“With the opening of the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Hall, Sonoma State University has added a new and significant cultural dimension to this already vibrant community. The opportunity for Auerbach Pollock Friedlander to contribute to this first step in an exciting vision for the future has been very rewarding. We look foreword to our continuing collaboration with the design team and the University on future venues.” said Len Auerbach, Founding Principal.
As the centerpiece of the facility, the 1,400-seat Concert Hall was designed to showcase music and the human voice as well as other performance programming. The Center also includes a music education hall, hospitality center and a recital hall still in construction. The Hall was modeled after the Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood, also designed by William Rawn, and features a rear wall that can be opened to provide viewing and listening from outdoor lawn seating for about 5,000 additional patrons. The Hall will be used for the University’s performance program, as a regular venue for the Santa Rosa Symphony, the Bach Choral Society and other Bay Area orchestras. In addition to its formal acoustic environment, the Hall provides unique flexibility for staging, variable acoustics, overhead rigging and support for a variety of popular performance events.
“Auerbach Pollock Friedlander equipped Weill Hall with automated reconfigurable orchestra risers, variable acoustics elements and state of the art theatrical and concert lighting. The technology is sympathetic to the architecture of the hall, being seamlessly integrated with the fine finishes.” added Mike McMackin, Project Principal.
“Among the many unique features of this hall is the custom design of the 1,400 seats which are representative of the garden setting and the architectural finishes of the hall. The design was carefully coordinated for comfort, optimal acoustic response, ADA accessibility and aesthetics. The design of the seats provides a unifying visual experience within the hall”, adds Auerbach.
Auerbach Pollock Friedlander is also providing theatre design consulting for the 250-seat recital hall, currently in construction, which was named Schroeder’s Recital Hall after the pianist character in Charles Schulz’s beloved Peanuts comic. Schroeder’s Recital Hall is designed to accommodate choral, organ, chamber and jazz concerts, community performances and lectures. The design was inspired by European churches and features a soaring ceiling.
The Center has already received praise from performers and music critics alike. The next phase of the project and will include an outdoor amphitheater with seating for 10,000 located next to Weill Hall to be completed in 2015.
FACT SHEET
Joan and Sanford I. Weill Hall
For the 1,400-seat concert hall named the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Hall, Auerbach Pollock Friedlander provided theatre consulting services including layout for seating and sightlines, custom stage lift orchestra risers for variable stage configuration, flexible overhead rigging infrastructure, programmable theatrical lighting, automated variable acoustics banners and custom designed theatre chairs. The hall is modeled after Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood and is a unique facility, of its type, on the West Coast.
• The one-of-a-kind theatre seats were designed for the hall to meet acoustic requirements, aesthetics, ADA accessibility and comfort.
• The rear wall opens to additional seating for 5,105 patrons (3,457 on the lawn and 1,648 at tables and chairs) on the terraced risers for music and dining events with views to the interior of the hall. The rear wall can also remain closed as the back drop to an exterior stage area for the terraced lawn seating.
• 58 motorized variable acoustics banners shape the hall acoustically for various types of performances. Configurations are determined by the acoustician and recorded by the owner at the touch screen control panel back stage.
• 234 acoustically silent sine wave theatrical dimmers and 74 sine wave architectural dimmers switched circuits and cue lights are controlled from a central architectural programmable station and/or from a theatrical lighting console.
• 18 inverted screw jack drive two concentric lift orchestra risers: the inner rise contains retractable chevron risers for string sections. Lifts maintain position with precision guides and are controlled from back stage.
• Removable seating platforms are provided to accommodate an in-house technical mix position.
Schroeder’s Recital Hall
Schroeder's Recital Hall, currently under construction, allows seating for 250 and features dramatic towering ceilings. Upon completion, the end stage wall will house a Brombaugh tracker organ on its own balcony.
Auerbach Pollock Friedlander provided theatre consulting services for the room including seating and sightline configurations, overhead rigging, stage lighting canopy and automated variable acoustics including:
• 27 automated programmable variable acoustics banners
• Acoustics Canopy
• Seating system
• Integrated overhead technical canopy for automated and conventional lighting fixtures.
Music Education Hall
Home to the Department of Music, the Music Education Hall includes two seminar rooms, three ensemble/rehearsal rooms, seven practice studios, musical activities rooms and offices. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander’s scope of work includes general theatre consulting and variable acoustics elements for the rehearsal spaces.
Weill Commons
Part of the next phase of the Green Music Center is a 10,000-seat (2,700 fixed and 7,300 lawn) outdoor amphitheater currently in the planning stages. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander is providing full-scope theater consulting including planning for stage and backstage areas, audience seating and sightlines, audience support areas, VIP seating, overhead theatrical rigging systems, lighting control, audio-video systems and respective systems’ infrastructure.
The approximately 150,000 SF venue will include a permanent stage; both fixed and lawn seating; and various concession spaces and support spaces. The Pavilion will host symphonic music, ballet and dance as well as popular performances.