About the Desautels Concert Hall

The Desautels Concert Hall is the grand finale of the Taché Arts Project, which has transformed our facilities for the performing arts. The concert hall is nestled in a central space on the University of Manitoba Fort Garry campus. It sits behind Taché Hall, one of the university's most historic buildings. The public can enter on Maclean Crescent through the glass-wrapped lobby. The lobby looks upon a landscaped courtyard, which provides an intimate outdoor gathering space.

The concert hall’s inspired design is the work of Winnipeg’s Cibinel Architecture and Toronto’s Teeple Architects. Both Cibinel partners, George Cibinel [BES/77] and Michael Robertson [BA/98, MArch/04], are UM graduates, as is Tomer Diamant [BEnvD/04] of Teeple.

The hall can be configured three ways to create an optimal acoustic and viewing environment for a variety of performances: 

• A large stage for orchestral groups
• A small stage for jazz ensembles, chamber groups and vocal recitals
• A proscenium stage (with wings) for theatre and dance performances. This layout can also host opera and musical theatre productions with an orchestra pit for 48 musicians

The hall's flexibility is accomplished with an adjustable concert shell system of moveable towers, pivoting panels and ceiling reflectors. This system is then seamlessly integrated into the house, merging audience and performer by diminishing the usual separation created by a traditional proscenium.

The hall features catwalks over the stage to allow for rigging scenery or adding lighting and draperies and a technical booth at the back of hall.

The design also includes a green room, multiple dressing rooms, and ample storage space. Front-of-house includes a reception area, food and beverage concession, and ticket booth. 

The concert hall is currently on track to achieve the LEED Silver designation for green building standards.

• A venue where students and faculty can shine

  The concert hall provides UM musicians — students and instructors alike — with a state-of-the art venue for their performances. For students, the valuable performance experience the hall provides is critical to their training.

• A stellar acoustic experience

  Using sound-absorbing curtains and reflector panels, the concert hall can be acoustically tuned for the specific needs of a variety of musical and theatre performances and lectures.

• A space for Winnipeg's artistic community

  With its flexible stage design and intimate seating layout, the concert hall will be an ideal venue for a variety of Winnipeg's musical and artistic organizations, creating expanded performance opportunities for them in a beautiful setting.

• On-site rehearsal spaces and recording facilities

  The concert hall is connected to bright, new rehearsal spaces where performers can warm up and rehearse before and during events. The hall also features professional recording capabilities to capture live performances.