ELLEY LONG MUSIC CENTER
COLCHESTER, VT

The Elley Long Music Center provides rehearsal and performance facilities for the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association. Part of the U.S. Army Fort Ethan Allen, the building was originally built in 1895 as a riding drill hall for the Third U.S. Cavalry. The construction cost at that time was $20,000.00. Later renovations converted the building to gymnasium use.

The renovation by the VYOA preserves the full volume of the massive riding hall, but subdivides the space to create rehearsal rooms, teaching studios, and offices. Visitors enter an indoor street leading to the different music rooms, with the performance hall open through an archway at the far end.

The performance hall features a permanent stage shell to give the orchestra early reflections and provide a strong, clear sound for the audience. Suspended sound reflector panels above the audience area continue the line of the overhead shell, providing early reflections as well as diffusion.

Walls are treated with a combination of geometric shapes and areas of sound absorption panels, to create diffusion. Sound absorbing panels on the upper sidewalls and at the rear ceiling control reverberation in this 50 ft. high space. To stay within the limited budget, the air handling system for the performance space is mounted on the ground outside the building.

The space is used by other performing groups, including the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. After the first VSO rehearsal in the new space, conductor Jaimie Laredo said "After this, we will never be satisfied with the acoustics in our other performance spaces".