Roy Thomson Hall Seat Endowment

In 1979, Oskar Morawetz gave a special 85th birthday gift to his mother by endowing two seats in Toronto's to-be-built new symphony hall (eventually named Roy Thomson Hall). The Chair of the Seat Endowment Campaign wrote the following letters to Morawetz and his mother.

May 31, 1979 Mrs. Frieda Morawetz:         I am delighted to inform you that two seats have been endowed in the New Massey Hall in your honour and in memory of your late husband as a special 85th Birthday gift from your son, Oskar.         What a beautiful way of bringing our new Hall closer to reality while at the same time receiving something meaningful and lasting in return!         Have a very happy birthday! Best wishes, Judy Simmonds Chairman Seat Endowment Program               Click here to see original letter

May 31, 1979 Mr. Oskar Morawetz University of Toronto Faculty of Music Edward Johnson Building Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1 Dear Oskar:         Many, many thanks for your positive and enthusiastic response to the New Massey Hall project! Your participation is very meaningful and deeply appreciated especially when one considers how much you contribute to Canada's musical scene.         The Fund office has noted your two seat plaques will read: TO THE MEMORY OF RICHARD MORAWETZ and IN HONOUR OF MRS. FRIEDA MORAWETZ.         Your support is helping to bring the New Massey Hall closer and closer to a realistic completion.         Your are an angel! Love, Judy Simmonds Chairman Seat Endowment Program   Click here to see original letter