The opening of the Eastman East Wing in December 2010 was the culmination of a multi-year construction project and the realization of George Eastman’s original plan for the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester.
Eastman, who founded the photo giant Eastman Kodak Company and the music school that bears his name, wanted the School and the Eastman Theatre to span Main Street from Gibbs to Swan Streets. When one of the building owners demanded too high a price, Eastman refused and built around the property. It was in the 1960s that the University of Rochester acquired the land on which the Eastman East Wing now sits.
Since 2004, the Eastman School has completed a project that included stage and hall improvements in Eastman Theatre and the addition of a new building with state-of-art-rehearsal, performance, and teaching spaces. With the completed renovation of the new Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, and the opening of the spectacular new Eastman East Wing, the Eastman School of Music celebrates its great legacy and continues its evolution as a leader in preparing students for a changing music environment.
Eastman East Wing
- Eastman East Wing and Festival Week Photos
- Interior Construction Photos
- Exterior Construction Photos
Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre
- Inside Kodak Hall
- Opening of Kodak Hall Slide Show
- What’s Old is New Again Panorama — Democrat and Chronicle
- Renovation Progress Photo Gallery
- Kodak Hall Grand Opening News & Resources
Select News Coverage
Urban Journal: The Eastman Success (links to online story)
City, October 13, 2009
Harmonious Halls (opens as PDF)
Democrat and Chronicle, Dec. 5, 2010
East East Wing: The long-awaited expansion comes to life (opens as PDF)
Rochester Business Journal, Dec. 3, 2010
Inside ESM’s New Building (links to online story)
City, Dec. 1, 2010
Urban Journal: The Eastman Success
City, Oct. 13, 2009
Hearing the Difference in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre
WXXI FM, Oct. 8, 2009
New name, improved sound for transformed Eastman Theatre
Batavia Daily News, Oct. 8, 2009
New Sound, New Name for Eastman Theatre
YNN, Oct. 8, 2009
Renovation and Expansion Project Press Releases
Festival Week for Opening of New Eastman East Wing Features Dedication Concert, Chamber Music Marathon (November 30, 2010)
Eastman School of Music to Open New Wing, Marking Completion of George Eastman’s Original Plan (November 15, 2010)
Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre Opens to the Public (Oct. 7, 2009)
Eastman Kodak Company Commits $10 Million to Help Complete Founder’s Original Vision for Eastman Theatre (Apr. 11, 2008)
George Eastman’s Vision To be Realized (Sept. 10, 2007)
$8 Million State Grant Jump-Starts Next Phase of Renovations for Historic Eastman Theatre (Mar. 16, 2007)
Official Unveiling of New Theatre Stage (Sept. 20, 2004)
Major Renovation of Theatre Stage Announced (Feb. 14, 2003)