Performing Arts Facilities in Schools

Click to enlarge Renovated hall.

In the hall, the traditional stage was removed and portable staging is erected as required. A control box was installed in a mezzanine, lighting bars erected, and fabric panels attached to walls to improve acoustics.

Click to enlarge Twin insulating doors.

The main music classroom connects directly with the hall through carpeted twin insulating doors, enabling easy use of the hall for breakout groups and large group rehearsals.

Careful consideration was given to furniture and fittings throughout the music suite, and many are custom-made.

Click to enlarge Drawers.

Click to enlarge Keyboard benches.

In the main music room, fittings include computer and keyboard benches, and drawers with hand-holes at the ends so they can be removed and used as carry boxes. Stand-alone air conditioning was added later to provide quiet heating and ventilation as the room has few opening windows.

Smaller existing music classrooms have gabled ceilings lined with softboard to provide satisfactory acoustics, but in a rehearsal room sheets of hardboard have been tacked to the ceiling to 'warm up' the acoustics.

Click to enlarge Music cupboard.

Features elsewhere in the music suite include a custom-designed CD and equipment cupboard with a roller door. There are twin insulating doors to practice rooms, and adjustable shelving for instrument storage that is more useful than the fixed shelving installed by many schools.

Practice rooms have locks with security keypads rather than keys (which can be lost) and approved students are given the code.