The music centre's 600-seat Filene Ladd Concert Hall can accommodate performances of any size, from a single musician to a full orchestra and chorus. At the back of the stage, a three-story-high glass wall overlooks a nearby pond, adding visual interest and acoustical challenges. In addition, the hall can be scaled up or down in size for smaller and larger audiences.
To make the acoustical elements as variable and easy to manipulate as possible, J. R. Clancy provided seven motorized Patriarch tracks for front of house, and two motorized acoustical panel and lighting arrays onstage. Each 6000-pound array is lifted and tilted by custom line shaft hoists.
J. R. Clancy's SureTarget 10 rigging automation system makes it easy to adjust the acoustics for each performance, providing control of multiple winches from a single, touch-screen station. Using the SureTarget, an operator can see each winch's current position and set new targets, or use presets designated for specific kinds of performances.
"The overhead lifting/tilting ceiling panels at Skidmore are really beautiful machines," said Robert Davis, ASTC, the theatre consultant for the Zankel Music Centre. "They are quiet, smooth, and accurate, and make the heavy lifting look effortless. I'm grateful to J. R. Clancy for doing a magnificent job."
In addition, J. R. Clancy provided an orchestra pit lift for the music centre, with simple pushbutton operation.
(Jim Evans)
