Designed by renowned acoustician Cyril Harris, the Foellinger Great Hall is considered one of the premiere concert halls in the country by the visiting artists and the School of Music faculty who perform there. The 2,066 plush seats, which were completely restored in 1995, fill the main floor, balcony, and a choral balcony behind the stage, allowing ample space for patrons using wheelchairs. The hardwood stage has no proscenium or drapery and measures 60 feet wide by 48 feet deep.
The wood surfaces of the seat backs and the golden butternut walls contribute to the exceptional acoustics. No amplification or reinforcement is needed for music, but reinforcement may be necessary for the spoken word. The hall has been used for recordings by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, as well as by the University of Illinois' own Sinfonia da Camera. Concert lighting and two Super Trouper followspots are available. There are two star dressing rooms and a green room for the Great Hall.