Vintie Beall's Legacy: 100 Years of Music at Beall Hall

A century of music resonates within Beall Concert Hall, yet its namesake, Robert Vinton "Vintie" Beall Jr., a deaf 1897 alumnus of the University of Oregon, never heard its melodies.

A talented young musician who played cornet in his hometown of Central Point, Oregon, Beall's hearing was tragically lost due to spinal meningitis. Before his death, he made a substantial bequest that funded the hall’s famous Jürgen Ahrend organ. The hall was subsequently named in his honor in 1973.

The little-known story of Beall’s deafness was unearthed by UO School of Music and Dance student Jack Mcgaughey who conducted research for the hall’s centennial celebration this April.

"I think that just goes to show that music is something that can and should be experienced by all people no matter how you experience life," McGaughey said.

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The project was initiated by his research methods instructor, Dr. Lindsey Rodgers, an SOMD faculty member.

Dr. Lindsey Rodgers, Instructor of Musicology and Organ Music speaks with KWAX about Beall's history and the 100th anniversary celebration weekend

Beall Concert Hall designed by architect Ellis F. Lawrence, showcases exceptional acoustics inspired by Boston Symphony Hall.

A century of music resonates within Beall Concert Hall, yet its namesake, Robert Vinton Beall Jr., a deaf 1897 alumnus of the University of Oregon, never heard its melodies.

A talented young musician who played cornet in his hometown of Central Point, Oregon, Beall's hearing was tragically lost due to spinal meningitis. Before his death, he made a substantial bequest that funded the hall’s famous Jürgen Ahrend organ. The hall was subsequently named in his honor in 1973.

The little-known story of Beall’s deafness was unearthed by UO School of Music and Dance student Jack Mcgaughey who conducted research for the hall’s centennial celebration this April.

"I think that just goes to show that music is something that can and should be experienced by all people no matter how you experience life," McGaughey said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by UO School of Music and Dance (@uosomd)

The project was initiated by his research methods instructor, Dr. Lindsey Rodgers, an SOMD faculty member.

Dr. Lindsey Rodgers, Instructor of Musicology and Organ Music speaks with KWAX about Beall's history and the 100th anniversary celebration weekend

Beall Concert Hall designed by architect Ellis F. Lawrence, showcases exceptional acoustics inspired by Boston Symphony Hall.

Vintie Beall's monetary gift, intended as a memorial to pioneer women, has enriched the university and the community from the first weekend of performances.

One of the first people to perform in the hall was Rose McGrew, who was a world-renowned opera singer and vocal faculty member. She sang so beautifully, the audience demanded an encore, SOMD student Jaclyn Beck learned while researching for Rodgers’ class.

"This really goes to show the incredible community engagement and the caliber of music that’s been performed in the hall for a century," Beck said.

Dr. Lindsey Rodgers looking through historic documents with Jacklyn Beck in Knight Library's Special Collections and University Archives
Dr. Lindsey Rodgers looking through historic documents with Jacklyn Beck in Knight Library's Special Collections and University Archives

Vintie Beall's monetary gift, intended as a memorial to pioneer women, has enriched the university and the community from the first weekend of performances.

One of the first people to perform in the hall was Rose McGrew, who was a world-renowned opera singer and vocal faculty member. She sang so beautifully, the audience demanded an encore, SOMD student Jaclyn Beck learned while researching for Rodgers’ class.

"This really goes to show the incredible community engagement and the caliber of music that’s been performed in the hall for a century," Beck said.