I have just recently had the pleasure of conducting the Burlington Teen Tour Band in a series of three concerts at the newly designed Burlington Performing Arts Centre in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. This thriving community which has been able to boast supporting the largest, most award winning Youth Band in Canada (otherwise know around the world as “Canada’s Musical Ambassadors”)has just completed the building of a new Performing Arts Centre. The Band who for the past 30 years plus have given annual concert at a 2400 seat venue moved to the smaller stage and environments of the new 700 seat concert hall. The thoughts of performance with a 160 piece musical ensemble would seem fairly obvious at first glance. Smaller venue – large number of musicians – possible problem with fitting on the stage and also 
the sound being too loud! I frequently tell the band that “The sign of a good musical ensemble is one where every instrument can be heard at the same time, without any one being the dominant”. DYNAMICS and CONTROLLED playing are essential to create the different shades, colours and emotions in the music. However, even by listening and adjusting in each performance area sometimes logistics play a major role. In a small confined space all sound can bleed into one anothe
r and then it just becomes a cacophony . So, with these thoughts running through my head the band set up on stage (and it was well filled) and we played our first notes in our hometown venue. We experimented with dynamics and went from pp to ff and fff. We used Soloists to see what the acoustics were really like. Can one flute playing mf project over the other 150 players or would they be buried and left with their notes suspended from the ceiling to be lost in the wonderful labyrinth of theatre ropes, pulleys and computerized technology?
AMAZING – with the design of the Arts Centre function was actually working! NO matter where one stood or sat the acoustics were fabulous. NO mics, No electronic enhancements – PURE ACOUSTIC PLAYING – there was not a dead area in the hall and the acoustical engineers had provided a wonderful performance environment for any size group. The acoustics work for a large group and equally well for smaller ensembles. I played a few notes on flute myself and just filled the space with sound. It was a joy to perform in the intimate setting and I certainly am happy to put my stamp of approval on it. If I were to write a review it would be to give accolades to the fact that function actually works. So many of the new performing venues being built end up looking great and the Architects have a lot of fun in presenting the form of the structure but lose out on the function with the result that some of the nicest looking concerts halls today are only that – nice looking – but nothing to write home about as far as sound and performance goes. Here in Burlington – FORM meets FUNCTION! After three concerts the results are now in and the Burlington Performing Arts Centre( from a performers perspective) has my Acoustical vote. BRAVO!!!!!
What about the rest of the building – the changing rooms, performers lounge, green room, loading area, stage entrance, stage crew, sound & lighting??? Everything is accessible to the stage area which is good.
CHANGING ROOMS: Personally I thought t
hey were a little narrow for my taste (I like to fling my arms around when changing and have people in at the same time so I need lots of space). There are three of these rooms and they are well situated, each with their own shower and facilities but with four people in them it can become quite cosy. For the main group of the band we utilized a nice (smaller size auditorium /recital room) that can also be used for receptions and such like. Let’s be honest – how many times will they face the daunting task of operating with a 160 piece group?
PERFORMERS LOUNGE: A very nice area right beside the stage entrance with a couch, sitting area, fridge and microwave. Perhaps this is where I should wave my arms around and not the changing room.
GREEN ROOM is a nice area away from the main stage where any number of events can be entertained. We used it as a warm-up room which worked perfectly well with no sound filtering into the main areas whatsoever.
STAFF: The Stage & Sound and Lighting staff were absolutely outstanding! There as no grumbling or half-hearted work ethics. ALL of the staff were very professional and went out of their way to assist in putting on a first class performance. To Chris and his Merry Band of Associates – Thank You for making it easy and a pleasure. Your attitude will enhance the reputation of the Centre!
the sound being too loud! I frequently tell the band that “The sign of a good musical ensemble is one where every instrument can be heard at the same time, without any one being the dominant”. DYNAMICS and CONTROLLED playing are essential to create the different shades, colours and emotions in the music. However, even by listening and adjusting in each performance area sometimes logistics play a major role. In a small confined space all sound can bleed into one anothe
r and then it just becomes a cacophony . So, with these thoughts running through my head the band set up on stage (and it was well filled) and we played our first notes in our hometown venue. We experimented with dynamics and went from pp to ff and fff. We used Soloists to see what the acoustics were really like. Can one flute playing mf project over the other 150 players or would they be buried and left with their notes suspended from the ceiling to be lost in the wonderful labyrinth of theatre ropes, pulleys and computerized technology?AMAZING – with the design of the Arts Centre function was actually working! NO matter where one stood or sat the acoustics were fabulous. NO mics, No electronic enhancements – PURE ACOUSTIC PLAYING – there was not a dead area in the hall and the acoustical engineers had provided a wonderful performance environment for any size group. The acoustics work for a large group and equally well for smaller ensembles. I played a few notes on flute myself and just filled the space with sound. It was a joy to perform in the intimate setting and I certainly am happy to put my stamp of approval on it. If I were to write a review it would be to give accolades to the fact that function actually works. So many of the new performing venues being built end up looking great and the Architects have a lot of fun in presenting the form of the structure but lose out on the function with the result that some of the nicest looking concerts halls today are only that – nice looking – but nothing to write home about as far as sound and performance goes. Here in Burlington – FORM meets FUNCTION! After three concerts the results are now in and the Burlington Performing Arts Centre( from a performers perspective) has my Acoustical vote. BRAVO!!!!!
What about the rest of the building – the changing rooms, performers lounge, green room, loading area, stage entrance, stage crew, sound & lighting??? Everything is accessible to the stage area which is good.
CHANGING ROOMS: Personally I thought t
hey were a little narrow for my taste (I like to fling my arms around when changing and have people in at the same time so I need lots of space). There are three of these rooms and they are well situated, each with their own shower and facilities but with four people in them it can become quite cosy. For the main group of the band we utilized a nice (smaller size auditorium /recital room) that can also be used for receptions and such like. Let’s be honest – how many times will they face the daunting task of operating with a 160 piece group?PERFORMERS LOUNGE: A very nice area right beside the stage entrance with a couch, sitting area, fridge and microwave. Perhaps this is where I should wave my arms around and not the changing room.
GREEN ROOM is a nice area away from the main stage where any number of events can be entertained. We used it as a warm-up room which worked perfectly well with no sound filtering into the main areas whatsoever.
STAFF: The Stage & Sound and Lighting staff were absolutely outstanding! There as no grumbling or half-hearted work ethics. ALL of the staff were very professional and went out of their way to assist in putting on a first class performance. To Chris and his Merry Band of Associates – Thank You for making it easy and a pleasure. Your attitude will enhance the reputation of the Centre!
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