Considerations of Reverberation, Variable by Nonelectronic Means, in the Design of a Small Concert Hall

Abstract

This paper presents a brief discussion of the design of the Warner Concert Hall at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. This hall has been designed for music performance only, but even so, some variation is required in the acoustics: There is considerable emphasis on organ instruction at the Conservatory; at the same time, there will be extensive use of this concert hall for piano recitals requiring much less reverberation. The acoustical design provides for significant changes in the reverberation time for various types of music performance, and also provides adjustment for changing audience size.