1. Housing and Equipment At some time in their teaching careers, most music educators will be called upon to offer suggestions and comments on a construction and remodeling project that will affect their music education facilities. At some time in their teaching careers, most music educators will be called upon to offer suggestions and comments on a construction and remodeling project that will affect their music education facilities. Music instructors themselves are often unaware that they have a role to play in the building process and they are uninformed about where to go for the information that can make them positive contributors. Music instructors themselves are often unaware that they have a role to play in the building process and they are uninformed about where to go for the information that can make them positive contributors.

2. Housing and Equipment The first action music teachers should take when they learn that the school district is considering some type of construction project involving music education is to secure a copy of the MENC publication by Harold P. Geerdes. The first action music teachers should take when they learn that the school district is considering some type of construction project involving music education is to secure a copy of the MENC publication by Harold P. Geerdes. Planning and Equipping Music Educational Facilities.Planning and Equipping Music Educational Facilities.

3. Housing and Equipment The second action the music staff should take, upon learning that they will be the benefactors of a newly constructed facility, is to go to the school officials and encourage them, as part of the construction contract, to acquire the services of a specialist skilled in the construction of music rooms, to assist in developing plans and provide on-site consultation prior to and during the construction process. The second action the music staff should take, upon learning that they will be the benefactors of a newly constructed facility, is to go to the school officials and encourage them, as part of the construction contract, to acquire the services of a specialist skilled in the construction of music rooms, to assist in developing plans and provide on-site consultation prior to and during the construction process.

4. Housing and Equipment Space and floor design requirements Space and floor design requirements Rehearsal rooms –Rehearsal rooms – 20 ft.² of floor space for each instrumentalist 20 ft.² of floor space for each instrumentalist 15 ft.² of floor space for each choral student 15 ft.² of floor space for each choral student Additionally, needing space for cabinets, piano, podium, etc. Additionally, needing space for cabinets, piano, podium, etc. Ceiling height should be no less than 12 ft. 14 to 16 and is desirable. Ceiling height should be no less than 12 ft. 14 to 16 and is desirable.

5. Housing and Equipment Space and floor design requirements Space and floor design requirements Floor design –Floor design – Three basic options are available Three basic options are available Flat floorFlat floor Built-in risersBuilt-in risers Excavated risersExcavated risers Flat floor is more versatile for instrumentalists Flat floor is more versatile for instrumentalists Risers are more appropriate for choral groups Risers are more appropriate for choral groups

6. Housing and Equipment Planning a music department Planning a music department Sound containment, traffic flow, location of rooms, access to performance area, auxiliary music rooms, and storage space are but a few of the considerations facing anyone involved in laying out a music facility.Sound containment, traffic flow, location of rooms, access to performance area, auxiliary music rooms, and storage space are but a few of the considerations facing anyone involved in laying out a music facility.

7. Housing and Equipment Planning a music department Planning a music department Sound containment –Sound containment – Music rehearsal rooms should be located in a part of the school where sounds will not interfere with other academic classes. Music rehearsal rooms should be located in a part of the school where sounds will not interfere with other academic classes. Use corridors and storage rooms as sound isolators whenever possible. Use corridors and storage rooms as sound isolators whenever possible. Some type of dead space between hallway doors and outside rehearsal room doors should be planned. Some type of dead space between hallway doors and outside rehearsal room doors should be planned.

8. Housing and Equipment Planning a music department Planning a music department Practice rooms –Practice rooms – One of the most serious and consistent errors in music facility design is the location of practice rooms. One of the most serious and consistent errors in music facility design is the location of practice rooms. Practice rooms simply should not be placed in a location that requires students to pass through a rehearsal room to gain access to them. Practice rooms simply should not be placed in a location that requires students to pass through a rehearsal room to gain access to them. Another major concern is practice room location in relationship to the student instrument storage. Another major concern is practice room location in relationship to the student instrument storage. Size of the practice room – 60 ft.² for a single practice room, and 140 ft.² for small ensembles with piano. Size of the practice room – 60 ft.² for a single practice room, and 140 ft.² for small ensembles with piano.

9. Housing and Equipment Planning a music department Planning a music department Music library –Music library – The music collection should be located in a room separate from the rehearsal rooms rather than placed on shelves are filing cabinets against the rehearsal room wall. The music collection should be located in a room separate from the rehearsal rooms rather than placed on shelves are filing cabinets against the rehearsal room wall. Space should be included in the library room for cabinets and shelving for all music, a sorting rack, work tables, a desk, and a supply cabinet. Space should be included in the library room for cabinets and shelving for all music, a sorting rack, work tables, a desk, and a supply cabinet. A minimum of 300 ft.² should be allowed for a music library that will house combined choral/instrumental music holdings. A minimum of 300 ft.² should be allowed for a music library that will house combined choral/instrumental music holdings.

