Oxford University's cultural and musical life is set for a remarkable enhancement, thanks to a generous donation from the Sohmen family to the Humanities Division. This significant gift will
enrich the experience of both undergraduate and graduate students across all disciplines while enabling Oxford to connect with audiences worldwide.
The donation was formalised today during a signing ceremony at the Radcliffe Humanities building, attended by a representative of the Sohmen family and Oxford’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Irene Tracey.
A central feature of the gift is the creation of a new 500-seat venue, which will be named the Sohmen Concert Hall. Purpose-built to host world-class performances across a wide spectrum of musical genres, the hall is designed to become a globally renowned cultural and artistic landmark. It will foster pioneering research collaborations, inspire creative projects, and provide a platform for musical innovation and discovery.
Equipped with state-of-the-art technical and recording facilities, as well as live-streaming capabilities, the Sohmen Concert Hall will allow Oxford to engage with new audiences both in the UK and internationally. The venue will be located within the Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, which will be open to the public upon its completion.
The gift is dedicated to honouring Dr Helmut Sohmen, whose lifelong passion for classical music has shaped his philanthropic efforts in the arts. Dr Sohmen’s contributions include his leadership as Chairman of Hong Kong's Academy of Performing Arts, commissioning new musical works, establishing international scholarships, and endowing composition prizes in both Austria and Hong Kong.
Professor Dan Grimley, Head of Humanities at Oxford University, said:
“We are deeply grateful to the Sohmen family for their generous and far-sighted support of students, music-making and the humanities. Their gift will enable audiences in Oxford and beyond to enjoy performances in the Sohmen Concert Hall for generations to come. Visitors to the Hall will enjoy some of the most celebrated musicians in the world in outstanding acoustics, as well as experience innovative student- and research-led performances of the highest calibre.”
The Sohmen Concert Hall is scheduled to open as part of the Schwarzman Centre in autumn 2025. Photo by Sidharth Bhatia sidharthbhatia, Wikimedia commons.