Raf Orlowski, director at Arup Acoustics, says, "Around 15 years ago, Arup Acoustics carried out a survey of music facilities in schools for the then DfES and found inadequate conditions in many instances; pupils practicing in corridors, music classes blighted by extraneous noise and band rehearsals in totally inappropriate acoustic environments. This survey led eventually to the publication in 2004 of a government directive, Building Bulletin 93, which has resulted in a massive change in the acoustic quality of new music facilities and school buildings in general.
"The new Watford Music Centre at Watford Grammar School epitomises the best intentions of Building Bulletin 93. It provides a spacious and well-lit performance and rehearsal space which can accommodate a full orchestra together with an audience, and enables pupils to play in first class conditions. The acoustics of the hall have been finely tuned to provide ample reverberance for classical music while at the same time accommodating other genres of music for which the acoustics can be adjusted using moveable acoustic drapes."
Assistant head John Griffiths says: "We have an excellent music department, with several top class musicians. We wanted to improve the music facilities as part of a rolling programme of improvements to the school, but costs looked as if they were prohibitive. Luckily, the local education authority also decided they needed a new home as part of their service and, four years ago, agreed to share the cost. The results in terms of both sound and light have been fantastic - better than anything we could have dreamt of."
Involved in installing a lighting system to ensure the musicians looked as good as they sounded was Lighting Logic. Sales director Mick Cocker says, "The system consisted of ETC Unison dimmers and programming panels in the Recital Hall, along with powder coated white Source Four luminaires for the platform and house lighting."
(Jim Evans)
