Reflections on the acoustical design of halls for music performance

Abstract

The experiences of some 40 years of research and consulting in the design of concert halls, opera houses, and theaters are reviewed, beginning with the author's first professional projects under the leadership of the late Professor Edward C. Cole at Yale University through the recently completed Morton H. Meyerson symphony center in Dallas, TX. Included are the author's reflections on countless projects throughout North America and abroad during and following his “BBN years” during which he pioneered collaborative efforts integrating theater engineering and planning with the vitally interdependent discipline of acoustics. Some fundamental requirements for realizing satisfactory listening environments in halls for music performance are reviewed.