Concert-goers and culture-lovers are being offered the chance to purchase a seat for posterity as part of a multimillion-pound fundraising drive to renovate an iconic city centre venue.
Council arms-length body Aberdeen Performing Arts is spearheading the campaign to raise nearly £8million for the transformation of the Music Hall.
The initiative has already secured celebrity backing from such personalities as Aberdeenshire music star, Emeli Sande, and singer, actress and broadcaster Fiona Kennedy.
And now, APA is asking north-east residents to ‘take a seat’ at the venue permanently – by engraving their names onto the chairs with money going towards the fundraising drive.
The organisation’s chairman, Craig Pike said: “Throughout the transformation process, we have looked to users of the hall to share their stories of the venue and influence the future of this fantastic building.
“With that in mind, it made perfect sense to launch a campaign that allows people to take on a little piece of the Music Hall for themselves.”
The first berths to benefit from the scheme were sponsored by Ms Kennedy, who has engraved one seat in her own name and a second in that of her husband – Francis Clark.
She added: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to name the first seat in the restored Music Hall auditorium.
“It holds so many precious memories for me and my family, passed on from generation to generation.”
Deputy council leader Marie Boulton, whose remit includes culture in the city and who sits on the board of APA, said: “I think this is an innovative way to raise funds to give people something for their money rather than just asking for it.”
The seats are on sale to the general public from today and can be named for £400 for one and £700 for two, or £450 for one and £800 for two.
For more information and to inquire about naming a seat, contact Lauren O’Neill on (01224) 337640 or email takeaseat@aberdeenperformingarts.com.
To date, £6.4m of the £7.9m Music Hall Transformation target has been raised.
