Sonoma State University has received a $3 million gift from Evert and Norma Person for the proposed Green Music Center, boosting funding to within $1 million of the projected $39 million needed to begin the project.

"This gift by the Persons was pivotal, because it helps assure that we can begin construction," said SSU Vice President for Development Stuart Jones. "We're wanting to fast-track the project."

During the past 2 1/2 years, the bleak economy has slowed the fund-raising efforts of both the university and its partner, the Santa Rosa Symphony, which will perform at the center.

Now within sight of its goal, the university projects it could start construction of the 1,400-seat concert hall as early as the spring of 2004, provided it can raise the final $1 million, secure construction bids and gain approval from the California State University board of trustees by that time.

"Norma and I are pleased and delighted to help build what will be one of the finest concert halls in the nation," said Evert Person, former Press Democrat owner-publisher.

"It is our hope that the partnership between an outstanding university and a leading regional symphony will preserve and enrich the cultural arts of this region for generations to come."

The Persons, longtime patrons of the arts and education, have already lent considerable support to Sonoma State University, helping to build the 475-seat Evert B. Person Theatre and establishing a $3 million endowment for performing arts students.

If construction does begin on the music center this spring, the concert hall would open for public performances in the fall of 2006. The Green Music Center is expected to be a major arts venue and cultural magnet for the region, which already draws visitors attracted to the natural beauty of Wine Country.

"This gift was an extraordinary act of generosity," Santa Rosa Symphony Music Director Jeffrey Kahane said. "The Green Music Center will transform not only the music experience of everyone involved with the symphony, but also the cultural lives of thousands of people all over the North Bay."

To raise the remaining $1 million, the fund-raising campaign plans to reach out to smaller donors interested in supporting the project.

"We'll broaden the appeal of the campaign to the larger community," Jones said. "There will be ongoing fund-raising to complete the project and start building an endowment."

The concert hall is modeled after Tanglewood's Seiji Ozawa Hall in Lenox, Mass., which features a back wall that opens out to additional lawn seating. In addition to the Santa Rosa Symphony, the hall will be used by various SSU departments, guest artists and community groups.

Maureen and Don Green, a telecommunications entrepreneur, made the initial $10 million pledge to the music center in 1997 to get the fund-raising ball rolling.

Other major contributors include Jacques and Barbara Schlumberger, the Schulz Fund (the Community Foundation of Sonoma County), the Trione Foundation, Herb and Janet Dwight, and John and Jennifer Webley.