Undersized music ensemble rooms: Challenges and case study design approaches

Abstract

Music ensemble rooms require sufficient volume to develop adequate and appropriate reverberation, facilitate ensemble balance, and avoid excess loudness. Typical design practice begins with establishing minimum volume requirements based on expected ensemble sizes and types. When faced with inadequate room volume (e.g., due to existing building limitations, or otherwise), creative design solutions must be employed to achieve the best possible hearing conditions—and to avoid excess loudness in particular, which can be an occupational hazard for musicians. Case studies will illustrate a variety of design approaches: adding volume to existing spaces at the Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam), electronic reverberation enhancement (also at Crane), adding absorptive materials to an existing space and master-planning for larger spaces at Arkansas Tech, creative diffusive and absorptive material for the chorus rehearsal room at Boston Symphony Hall, and programming work to match ensembles to the most appropriate rooms available at a variety of educational institutions.