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Band Hall Blue Prints

Posted by Henn on 9/26/2024, 9:46 am

Greetings Hive Mind! I have been asked to come up with a list of things for the possibility of a new band hall. I have never been in this position and I honestly don't know what all I can ask for. Currently we are in an old library room so anything is better. If you have built one recently and have a blueprint, it be great to see it for ideas. If that's ok of course. My email is shennessy@cisdtx.net

Re: Band Hall Blue Prints

Posted by Experienced Dude on 10/5/2024, 6:32 am, in reply to "Band Hall Blue Prints"

The best bandhall design I have seen in my half century of teaching is the band hall at Socorro High School in El Paso Tx. Too many features to list. Check it out.

Re: Band Hall Blue Prints

Posted by STBD on 10/1/2024, 7:29 am, in reply to "Band Hall Blue Prints"

I was able to design a band hall at a previous school. Be sure to ask for outlets in the floor - super helpful to not have wires trailing across the floor.

Also, avoid having a perfectly rectangular band hall. One of the walls should be angled or offset to avoid standing sound waves in the room.

Be sure to have lots of instrument storage and room to add more if needed.

If you can, have trophy shelves installed on the walls to save storage space.

Hope this is helpful!

Re: Band Hall Blue Prints

Posted by Fundamentally important on 9/29/2024, 9:25 am, in reply to "Band Hall Blue Prints"

All suggestions are great, particularly if budget allows.

Be very mindful of acoustics/sound separation and proper HVAC.

I've been in facilities where the walls of the practice rooms didn't go all the way up beyond the ceiling tiles...sound bleedthrough both between practice rooms and the band hall was really bad.

I've also been in a facility where the module practice rooms (the brand mentioned above) was never properly connected to HVAC, even after a later remodeling project. One side of the band hall was unbearably hot while the other was uncomfortably cold depending on the seasons.

Proper storage, exit access, etc. are great considerations, however if acoustics/sound separation and HVAC aren't done properly you'll always be disappointed.

Re: Band Hall Blue Prints

Posted by Original Old Guy on 9/28/2024, 10:32 pm, in reply to "Band Hall Blue Prints"

In addition to the other comments, have storage over the practice room and office area (stairs leading up to this area) that has HVAC. That will come in very handy. Have 4 foot doors so you can get your large equipment such as the largest tympani through the door.

Re: Band Hall Blue Prints

Posted by Respectfully on 9/30/2024, 7:30 am, in reply to "Re: Band Hall Blue Prints"

4 foot doors aren't enough anymore, with prop carts and marching carts. Have double doors with a removable center post.

Re: Band Hall Blue Prints

Posted by Questioner on 9/27/2024, 12:10 pm, in reply to "Band Hall Blue Prints"

Plan for a band bigger than what you have now so you will have room to accommodate the future bigger band. Music library storage with counter space. Rest room for the band staff. Room - maybe between the office and rest room - with shelving to store little things away from the kids like microphones, extra mouthpieces, extra band shirts, etc. Ask for a removable center post in the doorways.

Re: Band Hall Blue Prints

Posted by anon on 9/27/2024, 10:42 am, in reply to "Band Hall Blue Prints"

As I recall, the Wenger website has some very detailed lists for a band hall; you might check there.

Re: Band Hall Blue Prints

Posted by ForeverN00B on 10/2/2024, 2:59 pm, in reply to "Re: Band Hall Blue Prints"

https://www.wengercorp.com/Construct/docs/Wenger%20Planning%20Guide.pdf

Re: Band Hall Blue Prints

Posted by List on 9/26/2024, 3:40 pm, in reply to "Band Hall Blue Prints"

Don't have blueprints but ask for an ice machine, filtered water access, bottle filling stations, extra long sink for instrument cleaning, vct tiling, projector with screen, recording capability, speaker setup for metronome/drones, wenger practice rooms, Extra wide doorways, sound proof doors, paper towel dispenser, office space, wenger lockers, storage shelving, uniform room with hanging capability, conference room, music library, percussion room, ensemble room(s), storage room, outdoor garage type storage for generator/grills, sound paneling, and trophy shelving.

Re: Band Hall Blue Prints

Posted by really retired on 9/27/2024, 2:56 pm, in reply to "Re: Band Hall Blue Prints"

lest we forget: recording stuff; more storage rooms; back door next to a driveway that is NOT the fire lane; rest rooms availability for extra rehearsals; I don't believe windows are a plus; millions of wall plugs; office windows; practice room windows ... (next)

Re: Band Hall Blue Prints

Posted by Me on 9/27/2024, 1:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Band Hall Blue Prints"

Call Wenger. They have a step-by-step guide.

That being said - take the amount of storage the builder will WANT to offer you, and try to DOUBLE IT. You WILL need the space.

Re: Band Hall Blue Prints

Posted by Doors on 9/27/2024, 12:57 pm, in reply to "Re: Band Hall Blue Prints"

Make sure every door in and out of the band hall and in and out of the building can fit your widest piece of equipment (5 octave marimba, podium, props) without modification, ie: removing the mullion. We currently have equipment that we can't actually get into our band hall because of some safety procedures put in place that prevent us from using the double doors at full width.

Re: Band Hall Blue Prints

Posted by Potty on 9/27/2024, 8:48 am, in reply to "Re: Band Hall Blue Prints"

Bathrooms large enough for students to change on gamedays with visible sinks out of the stall area
(but not necessarily out of the bathroom).

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