Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall Renovation

Completed over a five-year period, in multiple phases to accommodate Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s regular season schedule, the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall renovation included major upgrades to the sound reinforcement system, production intercom and video systems as well as the audio-video wiring infrastructure. Auerbach Pollock Friedlander, following guidelines set by the acoustician, provided design and technical support for acoustical upgrades and design of the new performance sound system tailored specifically to the room.

The firm’s technical design for a new over-stage rigging and acoustical canopy included provisions for a loudspeaker array that can be dropped down through the canopy for amplified presentations. This enables everyone in the hall to hear the spoken word clearly while providing monitoring for the orchestra and reinforcement for patrons seated within the stage side boxes. An additional cardioid subwoofer is located above the canopy. Stage-lip loudspeakers were also installed within the front faces of the fixed stage and forestage extension lift. These work with the loudspeaker array to provide additional sound coverage to the front rows, and to help bring the sound image down to the stage. The self-powered loudspeakers can be remotely monitored via computer network. The loudspeaker systems are fed by a computer controlled digital audio signal processing system and new sound mixing console.

Other audio-video improvements included a new video system with an automated remotely controlled camera that enables backstage creative and technical staff to see the conductor, wired and wireless intercom system, an audio program monitor system for performers to listen for their cues backstage and a wireless FM system for the hearing impaired.

Auerbach Pollock Friedlander also provided complete theatre design consulting and technical support.

Architect: RTKL Associates, Inc.
Acoustics: Kirkegaard Associates
Cost: $11,000,000
Completion: 2002