Review: A Magical Evening at Hill Auditorium Attended with a meetup group and had my first taste of a live orchestra performed by PhD-level musicians from the University of Michigan's School of Music, Theatre & Dance. The concert ran close to two hours with a 15-minute intermission, and every moment was packed with talent and precision. The venue itself--Hill Auditorium--is absolutely magical. It's beautifully maintained, with acoustics that make every note feel immersive. Street parking was manageable, and the location is easy to access. What stood out most was the sheer artistry on display. From the world premiere of a contemporary overture to the grandeur of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, the performance was both intellectually rich and emotionally stirring. It's inspiring to see such high-level musicianship in an academic setting. They host monthly events, so if you're even slightly curious about orchestral music or just want a unique cultural experience, this is a gem worth revisiting. read more

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The positives: Historic concert hall with beyond excellent acoustics and a massive pipe organ. Right in the heart of Michigan's central campus. Famous for hosting the best artists, including Segovia, and its annual performances of Handel's Messiah. As a kid I always enjoyed the auditorium with its older style interior and impressive organ pipes lining the backstage. Sure, the original seating leaves a lot to be desired (too narrow, cramped), but it's really about the performance here, especially spectacle and sound. Over the years I attended many renditions of Handel's Messiah, seen numerous shuffling of soloists, such as a boy soprano when I was in middle school, various altos, contraltos, and more recently, a contra tenor. The audience participates during the Hallalujah Chorus, but at some point over the years, free sheet music stopped being handed out. I came to prefer the Sunday afternoon performances. Sometimes the Saturday night opener shows had nerves on display and even faster tempos than the usual time signatures suggest. This recent reacquiantance after years away from Ann Arbor really impressed me. The outstanding musicianship, the conductor, the soloists, and a renewed inspiration for the Baroque orchestrations. Truthfully, I was imagining lifting some of those really fast strings lines and writing melodic heavy meal tunes. Postmodernism at its best. read more

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Intimate while still seating 3500 people. By intimate, I mean you're going to be cramped and on top of whoever is next to you. The plus side, excellent acoustics and we had no problem finding parking. We were attending a Herbie Hancock performance. The interior is nice, but ehhh not great. No food or drink inside and no intermission. read more

Really beautiful theatre with tons of events offered. I've been a few times. The entryway and ticketing area is pretty cramped and crowded before a show, but the theatre itself is very nice. read more

Hill Auditorium - Performing Arts Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Clerk at ticket office named Maddie (Maddy?) ((Madi??) not sure how to spell her name but she was very helpful and kind. She helped my friend Connor get a last minute ticket in my section (right next to me) Super cool! Highly qualified and professional individual, love to see people like Maddie exceeding expectations in this industry. But since she is probably a college student, she is probably going to be a doctor or something, which is good news for people who need more kindness and professionalism in the world. Also had cool earrings. read more

Hill Auditorium - Me and connor - Performing Arts Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

A beautiful auditorium to see a concert or special event. The sound is incredible. I've sat in seats as close as the front row for a classical music performance and as far back as the balcony for a choral performance and each seat has sounded incredible. Seats, like many older auditoriums, are a bit on the tighter side, so those with longer legs may not have the most comfortable experience (particularly in the mezz/balcony) but it's not as bad as some theatres I've been to, particularly old theatres on Broadway, so this is fine. The UMS programming is fantastic and the signature performances for the Ann Arbor Folk Festival are also a treat to see here. The ambiance, programming, and more makes for a wonderful evening of culture and music in Ann Arbor. read more

Hill Auditorium - Performing Arts Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

I recently had the pleasure of enjoying the amazing acoustics of Hill Auditorium and I think it's an experience everyone should be able to enjoy at least once in Ann Arbor. Even from our seats on the Mezzanine level we had a great view of the stage and were able to enjoy every note played by the incredibly talented Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. So if you're looking for something to do, check out the University Musical Society website (UMS.org) and follow the steps below! 1. Purchase Tickets In Person (if you can) For single tickets, service fees of $3.00-$6.00 per ticket apply to all internet and phone orders. There are no fees for tickets purchased at the League Ticket Office or at the venue immediately before the performance. 2. Flash Your UofM Student Card! The University Musical Society (UMS) sets aside a limited quantity of student tickets in select seating areas at half-price. Purchase online at ums.org/students (Promo Code: STUDENTRUSH) or even better in person at the League Ticket Office to avoid the $3 online service fee. Note: students must be enrolled in a degree program. Student ID must be presented to pick up tickets. Limit of 2 tickets per student ID. See more at: http://ums.org/tickets/students 3. Walk to Hill Auditorium (if you can) Walking is preferable as parking in downtown Ann Arbor can be difficult and take longer than expected. If you need to drive, take a look at the list of parking structures on the UMS website (http://ums.org) and allow extra time! 4. Pick up Tickets For ticket sales and ticket pick-up, use the South Thayer Street entrance. The Ticket Office opens 90 minutes prior to the performance and remains open until 30 minutes after the performance begins. 5. Enjoy the performance! read more

