This space was not simply to be a stage for performing arts; it would have to fulfil the myriad of functions that fill any school's academic year. One week it might have to host a full scale student drama and music production playing to 250, the next it could be hosting a lecture or parents' evening. The College, bolstered by a significant grant from the Federal Government, set about turning their plans into reality.
The new space would require a discreet, yet flexible, sound reinforcement system to compliment the intimate nature of the design, a stage that is level with the front row of the audience with the remainder of the seating set on a steep rake to bring even the back rows closer to the stage.
Chris Hodge, theatre and AV manager of the Centre explains further, "When it came to the PA, the College originally approached four companies. My predecessor, Phil Mawson, was committed to acquiring a premium loudspeaker system so d&b audiotechnik were always on the agenda. Through National Audio Systems, the sole distributor for d&b in Australia, the College approached the audio visual company, Mozaix who are based in nearby Berwick. We were impressed by both the recommendations of other clients and their very positive attitude and general ethos. We also wanted to ensure local support for the system."
System Integrator, Paul Tucker from Mozaix continues, "We did a shoot-out against an installed system in the church associated with Oxley College. This PA was physically much larger and certainly looked like it should outperform the d&b T-Series loudspeakers we took in. Instead, the tiny little d&b loudspeaker stack on the floor comprising two T-SUBs and three T10s absolutely blew away the opposition."
In conjunction with system designer, Dave Jacques from NAS, Tucker put forward a design comprising loudspeakers from the Ti-Series, the T-Series cabinets explicitly designed for permanent installation from the Black range; Ti10Ls supported by Ti-SUBs and driven by d&b D6 and D12 amplifiers. The system is rigged as a line array split equally stage left and right."
The centre was opened by the State Minister for Education, the Hon Martin Dixon MP where it was officially named The Broadley Performing Arts Centre in honour of the College's Principal of over 20 years' standing.
Hodge concludes, "The auditorium is a much welcomed addition to the college facilities. We are particularly pleased with the installation and performance of the loudspeaker system; it far exceeds the expected output and quality of sound within the space. From a full on concert like our opening show to the smallest of lectures, the speaker system really does the business."
(Jim Evans)
