Berklee Today
Associate Professor Joe Galeota (standing) works with a percussion ensemble in his African percussion room. | |
Photos by Nick Balkin |
"It was a real mess," says John Eldert, Berklee's vice president for administration. "The basement became so humid that mold began developing behind the walls, under the floors, and in the closets. President Brown supported the decision to immediately shut the whole floor down and undertake renovations to solve all of the problems."
Through the cooperation and understanding of faculty members, students, staff members, and others college-wide, all Percussion Department faculty offices, teaching studios, and ensemble rooms were moved to new locations until the year of reconstruction work was completed.
Professor Skip Hadden (background) teaches drummers in his new teaching studio. Note the exposed granite wall in the background. |
The result: a dramatically improved percussion facility that is completely up to date and visually appealing. Faculty members are thrilled with the acoustics as well. "There was a lot of thought given to the acoustics," says Eldert. "Each of the separate rooms is actually an independent box with its own concrete slab floor and an independent ceiling above. Sound-absorbent panels were placed on the walls and ceilings, and each room can be tuned acoustically."
A bonus of removing the old concrete walls was the exposure of large granite blocks that form the building's foundation. The blocks have been treated with waterproofing and are now exposed, which adds to the visual appeal and acoustic properties of the rooms.
"The Percussion Department renovation was designed to accommodate the educational needs of our students," says Percussion Department Chair Dean Anderson. "The larger spaces will provide the proper setting for the students to succeed in their learning experience. In addition, the acoustics and storage capability of this new space are terrific upgrades from the previous facilities."