Ed: We have what I think is an excellent hall here at SMU. It currently seats about 500, but there is a balcony that could be used with not too much remodeling. The hall is tall (esential), the stage is large enough for an orchestra, and the accoustics are excellent. There are few parallel surfaces and the accoustics are tunable. The side walls are louvered panels with heavy copper on them. You can open these panels and there is accoustic deadening material behind. That way you can have it as you want it. The organists want all of them closed so they can have max reverb. For piano I find that it is good to open them up some otherwise it's too live and notes (particularly in fast passages) blur together. With the louvers open some, it's great for piano. Our guitar teacher (who plays all over the world) says this is the best hall for guitar performance. The hall was built in the early 1960s. Get the school to send you here and check it out. You can visit the Meyerson Symphony center too while here. Although that is very large it is an accoustical marvel. If I can help....... dave _______________________________________________ David M. Porritt, RPT Meadows School of the Arts Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas _______________________________________________
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