VSI worked directly with the electrical contractors Whitehead Building Services who undertook the installation, working for main contractor Carillion. WBS's project director was Steve Jones and VSI's project managers were Keith Fish and Tony Morruzzi. Keith Fish designed the systems after receiving an outline brief of the requirements from project consultants, Hoare Lea.
Three new areas have been created in the project - the Performance Hall, the Assembly Hall and the Drama Studio, each of which needed well thought-out stage lighting, AV and sound systems to accommodate a wide range of uses, events and performances.
VSI has considerable experience in the schools and education market. "The key points are to ensure that the end result is very flexible and not to over-specify" explains Keith Fish. "It's important to provide people with the appropriate technology for what they are doing, not to blind them with kit they won't be able to fully understand or use."
In the Performance Hall, VSI supplied an 8sq.m Trilite truss, complete with eight audio speaker circuits, 40 dimmer circuits and four hot power circuits, along with DMX data lines. The idea is that the wiring and connection points are configured to allow the space to be used in any orientation/axis, allowing easy movement of production kit to different points around the trusses.
Lighting fixtures were a mix of Selecon profiles, fresnels and floods with barn doors, chosen for their reliability and cost-effectiveness. Dimmers are Zero 88 Chilli Pro 24-10is.
The sound system comprises RCF ART315i speakers, QSC amplifiers and a Soundcraft Spirit F16 mixing console with inbuilt effects, together with a Tascam CD/tape player and mini-disc recorder.
VSI also supplied a projection system based around a 12ft retractable electric screen, a Sanyo XU48 3000 ANSI Lumen XGA projector and a multiregional DVD/VCR recorder.
In both Performance and Assembly Halls, overall control for the projector and screen is via an AMX Procon control panel at the stage with a slave to the control rooms.
The Assembly Hall features a near identical set up, without the box truss, but with internally wired lighting bars installed over a stage, and rigged with a similar mix of Selecon Acclaim profiles, fresnels and floods.
The sound system again has RCF ART315i speakers and the same amps and source machines as the Performance Hall, completed with a Behringer mixing desk free issued by the school. The AV set up is also a mirror of the other Hall.
(Jim Evans)
