Ideas for Rescuing Disney Hall

It’s regrettable that architect Frank O. Gehry believes his reputation has suffered because of delays in constructing the imaginative Walt Disney Concert Hall (“Gehry Tries to Rebuild Image After Disney Hall,” Part A, May 30). He certainly should not be blamed for the complex financial obstacles that have made us wait for the new structure he has designed for Bunker Hill that will house the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and Los Angeles Master Chorale, and will offer enduring quality of life benefits for Los Angeles. Nor should his lament leave the impression that the hall will not be built.

On the contrary, as the article about Gehry pointed out, efforts are underway to get the project moving again. So this is not a time to lose heart but rather to demonstrate it bravely. Los Angeles is in a prime position for everyone to unite around the downtown Civic Center and Music Center. We still have an opportunity to participate in making this venture work, to contribute to a wide-reaching economic revitalization as well as a cultural legacy.

How can the Disney Hall mission succeed? Just revisit the record.

Back in the early ‘60s, Dorothy Buffum Chandler set into motion a massive campaign to build L.A. a performing arts center. She coalesced a multilayered support system: public and private, city and county, community and corporate, staff and volunteer. People from all walks of life unified to realize Mrs. Chandler’s vision. They overcame daunting challenges to commence the construction. By 1967, the three-theater complex was in full operation. And the Music Center has served brilliantly ever since--for 32 years nonstop.

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The center’s volunteer tradition continues to keep pace, with about 40 groups providing the services of thousands. I have had the opportunity to coordinate the volunteers for the last two years and I know that this group is divergent yet unanimous in our passion for the arts and eager to see our new hall become a reality. Volunteers have long recognized the demands required of the Chandler Pavilion stage with its back-to-back performances, virtually nullifying any potential opportunities for musical theater, dance and jazz series. In other words, Disney Hall is a necessity--to provide innovative performances; to usher in new generations of audiences; to free-up space and time constraints so that artists can be properly engaged.

If we work together, the entire community can cause this architectural landmark to open its doors. Individually, each of us can certainly act on this issue:

* Donate some time--discuss the Concert Hall project with family, friends and co-workers; communicate your ideas and support to the county government, which owns the land where Disney Hall will be situated.

* Attend free plaza events, festivals, programs, theater tours, etc.

* Consider volunteering with Music Center service organizations and resident company support groups for the Philharmonic, L.A. Opera, L.A. Master Chorale, Center Theatre Group’s Mark Taper Forum/Ahmanson, the Music Center Education Division.

* Pledge financial support--reflect in a tangible way how the arts have supported you; attend regular and discount-priced Music Center performances; try out the new public transit routes and shuttle services to get to and from the Music Center.

* Browse Music Center publications for calendars of events, arts news and information, facility updates, volunteer news, upcoming Internet activities and more.

Participate in this quintessential L.A. experience. Ultimately, it will be the Walt Disney Concert Hall itself that shall perform for us, very likely becoming what has eluded this metropolis until now--a powerful symbol and a “brave heart,” our indisputable center, our keynote meeting place. This stunning visual connector and popular urban culture center will align the Music Center with the world’s renowned performing arts institutions.

It can still make Frank Gehry’s day--and ours.