Hill Auditorium - View from the Mezzanine level (Section 8) - Performing Arts Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Saw the Saturday evening folk fest venue in January 2024. Very interesting lineup of talent. I am not reviewing the artists or the staff. This is about the building itself. Hard to maneuver around the building. Especially for our dear older ones. Too many stairs. Too much incline on the main floor as you go to your seat. Seats are crammed together in every direction. Can't get in or out of your seat easily. Disturbs everyone around you. There are actually tripping hazards at the end of some rows. The acoustics are nice, but sensitive to the person behind the mixing console. What I would call the headliner act suffered a bad sound mix- her voice was so forward in the mix it was painful- it really dismissed the enjoyment factor. I am a semi-pro musician and producer with 50 years experience. This was my first venue at the Hill auditorium and it will be my last until the address the above issues. read more

This is another performance center where I've been fortunate enough to attend as both a performer and audience member. They say that Hill Auditorium was once acoustically perfect, meaning anywhere you sat, it sounded the same. According to the Wikipedia page, the architect dropped a pin on stage and someone had heard it in the very back. Apparently this has changed after the reconstruction, but it still sounds very, very beautiful. I've attended orchestras, jazz concerts, and speaker panels, and I've sat in the front section and the very top section. Every time, I still get great audio and the stage is very clear (though the top section is quite far away). Student tickets to most events are under $20, so it's still a great deal even if you have to sit in the back. As a performer, there's nothing better. The auditorium is huge, and the stage is also very spacious. Being able to perform in such a historical building is such an honor, and it is an opportunity I hope more people get to experience. How lucky are we to have such a great place on campus! read more

Hill Auditorium - Umich's Life Sciences Orchestra! - Performing Arts Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

What a beautiful place!! We went to see The Messiah for Christmas. I had never been to this venue before so our seats were a bit close to get the full beauty of it. We were seated and when the first movement started I was amazed. It was so lovely that I had to choke back the tears. I truly appreciate that they shut the doors and made everyone who was late, wait for a short break. The orchestra stopped about 10 minutes in and they opened the doors for about 5 minutes and restarted. No interruptions afterward or during the show by people wrestling around to get into seats. The only hard part is the acoustics are so amazing that if you decide to sneeze, cough, or fart, and there's a lull in the music, EVERYONE will know it was you. I'm just saying, don't eat cabbage or beans before an event:) Great show!!! read more

Hill Auditorium - Performing Arts Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

An amazing venue with not a bad floor seat in the house. Could not think of a better place to have recently seen the Tedeschi Trucks Band perform! Intimate and yet grand at the same time. Wonderful acoustics. Just gorgeous. We parked in the parking garage across the street for cheap. read more

Beautiful historic Hill Auditorium is a great venue. According to my neighbor, who is a UM alumni and retire Navy scientist, said that he has studied the acoustics in Hill Auditorium and it is nothing short of perfect. Now I don't know if he's spinning a yard, but can't deny that the accoustics are amazing. Yesterday, my family attended Mariachi Vargas performance. The harmonies weren't lost in the horns and strings of the 11 players. Leg room is good, on the main floor. Not so higher up. If you aren't on the tall side like we are, there really isn't a bad seat in the house. Not too big, not too small, but not good for dancing in the aisles. read more

I've been here a million times, and every time, I love going here. Beautiful place to see a concert or hear a talk ... Went there today for the David Sedaris event. Only complaint: seats are tiny! I'm 5'4 and my knees were knocking against the seat in front of me. My dad, who is 6'2, won't see events here because the seats are so uncomfortable for him. read more

Hill. You never cease to disappoint. Since my High School Graduation where I stole an honor society cord to get in the front of the line, to yesterday, you are still beautiful, well lit, comfy, and full of great entertainment. Every seat is a good seat, even the cheap ones. But spring for main floor, so you can really experience the beauty of the ceiling towering overhead. Be on time, because they don't interrupt performances. read more

