Rooms for the Learned Musician

Book excerpt: This beautifully illustrated volume takes the reader on a wide-ranging tour through music education facilities designed during the past 20 years, with a particular emphasis on the acoustical and architectural design of the locations. The book opens with a series of essays from key design team members, including an acoustical consultant, architect, audio/video systems consultant, and theatre consultant. The main body of the work consists of a rich array of contributions from acoustical consulting firms and music education facility designers from across the world on their recent innovative works in the area of music education facility acoustics. Each entry includes high-resolution photos and renderings, scientific data, and evocative descriptions of the music education facilities. Filled with beautiful photography and fascinating modern design, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in music education architecture, acoustical design, or musical performance. “This new publication on design of music education facilities is highly welcomed. Not only does it present many acoustically interesting projects, it also gives an up-to-date introduction to the scientific knowledge and design practice in this field. The book also helps the reader to understand why it is so important to ensure good acoustic conditions in music education facilities: to nourish students at all levels to achieve their goals as musicians.” - Anders Chr. Gade, Ph.D., senior consultant at Gade & Mortensen Akustik and author of Acoustics in Halls for Speech and Music (chapter in Springer Handbook of Acoustics) “This book ensures the reader will see the full vocabulary of elemental solutions to broad challenges. The expected concert halls, rehearsal spaces, and practice rooms are joined by newer, essential components: recording studios, control rooms, vocal booths, beat labs, and more. This media-rich publication enables detailed study while motivating big picture, interdisciplinary thinking. This new book curates and beautifully structures a deep store of outstanding architectural achievements that are sure to kindle the creation of future successful music education facilities.” - Alex U. Case, Associate Professor of Sound Recording Technology at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and author of Sound FX – Unlocking the Creative Potential of Recording Studio Effects “This book is a wonderful collection of music education facilities. The narratives and images provide a wealth of information for the casual reader, student in acoustics, architect, owner/educator, and acoustician. Primary schools through universities are not often studied and reviewed. Finding a thorough collection of these space types is rare. This book is recommended for anyone who is studying, designing, or enjoys reading about music education facilities.” - Jason Duty, P.E., Vice President at Charles M. Salter Associates, Inc.