Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Reveals New Acoustical Shell

Today, Music Director Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) arrived at Atlanta Symphony Hall for the first rehearsals to prepare for the opening of the 2013-14 season. There has been one significant change - the stage of Symphony Hall has undergone a major acoustical renovation this summer.

Debuting this season is a new "shell," an upgraded wooden structure which fully embraces the stage, providing enclosed walls and a ceiling. This structure, designed by a dedicated team of sonic professionals -Auerbach, Pollock, Friedlander and Threshold Acoustics- has been customized to specifically meet the needs of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Atlanta Symphony Hall. The system was installed by the ASO stage crew and SECOA.

The $500k project was fully funded through generous gifts from anonymous donors.

"Because of the generosity of these donors, we were able to have this project completed for the start of our new season. On behalf of all of us at the ASO -the musicians, board, and administration- I thank them for their support of this great Orchestra," said Atlanta Symphony Orchestra President & CEO Stanley E. Romanstein, Ph.D. "This process has been a superb collaboration between the musicians, administration, stage crew, acousticians, and designers, and we look forward to unveiling the stage to our audience when the season opens next week."

"The musicians of the ASO are excited to see and hear the improvements of this beautiful new shell," said Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Players Association President Paul Murphy. "We look forward to hearing each other better on stage, and for our audiences to hear this great Orchestra in an enhanced acoustical environment."

"Knowing the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as well as I do, I was especially excited to help design this new shell system," said Threshold Acoustics Partner Dawn Schuette. "The next step in this process is for the Orchestra to play so we can hear the balance on stage and get feedback from Robert Spano and the musicians. We are all eager to learn how the shell improves the audience experience when it debuts next weekend."