Hill Auditorium is beautiful, has great acoustics, and a great variety of performances abound. I've seen an orchestral version of William Blake's Songs of Innocence and of Experience, Wilco (with Blanche opening), and Caetano Veloso, among others. Can we be honest about how ridiculously uncomfortable the seats are, though? At 5' 6", even I find the legroom severely lacking. My knees are always wedged against the row in front of me at a tight, bruise-inducing angle. Even the most uncomfortable flight I've ever been on (AirAsia, a budget Malaysian airline) was not this cramped and felt palatial compared to this (note: average height in Malaysia is 5' 4.8" for men, 5' 0.4" for women, vs. the United States: 5' 10.2" for men, 5' 4.6" for women). If this review were purely based on legroom, it would get 1 star (Yelp doesn't allow 0 or negative stars...). read more

My first date with my lovely wife included a concert here, when H.A. was slightly less than 70 years old. Nearly 35 years later, we returned for another event. I think it's a large and beautiful venue with great acoustics. But, obviously, I'm biased in favor of the place. Go Blue! read more

I love Hill Auditorium. It's beautiful both inside and out. The high, intricately decorated ceilings are not just great in looks but also for acoustics. I wish I could have seen more performances here. I was lucky enough to have a friend in campus band, so I went to at least 4 or 5 of her concerts there. The best concert I ever saw here was Ben Folds. My boyfriend at the time got tickets for his birthday, because he is one of his favorite musicians. I was amazed at how well the sound was. Not only is Ben Folds an awesome musician, but the venue greatly added to the appeal of this concert. I had a great time. I'll even miss this auditorium so much that my friends and I took some pictures in front of the pillars. It's just such beautiful architecture. read more

Great place for a concert. Saw the Avett Brothers here and it is a gorgeous venue. I sat in the balcony and while the sound was phenomenal it is really steep seating so I was a bit dizzy! It is also hard to see well from up there if someone is sitting in the seat directly in front of you. Besides that it was really clean, very well staffed, easy to navigate, plenty of parking nearby, started on time, wide staircases so you're not trapped in a tiny one with a crowd, very nice. I didn't check out the bathroom while I was there though so can't comment on those- though I'd be surprised if they weren't well kept and nice like the rest of the facility. Would definitely recommend seeing a show here - maybe next time I'll be on the main floor and can see if it's better or worse from down there! read more

Posted a detailed review a long time ago which seems to have disappeared. Anyway if you live in Ann Arbor for any length of time you will probably see a show at Hill through University Musical Society or some other organization. If you are a student it's a great deal as you get student tickets at huge discounts (so, students, even if you don't know an artist, but can get a deal ...go! you might find a new favorite song or musician). I've seen many, many concerts here. I love Hill as a venue for everything from musical shows to guest speakers and symposia. Even at the highest levels you get a very good view of the stage. And I've sat third or fourth row too on a few occasions and it's stunning how close you are. Acoustics are fantastic throughout the auditorium. There is a buzz here after a great performance as the audience noise carries very well as well. I remember so many great concerts of different types here. I remember spectacular rock performances where the audience in unison would sing along or turn on lighters (or the flashlight on their cell phones lol), amazing classical shows from world-renown performers (a great Yo Yo Ma show and some of the best piano concerts that I have seen), some legendary world music performances (an amazing Ravi Shankar tabla concert with his daughter - no not Norah Jones, but his other daughter Anoushka Shankar) and so many other powerful shows that are in my memory bank but would be too numerous to list here.. The university and student groups also use Hill for various events. For example, they used to have Mock Rock here for the athletic community and they also have various symposia here such as some of the speakers for the MLK symosium. The way to end this review is to say that this is my favorite venue in the area. I'm talking about the entire Detroit metro area and that includes such incredible places like the Fox Theater in Detroit and the Wharton Center in East Lansing. The energy here during a great performance is something you will remember forever I'm sure many musicians love playing here too. read more

Great acoustics, comfy seats, amazing show-- we've seen Gilberto Gil and Wynton Marsalis here! Check out a show soon! :) read more

