Saint Cecilia's Hall

Saint Cecilia's Hall
The facade of Saint Cecilia's Hall in St. Scholastica's College Manila
Location within Metro Manila
General information
Architectural style Egyptian Revival architecture
Address Leon Guinto Street
Town or city Malate, Manila
Country Philippines
Coordinates 14°33′51″N 120°59′39″E / 14.5642°N 120.9941°E / 14.5642; 120.9941Coordinates: 14°33′51″N 120°59′39″E / 14.5642°N 120.9941°E / 14.5642; 120.9941
Completed 1894
Renovated 1998
Design and construction
Architect Andres Luna de San Pedro OR Joel R. Lopez and Obi Mapua Jr.
Civil engineer Pedro Siochi y Angeles (1886-1951) who is a native of Malabon, Rizal and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Ghent, Belgium
Renovating team
Architect Joel R. Lopez

Saint Cecilia's Hall is a concert hall in Manila, Philippines. Opened in 1932, it is attached to St. Scholastica's College, Manila and is a noted example of Art Deco architecture.[1]

History

The Conservatory of Music of St. Scholastica's College was founded in 1907 by Sister Baptista Battig OSB, herself a noted concert pianist. In 1932 with the growing popularity of concert music in Manila, Philippines, St. Scholastica's College built a concert hall and named it St. Cecilia's Hall.[1] It was built under the supervision of the renowned engineering firm Pedro Siochi and Company.[2] The hall was named after Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music and musicians, and soon become the venue of numerous recitals and concerts featuring pianists from St. Scholastica's College-Manila. St. Cecilia's Hall host not only their student's performance venue needs but also Manila's growing social calendar. The forerunner to the Cultural Center of the Philippines, St. Cecilia's Hall was designed by a notable Filipino architect, Andres Luna de San Pedro[1] in the Egyptian Art Deco style.

In 1945, St. Cecilia's Hall was almost completely damaged by the American forces during the Liberation of Manila. Nine years later, reconstruction started under the supervision of Architect Roberto Novenario and Engineer Ramon del Rosario.[2] In 1955, St. Cecilia's Hall reopened and soon assumed the premier concert venue in Manila, with famous mucisian both Filipino and Foreign performers performing on its stage. With the emergence of performing arts on St. Scholastica's campus, it was also the setting of many concerts, plays, pageants and oratorical contests. In the latter years, with the opening of bigger performing arts venue, soon St. Cecilia's Hall become confined purely to school affairs. In 1998, St. Cecilia's Hall again underwent extensive renovation and reopened in July 16, 2000. The interior went into a complete modern restructuring and design led by Architect Joel Lopez and Architect Obi Mapua. A year into its renovation, the National Historical Institute (today National Historical Commission of the Philippines) declared the St. Cecilia's Hall as a National Cultural Landmark, underscoring its importance and contributions in the cultural development of the country.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Noche, Manuel Maximo (2009). Art Deco in the Philippines. p. 8.
  2. 1 2 "History of St. Cecilia's Hall". St. Scholastica's College. Retrieved 21 June 2018.

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