Guest Contributor

Dec. 23, 2015:  On December 16, members of the Bronxville Board of Education joined Superintendent David Quattrone, other administrators, and faculty to welcome over 100 Bronxville residents, including many alumni, parents, donors, and other supporters, for the official dedication of the renovated Bronxville School auditorium.

Surrounded by posters and awards commemorating past theatrical and musical performances, visitors enjoyed refreshments and the sounds of chamber music in the side lobby adjacent to the auditorium prior to the official presentation.

After opening remarks by Dr. Quattrone, the Bronxville High School Chorus began the program with a stirring performance of the "Star-Spangled Banner," delivered from positions on the side balcony overlooking the crowd. 

School board president Denise Tormey and facilities committee chair David Brashear welcomed those in attendance. The main purpose of the evening was not only to celebrate the completion of construction, but also to thank those whose financial support, creativity, and dedication made the project possible.

Tormey noted that "the finished product exceeds our most ambitious aspirations for the space" and singled out district architects KG&D Architects (whose team included Russ Davidson, Sue Davidson, Brian Mangan, and Erik Wilson) for their enormous contribution in designing a state-of-the-art facility that will serve the needs of the district and be a community resource for years to come.

Tormey also thanked the team from Park East Construction (which included Tony Spallone and James Wojcik), which acted as the district's representative throughout the construction phase, and the Bronxville School administration for its perseverance in navigating through many unforeseen developments. 

Brashear expressed appreciation to former board president and facilities committee chair Dr. James Hudson, past and present members of the facilities committee, The Bronxville School Foundation (whose representatives include Tacey Carroll, Ashley Hanrahan, and Peggy Williams), and the PTA for their steadfast support throughout the project.

He also thanked those who spearheaded the fundraising efforts of the groups known as "Staging Our Future" (whose co-chairs were Priscilla Newman and Louise Parzick) and "The Final Act" (whose co-chairs were Christine Fitzgibbons, Steve Kraemer, and Jennifer Mackesy), whose financial support enabled the district to build not only an adequate facility, but one that is visually, technically, and acoustically superior and provides maximum flexible seating capacity for our school. To highlight the technical sophistication of the venue, faculty member and technical director Brad Ashley provided a demonstration of the computer-operated lighting system. 

District funds for the project (including the middle school science labs) totaled approximately $7.5 million, augmented by approximately $2.5 million raised by The Bronxville School Foundation, the Bronxville PTA, and private donors.

The evening concluded with the rising of the royal blue stage curtain over the newly restored proscenium as the high school chorus, accompanied by audience members, gave a rousing rendition of the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah, leaving those in attendance wishing the performance had continued.

To see photos of the opening ceremony, click here: Grand Opening of Renovated Bronxville School Auditorium.

Pictured here:  The Bronxville High School Orchestra and Chorus performing at the opening ceremony of the renovated auditorium.

Photo above and photos in the link by S. Quinn DeJoy