Ah, concerts at Hill Auditorium ... a mainstay of my college student days. I used to read the Michigan Daily to find out when the Music School students were having recitals. You can attend those for free. I once saw Itzhak Perlman on a $5 student ticket. Once I had graduated and was still living in downtown A Squared, I was a volunteer usher for a while. It takes a lot of ushering seniority to be able to request to be an usher at Hill. Usually, you start out with one of the other venues, such as Rackham Auditorium or The Power Center. I asked to have my name put on the list of usher substitutes, and got to see many wonderful concerts at Hill Auditorium that way. Hill gets the large orchestras and larger dance troupes. Spectacular! The second balcony is a bit scary if you are afraid of heights. Just don't look down until you are seated and you'll be fine. read more

The location is central with lots of restaurants nearby to go before or after a show. The seats were easy enough to find. The ushers were great too. It was really comfortable and clean. The acoustics were fantastic. So good that you would have to be careful when it is quiet or everyone can hear whatever you are doing or saying! The Bavarian Radio Orchestra was brilliant & the Life Sciences Orchestra put up a fantastic performance too! read more

I saw Rusted Root here a long time ago and that evening the auditorium was cloaked in darkness. Visiting again, this time for my nephew's high school graduation commencement, it was the perfect venue for such a reverent ceremony. The stairs can get a little cramped and seats are stacked close together but still reasonably comfortable. The show stopper in this place though is the simple but elegant décor, the great lighting and the ambiance it draws. It was an intimate night for Rusted Root and even more so for commencement. read more

We went to the Hill Auditorium to watch the New York Philharmonic Orchestra a couple of weeks back. It was my first time in the auditorium. It is beautiful, with some of the best acoustics I have heard. We were sitting almost at the very top and it sounded like we were only a couple of feet away from the orchestra, not all the way at the back. I know it's quite an old setting, but I found that the seats were extremely narrow, and that I was constantly touching shoulders with either the person on my left or right. It made the auditorium feel very crowded. There was also, very little leg room, once you sat down. In fact, one guy in our row, got up and sat on the stairs just before the concert began. This is why the Hill didn't get it's fifth star! read more

Great location for live music. Accessible to great bars and restaurants downtown, nearby parking and great acts make this a favorite spot for a show in Ann Arbor. It also hosts the Ann Arbor Folk Festival. I have seen several shows here and am blown away by the acoustics. Four out of five because it can be a mob scene and the ushers/volunteers would rather sit on folding chairs instead of help direct traffic. I've been knocked into and pushed more than once which is super annoying and could be avoided were there more direction for the crowds, especially at natural breaks. read more

Great venue for a concert! Beautiful setting and good acoustics!

Great venue with ample seating that is perfect for any kind of performance. From speakers to plays and concerts, I always enjoy myself at Hill. I love the friendly ticket prices as well!!! read more

Hill Auditorium - Performing Arts Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Do I believe the claims -- that Hill auditorium has exceptional acoustics, special properties, is much beloved of the most famous superstar musicians, conductors, divas? That this is one of the big magnets that have been attracting top performers for over 100 years? Well, there are a lot of Ann Arbor myths that I've recently learned are just that: myths. So I guess I have to remain a skeptic. But it is a great place to go for concerts. read more

I've both been to and performed in concerts at Hill Auditorium and I have to say that this is one of the most beautiful concert venues I have ever seen. And that includes several across the pond in Europe. While I can't say much about the concerts (that kind of depends on the ticket you're either holding or considering buying), the venue itself is spectacular. My one complaint is the M in the center of the ceiling: not a Michigan M, what's up with that? read more

It's an ok joint I guess. I came here to see Annie DiFranco with a friend who had just broken up with his b/f and he had an extra ticket and didn't want to go alone. I guess it was a mercy mission because I voted for George Bush 3 times (John McCain is too liberal for my tastes- freaky granola eating, cactus hugging Arizona hippie) so I didn't really fit in with the Annie DiFranco fans. Also, my other friend came here to see the Moz with a girl he had previously sort of dated and her new boyfriend. That's pretty much the most Morrisey thing you could do. read more

Wow! It is absolutely gorgeous. Whether you are a fan of architecture or a fan of the arts or fall somewhere in between, the Hill Auditorium is a must see! I just saw Joshua Bell perform there. Even though I was at the tiptop of the balcony, the acoustics and the view of the stage were both excellent. read more

