Ambassador Auditorium

Ambassador Auditorium is located on the Maranatha High School campus (the former campus of Ambassador College) in Pasadena, California, USA. It was built under the guidance of Herbert W. Armstrong as both a facility to be used by the Worldwide Church of God for religious services and as a concert hall for public performances celebrating the performing arts. Its architectural design has been noted to be somewhat similar to that of the Temple of ancient Israel.

Brief history

Called by some concertgoers "The Carnegie Hall of the West", this relatively small yet beautiful concert hall hosted 20 seasons of the worlds' best musicians and performers from 1974 to 1995. It is estimated that 2.5 million attendees heard and saw over 2,500 concerts at Ambassador Auditorium by Pavarotti, Arthur Rubinstein, Bing Crosby, Sammy Davis Junior, Frank Sinatra, the Vienna Orchestra and many others during this period. With regard to classical music, the intimate feel of the venue was especially well suited to small ensembles, and soloists such as guitarists Julian Bream and John Williams.

At the time of its construction the building was furnished with Iranian onyx, African teak, wool carpet from India, and splendid gold overlay. It seats 1500. On January 26, 1996, National Public Radio staged a battle of the bands between the contending cities in Super Bowl 30. Pittsburgh's "River City Brass Band" played "Semper Fidelis" by John Philip Sousa and the "Battle Royal March" by Fred Jewell in concert at Ambassador Auditorium, followed by a performance from Dallas at the Meyerson Symphony Hall.

The Worldwide Church of God (WCG), which operated the college and auditorium, ceased operation of both in the 1990s and sold the property. [ [http://www.hwarmstrong.com/ar/AR45.html "Pasadena Property to be Sold", "Ambassador Report"] , Issue 45, September, 1990] The WCG later relocated its operations to nearby Glendora.

On May 14, 2004 the church announced the sale of approximately 13 acres (53,000 m²) of its former 31-acre (125,000 m²) campus to Harvest Rock Church and Maranatha High School. The sale included the Ambassador Auditorium, now under the [http://www.maranatha-hs.org/NewCampus/PressRelease.html sole ownership] of [http://www.harvestrockchurch.org Harvest Rock Church] of Pasadena, CA. Harvest Rock Church (HRC) is a Charismatic church founded in 1994 under senior pastor Che Ahn. Since the acquisition of Ambassador Auditorium HRC [http://www.sanmarinotribune.com/tribune/read/publisher_11/2004-12-23.06 has re-opened the venue to the public] and hosts many regional ensembles including the [http://www.myspace.com/colburnorchestra Colburn Orchestra] , [http://www.calphil.org/index2.html California Philharmonic] and the [http://www.pasadenasymphony.org/ Pasadena Symphony Orchestra] . Harvest Rock Church's services, conferences and special events are also held at the Auditorium along with Maranatha's. More information can be found at [http://theambassadorauditorium.com/ theambassadorauditorium.com]

References