$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ for wooden chairs. I heard that our wooden chairs with rush or rattan seating cost $500 per. AND they are no longer sturdy but very heavy. Many need to be reglued at the joints because of shrinking dowls. They do not stack and they are way too heavy. The upholstered Wenger are very comfortable, stack, are extremely sturdy and don't come apart at the seams. The footprint of the Wengers are also much smaller that typical metal folding chairs. BUT since the choir sits in the architectural choir before the altar in a very carved wooden Episcopal Church, the Wengers would not look lovely as do our lovely wooden seating.

 

S

Dear Holly,

I would suggest checking out several 'church furnishings' places (we used Sauder). You will find chairs in quite an array of styles, colors and options, such as an under-seat hymnal/music shelf. I don't know how the prices will compare to the Symphony chairs, but it may be hard to combine beauty, sturdiness and good back support with low prices.

Dan Ratelle

First Unitarian Church of San Diego

danratelle(a)cox.net

Holly: I suggest you wait and find what really works for you. I hope you consider the weight of each chair and the ability to stack them - I think these are two important factors.

Have you considered asking a local designer or architect to do some sourcing? They have contacts that the general public doesn't have access to. It is worth a try in my opinion.

N

Here's a related ChoralNet Resource.