Massey Hall Restoration

I just learned that a project is afoot to restore Massey Hall. This is great news! I love this music venue. I'm hoping that the operative word here will be "restoration" rather than "renovation".

Of course, the old concert hall was designed with optimum acoustics for the un-amplified music programs of the time. Today, most of the programs are amplified, so any restoration needs to consider adapting the acoustics of the hall to be compatible with today's complex electronically reinforced music presentations.

So, here is my idea:

An acoustic engineer works closely with the architect to restore the hall so that it is visually identical with the original, while incorporating the necessary acoustical elements to make the sound of the new hall optimal for today's amplified programs.

In addition to the basic architectural acoustics of the new hall, a distributed electro-acoustic system is designed that will enhance the acoustics of the hall when required to completely restore the original acoustics of this grand concert hall for orchestral, choral and other un-amplified acoustic music presentations.

I heard the Meyer Sound Constellation system for the first time in Montreal a couple of weeks ago. This electro-acoustic sound enhancement system is quite remarkable and I believe it has the real potential to change the way we design (or restore!) future concert halls and multipurpose theatres & music venues.