February 6, 2006
The Maryland Symphony Orchestra to Debut New Orchestra Shell at the Maryland Theatre

When Elizabeth Schulze raises her baton for this weekend’s concerts, a new era will dawn for the Maryland Symphony Orchestra. Audiences will finally get to hear the results of over a year and a half of study, design and construction when a new orchestra shell makes its debut on the stage of the Maryland Theatre.

The stage plays a critical role in the success of the acoustics of any concert hall. This is particularly true for multi-purpose theatres like the Maryland Theatre where the stage is designed to accommodate a wide variety of stage shows and must be converted to become a useful performance platform for a symphony orchestra.

The construction and installation of the shell was made possible through generous donations from Mr. and Mrs. John Erath and East Coast Hardwood Veneers, Brendan and Katie Fitzsimmons, Drs. Nicholas and Jody Long, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra Guild, James and Georgia Pierné and Susquehanna Bank.

The new orchestra shell on the Maryland Theatre stage will create a totally new acoustical environment for the MSO and in the process it will greatly enhance the quality of sound for both the audience and the musicians. Designed by Akustiks of South Norwalk, Connecticut and project manager Paul Scarbrough, the shell will achieve a number of objectives. These include:

• Projecting the sound of the orchestra sound out to the audience with greater clarity and warmth
• Making the larger stage into a resonance chamber to help enhance the richness of the orchestral sound
• Blending the sounds of the various instruments
• Balancing the different sections of the orchestra
• Returning a small amount sound to the musicians so that they can better hear themselves and each other.
• Providing a more attractive visual backdrop for the Maryland Symphony Orchestra.
•The new orchestra shell has three basic elements:
• An acoustical canopy comprising three panels that float over the orchestra
• Wall towers that frame the orchestra on each side
• A sound transparent scrim that provides a simple visual backdrop for the orchestra and allows the rear wall of the stage to provide the necessary acoustical support for the rear of the orchestra

Elegant curving panels in the canopy and the wall towers have been designed to diffuse or evenly distribute the sound of the Orchestra. These elements are primarily responsible for projecting the sound of the ensemble out to the audience. Surrounding each of the curving panels is a simple coffer beam frame. The coffer beams return sound to the musicians helping them to hear across the stage and from the front of the stage to the back.

The shell is faced with rich wood veneers. The curving panels are finished in Ash and the coffer beams are finished in a contrasting Cherry. The wood was assembled by Sielig and Jones of New Freedom, Pennsylvania.

Because the Maryland Theatre is used for many other types of performances, the new orchestra shell had to be full mechanized. The canopy panels and the side wall towers are suspended on a system of winches that allow the shell to be hoisted up into the fly tower for storage. This frees the stage for other productions such as Broadway shows and the Miss Maryland pageant. Andrew McArthur of ECCS in Las Vegas was responsible for the mechanical design of the new shell. The shell itself and the winch systems were constructed and installed by Protech Theatrical Services, also of Las Vegas.

The new orchestra shell features a sophisticated acoustical design that will transform the sound of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra. The sound will have a greater sense of immediacy and impact. There will be a wonderful new richness and warmth to the sound. The shell will promote clarity and transparency, allowing listeners to discern the textures of individual instruments. At the same time, it will blend the different sections of the orchestra so that it can speak as one. By creating a better acoustic environment for the musicians, it also creates opportunities for the MSO to reach for even higher levels of artistic achievement.

“This is an exciting development that will create a more intimate and a more vibrant experience for performers and audiences alike,” said Elizabeth Schulze, Music Director of the MSO. ”Now our audiences will be able to hear the orchestra at its best from all vantage points.” Brendan Fitzsimmons, President of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors added “The new shell is a very visible symbol not only of our continuing mission to provide musical performances which both entertain and educate, but also of our commitment to this area and the emerging Arts and Entertainment District.”