Add as a preferred source on Google

Proper Planning Ensures Sound Results

  • 07/01/13
Music Facility 

Walnut High School in Walnut, Calif., had a bond passed to build a $3-million band and orchestra building. They turned to Wenger’s “Planning Guide for Secondary School Music Facilities” to figure out the best solutions for designing and furnishing the facility and justifying the costs.

When there were just rumors of a new music building, I called Wenger immediately,” says Dr. Buddy Clements, Band director at Walnut High School in Walnut, Calif. Eventually, a bond passed to build a $3-million band and orchestra building.

“Wenger’s ‘Planning Guide for Secondary School Music Facilities’ helped me do my homework and justify my requests,” Clements recalls.

Clements and Corey Wicks are full-time instrumental music directors leading three concert bands, wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, two string orchestras, full symphonic orchestra and even mariachi band!

Clements says their previous rehearsal room wasn’t very flattering to certain instruments — the alto voices — and over-projected bass instruments. “With our new rehearsal room and acoustical panels, I now hear all the frequencies and timbres,” he explains. “The panels make a tremendous impact.”

For individual practice, five SoundLok practice rooms feature VAE technology that offers realistic acoustical simulations and digital record/playback capabilities.

“Students practice in the rooms constantly, so I know they’re enjoying them,” explains Clements. Students can practice without disturbing rehearsals.

To ensure proper posture and comfort, Clements requested 200 Student Chairs from Wenger. Many of the Student Chairs he had purchased 25 years ago are still in service.

He also appreciates the longevity of his original Conductor’s System — podium, chair and stand — that he’s used for 30 years. For instrument storage, UltraStor cabinets protect belongings and improve traffic flow. “Wenger’s information and support, helped me know what my students and I needed up front,” Clements concludes.

www.wengercorp.com

This article originally appeared in the School Planning & Management July 2013 issue of Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Malibu High School Campus Completes $102M Phase 1 of Construction

    Malibu High School in Malibu, Calif., recently announced that it has completed phase 1 of construction for its new campus, a news release reports. The first phase consisted of developing and modernizing the site of a former elementary school into a new, 70,000-square-foot, two-story facility.

  • concentric silhouettes of a human head

    How Physical Space Shapes the Mind: Designing for Better Learning Outcomes

    Research in environmental psychology and neuroscience increasingly suggests that the way a room is designed can influence memory, focus, or even a student's sense of belonging.

  • University of West Florida Opens New Laboratory Facility

    The University of West Florida recently announced that renovation work is complete on a new lab building for its campus in Pensacola, Fla., according to university news. Building 80 will serve as the home to the university’s civil engineering program and the Tyler Chase Norwood Construction Management Program.

  • Beyond Four Walls

    Operable glass walls provide a dynamic solution for educational spaces. They align with today’s evolving teaching methods and adapt to the needs of modern learners. Beyond the functional versatility, movable glass walls offer clean, contemporary aesthetics, slim and unobtrusive profiles, and versatile configurations that cater to the evolving needs of students and educators alike.

Digital Edition