10. Housing and Equipment Planning a music department Planning a music department Uniform/concert-wear storageUniform/concert-wear storage A separate room for storing uniforms and concert wear should be included in the design of a new music facility. A separate room for storing uniforms and concert wear should be included in the design of a new music facility. The room should be cedar line for moth protection, a door that opens to an outside corridor, and large enough to comfortably house garments based on future enrollment figures. The room should be cedar line for moth protection, a door that opens to an outside corridor, and large enough to comfortably house garments based on future enrollment figures.

11. Housing and Equipment Planning a music department Planning a music department Instrument storage –Instrument storage – The minimum space requirement for an instrument storage room is 600 ft.² The minimum space requirement for an instrument storage room is 600 ft.² This room should be located near the entrance to the instrumental music rehearsal room and should have two sets of doors that provide good traffic flow to and from the rehearsal room. This room should be located near the entrance to the instrumental music rehearsal room and should have two sets of doors that provide good traffic flow to and from the rehearsal room. Possibly have a different room for marching instruments, props, and other seasonal equipment. Possibly have a different room for marching instruments, props, and other seasonal equipment.

12. Housing and Equipment Planning a music department Planning a music department Instrument repair room –Instrument repair room – A small room, adjacent to the band directors office, with emergency repair equipment, a workbench with a vise, and a large steel sink to clean and flush brass instruments is a minimum requisite. A small room, adjacent to the band directors office, with emergency repair equipment, a workbench with a vise, and a large steel sink to clean and flush brass instruments is a minimum requisite. The room designated for the proper care and repair of student and school owned instruments is simply a sound investment on the part of the school district. The room designated for the proper care and repair of student and school owned instruments is simply a sound investment on the part of the school district.

13. Housing and Equipment Planning a music department Planning a music department Office space –Office space – Separate office space orchestra, band, and choral instructors is highly desirable. Separate office space orchestra, band, and choral instructors is highly desirable. These offices should be close to the directors’ respective rehearsal areas. These offices should be close to the directors’ respective rehearsal areas.

14. Housing and Equipment Other space considerations – Other space considerations – Recording and television capabilitiesRecording and television capabilities Piano classroomPiano classroom Auxiliary classroomAuxiliary classroom Auxiliary storageAuxiliary storage Orchestra rehearsal roomOrchestra rehearsal room

15. Housing and Equipment Other Construction Considerations Other Construction Considerations Acoustics – Most music rehearsal rooms should have a reverberation time of between 1.5 and 2 seconds.Acoustics – Most music rehearsal rooms should have a reverberation time of between 1.5 and 2 seconds. Choral rooms should generally be more “live” than instrumental rooms. Choral rooms should generally be more “live” than instrumental rooms.

16. Housing and Equipment Other Construction Considerations Other Construction Considerations Lighting – a combination of artificial light and natural light is most desirableLighting – a combination of artificial light and natural light is most desirable Fluorescent lighting appears to be the most satisfactory for rehearsal rooms. Fluorescent lighting appears to be the most satisfactory for rehearsal rooms. Type A ballasts should be specified because they are quieter. Type A ballasts should be specified because they are quieter.

17. Housing and Equipment Other Construction Considerations Other Construction Considerations Outside entrance doors – helps for easy loading and unloading of equipmentOutside entrance doors – helps for easy loading and unloading of equipment A small loading dock with vehicle access is certainly in order. A small loading dock with vehicle access is certainly in order. Outside entrance makes it easy for evening rehearsals and concerts. Outside entrance makes it easy for evening rehearsals and concerts.

18. Housing and Equipment Other Construction Considerations Other Construction Considerations Heating and Ventilation –Heating and Ventilation – air exchange capabilities in music facilities are often inadequate; the equipment responsible for heating and circulating room air is frequently too noisy air exchange capabilities in music facilities are often inadequate; the equipment responsible for heating and circulating room air is frequently too noisy All ducts supplying and returning air from music rehearsal and practice rooms should be lined with fireproof, sound absorbing material and contain baffles to prevent unwanted transmission of sound. All ducts supplying and returning air from music rehearsal and practice rooms should be lined with fireproof, sound absorbing material and contain baffles to prevent unwanted transmission of sound.