Symphony Hall was completed in 1972, as part of the Phoenix Civic Plaza, and quickly became the home of the People's Pops Concert founded in 1970 by Theresa Elizabeth Perez, Music Coordinator for the City of Phoenix (1969-1983), which has been performed at Phoenix College. Theresa's Children's Opera Series (Help, Help, the Globolinks! Noye's Fludde, and Beauty is Fled) were also presented at Symphony Hall.
As well as being the home of the Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Opera and Ballet Arizona, it is also the site for Broadway touring companies, a variety of dance productions, and appearances by popular entertainers, as well as the location for business seminars, and convention general sessions.
In June 2004, a $18.5 million renovation took place, in conjunction with the construction of the neighboring Phoenix Convention Center West Building.
Symphony Hall now features 2,312 seats, with wood bases for better acoustics. Reconfigured main-floor cross aisles, additional elevators and a new wheelchair seating section, greatly improve accessibility for patrons with disabilities and updates compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. There is a 60-foot x 100-foot (18.29m x 30.48m) stage area, high technology acoustical, lighting, rigging and sound systems, a Green Room, rehearsal hall and star, chorus and musicians dressing rooms.
It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride.[1]