A stunning beautiful concert hall with amazing acoustics, you can't ask for a better place to see a large-scale concert than Hill Auditorium. We are here a few times a year to see performances ranging from symphony orchestras to the varied acts of the Ann Arbor Folk Festival and Hill never disappoints. There is not a bad seat in the house - there is a main floor and two tiers of balconies. Event parking is usually available close by local parking garages for a fixed price (like 5 dollars). read more

I saw The Avett Brothers play here for my first visit to the venue and was not disappointed. I am not from the area so I wasn't previously familiar with the venue but was pleasantly surprised with my positive experience. The staff was friendly and helpful, the acoustics were fantastic, and it seemed as if there are no bad seats in the place. I would highly recommend seeing a show here if you're in the area! read more

I recently had my first experience here for AA folk fest. Although I did have a good time and really enjoyed the music, I have to say that I was a little disappointed with this venue after having so many people tell me how great it is. We did have nosebleed seats that put us only a few rows down from the top of the balcony. So this could be part of the problem. These are the issues I had in order of how annoying they were: 1. The sound: Mostly good until the bass clef instruments started playing at higher volumes. This caused really bad echoed sounds that were painful to listen to. I originally thought this was a problem with the PA operators, but I actually think it is just the acoustics of this place, because some of the unamplified instruments (upright bass, sousaphone) had this problem as well. 2. The view: fine when unobstructed, but if there are people anywhere close to you getting in or out of their seats, you can't see a thing. 3. The leg room: I am by no means a tall person, but I still felt a little cramped in my seat. 4. The other concertgoers. This was actually the most annoying thing, but since it is of no fault of the venue I'll give them a break. We happened to be sitting right next to three drunk sorority girls. They were either talking or playing on their gigantic, bright cell phones the entire time. Everyone around them was shushing them, which only caused them to shut up for a minute or two before going right back at it. They were also as a group constantly going back and forth to the lobby which every time caused an entire row of people to stand up to let them in or out. If by any chance, any of these girls happen to read this review; please know that you are all horrible, selfish people! I apologize for that rant. Again, I do not blame the Hill for this at all. I would definitely give this place another chance if given the opportunity, but would probably try to get better seats on the main floor. read more

Seriously, Mae, do you think so? I've seen AMAZING artists here over the years. So the acoustics may be hype, but the chance to see artists who go on to be big later is one that's precious! read more

The box office staff are horrible. They are unfriendly and take no responsibility for their mistakes. I experienced a horrible tracking method for tickets purchased online (they gave my ticket I purchased to someone else) and its a shame that this is an extension of the University of Michigan because of the lack of organization and unsavory people they put into a service position to help deescalate problems. Bad experience with the ticket office, however great experience once I got inside of the auditorium. It's a beautiful venue and I look forward to the improvements made on the staff they hire in the future to make this a great experience over all. read more

Hill Auditorium - Unsavory employee - Performing Arts Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

The nose bleed seats are a bit cramped for this place to be located in the Midwest if you know what I mean! That said, the experience of the music and the acoustics are really great, even if you are slightly compressed by your neighbors. The acts that they get are world famous but even the local talent is remarkable. read more

Very cozy and intimate is how I would describe this place. We saw the Ann Arbor Folk Fest here-it was a fantastic show and we had a great view of the stage. Obviously since it is on a college campus, no alcohol is involved. We pre-partied before hand and had some "fancy" Sprite's in the lobby in between sets...I would definitely come back to see a show here again. read more

Hill Auditorium seems designed and built for short, smallish people. I am 5' 9" and I am unable to sit with my legs straight ahead and forget about crossing your legs. I do not think they understood the concept of being able to see the stage placing the seats for maximum view blockage. Yes the acoustics are impressive even in the bathroom while you miss out on the next act waiting for a free stall. read more

I was shocked at how bad the sound was at the She & Him concert on 7/2 ... for both the opening band and the headliner, who each used different soundmen, leading me to believe that it's an issue with the venue and not the soundmen. You could hear Zooey's vocals pretty well (in fact, they were often turned up too high) but as soon as other instruments kicked in, it all became a muddy blur. Most tragic of all, even when M. Ward was playing a guitar solo, the only way you knew that he was playing was by watching him...you couldn't hear it at all. Extremely disappointing. Of the hundreds of live concerts I've been to in the last 20 years or so, this easily ranks among the worst in terms of the sound. Very disappointing, especially since all the reviews on here talk about how great the acoustics are in here. Maybe that is true for a vocal group or a string symphony, but I would never suggest going to see a rock band here. Truly abysmal sound. read more