UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music receives $3 million to renovate theater

The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music has renovated the 133-seat theater in the Schoenberg Music Building thanks to a $3 million gift from the Herb Alpert Foundation. The theater was renamed Lani Hall, in honor of Alpert's wife, the singer Lani Hall. "I was attracted to the idea of combining forces with the university to create a jewel of a performance space with excellent acoustics for the school's students, faculty and audiences," said Alpert, the pioneering musician who started the foundation with Hall. "Lani is the girl of my dreams. I know she does not seek this type of attention, but I was thrilled to surprise her with this recognition of her own artistry and to celebrate our 46th wedding anniversary." The refurbished venue was unveiled Dec. 15 with an intimate performance featuring vocalist Barbara Morrison, a UCLA adjunct professor; vocalist Gretchen Parlato, a UCLA alumna; and students from the music school. In addition to showcasing the new space, the opening event highlighted the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA , which Alpert helped bring to UCLA in 2011, and the global jazz studies program, which has benefited from his foundation's philanthropy.