Lionell Hampton School of Music Auditorium Haddock Performance Hall Space Evaluated on April 29th, 2012 by: Janice Kammler Alto and Tenor Saxophones Performance by: Patrick McCulley and on April 20th, 2012 by: Richard H. Wilson Solo Piano Performance by: Shoko Nelson Let s Begin: http://rhwdesigns.com/rhw_designs/studio.html Room(Full Occupancy)@ 500 Hz Surface Material Area (sq. ft) Absorbency Absorption(S) Ceiling Gypsum Bd. 3000 0.05 150 Ceiling Panels, absorptive Acoustic Material 2500 0.5 1250 Side Wall Gypsum Bd. 3800 0.05 190 Side Wall, absorptive Wood Paneling 900 0.15 135 Rear Wall, lower Wood Mesh Panels 435 0.2 87 Rear Wall & Stage Rear Wall Painted Wood Slats 1385 0.1 138.5 Aisles Carpet on concrete 700 0.14 98 Orchestra Pit & Apron Wood 750 0.1 75 Stage Rear Wall Gypsum Bd. 330 0.05 16.5 Audience seated in upholstered seats 1500 0.8 1200 Volume (cu. Ft.) Total Abosrption 3340 Room Volume 104000 Reverbation Time 1.53 Room(Half-Occupancy)@500Hz Auditorium (less audience) 2140 Seats Well-upholstered seats 1500 0.56 840 Audience seated in upholstered seats 750 0.8 600 Total Abosrption 3580 Reverbation Time 1.42 Source: MEEB p.769
1.42 1.53 Some Melodious Thoughts: The performance may be heard throughout the halls surrounding the auditorium. Rustling paper, shifting audience, sneezing children - all of which was very easy to hear from all seats in the space. notice of mechanical or HVAC system noises. Although they were obviously on, due to the cool air easily felt falling from above and from the side. Electronic sound system was used, and the small 5 x16 speakers were on during this performance. Perceived temperature of space was chilly. But it came more from the color of the space, and flatness of surfaces. The general feeling on the space was cool, not warm or welcoming. Although the wood paneling was pleasant. Closeness of stage to audience may allow for a lower ceiling; as the space had a generally uncomfortable height. A=0.2 Neutral Room 3340 104,000 cuft Source: MEEB p.774 MEEB Calcs 1.42 to 1.53 sec MEEB Accepted Acoustics for Concert Halls 1.5 to 1.9 sec Source: MEEB p.784 1. Painted Wood Slats: Provide both reflectance, and increased dispersion. Typically solid wood has a high reflectance, but due to the open cavities the focusing of the concave rear wall is reduced. 2. Also featured on the title page, this wood mesh provides a similar acoustic advantage as 1. 3. Dark brown/black seats, upholstered. Perhaps red seats may make the space feel warmer? 4. Wood paneling felt hollow, or perhaps not authentic. Very reflective, and attached to the side walls, that were only flared out 1degree. A wider degree of rotation might have made the space less reverberant. 5. Curved ceiling panels disperse sound over space more evenly to the audience and performers. Gyp Walls, although also very reflective, with their indented creases provide more successful dispersion throughout 6. the space as well. Electronic sound enhancement system. Critical filter networks that, by selective amplification and attenuation of portions of overall audio frequency spectrum, voice or equalize a system after installation. (MEEB 793) 7.
8. Wood framed felt screens over Gyp wall board. Provides very minimal acoustical absorption. These were most likely installed to only slightly offset reverberation time in an attempt to improve the space. 9. 10. Wood framed felt screens over open space. The rooms beyond allow bass to better re-enter the auditorium with a more rich sound quality, while increasing the time for treble to reach the audience and performers. Slats on Gyp at side walls, and slats over empty space at stage back. This disperses the sound while reflecting it more successfully than a solid reflective surface. 1 6 5 9 2 3 4 7 8 10 Haddock Section 7 2.A 1.C 3 2.B 1.B 2.C 1.A Haddock Plan 7
Climax: Scores from data sheets during Richard s review. - Distinct sound was heard in excess from the right wall during the performance. Audience noise excessive. - HVAC located at side walls, made seating here cold/drafty. - Grade: C+ St 1.A St 1.B St 1.C - chance of being distracted by audience members (both noise and visuals reduced to nearzero). - Warm seat, near lights. So it s also brighter here. - More direct sound from performer, not from reverb. - Grade: A - All noise is easily distinguishable here, including audience noises. - Audience is distracting. - Superb acoustic quality. - Best seat in the house for those who don t appreciate sitting front and center. - Grade: B Climax: Scores from data sheets during Janice s review. - All sound was easily distinguishable, no audiance distractions. Very - Good acoustic quality. - Main issue was the persistence of certain tones due to reverberation which kind of made my ears hurt. - Grade: B St 2.A St 2.B - Very close to stage and the center of the auditorium allowed for superior acoustics. - At times the overall sound was too loud. - More direct sound. - Grade: B+ St 2.C - Being right next to the wall I observed lots of loud reverberations. - Audience and musicians echoed loudly. - Seat was cold and drafty. - Grade: D
Redesign: Decisions based off of post experience of the performance space. 1/4 ReDesign: - Perforated wood panels 1/2 to replace existing solid face wood panel. This will reduce excessive side reverb for the audience that sits close to the side walls. Haddock Section Haddock Plan ReDesign: - Carpet the entire floor under the audience seating area. Decreasing average absorbency within auditorium from 1.42-1.53 to 1.35-1.44 seconds. - This would also create a warmer feeling space. Currently the auditorium has a generally cool disposition. Installing carpet throughout would make the audience generally more comfortable.
Conclusion - The Haddock Performance Hall already has a reasonable level of acoustic quality. - There is room for improvement, but not enough to warrant an actual redesign. - The space is attractive, but has a cold quality. - This may be attributed to the poured concrete flooring, or the color choice of the seating and/or walls. - Installing carpet would improve aesthetic, temperature, and acoustic quality. - Janice and Richard agree that the preferred seating choice is near the front row. - All-in-all, the Haddock Performance Hall is a pleasant experience, and recommended for general performances. Thank You