SINGAPORE, Nov. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanks to a major gift from an alumni to the Singapore American School (SAS) Foundation honoring the teaching and mentorship of theater coordinator Mrs. Paula Silverman, SAS has installed Southeast Asia's first Meyer Sound Constellation® acoustic system in its upgraded school auditorium. Silverman's 29 years of vision and leadership at SAS have expanded the school's dance program and supported the theater tech club, theater makeup club, and usher society. Both the school's student and community productions will benefit from Constellation in one multi-purpose auditorium space. For example, technical theater students will learn to digitally control acoustics to offer audiences a complete, customizable sound experience. This learning resource made possible by a former student's philanthropic giving will in turn give current SAS students first-hand knowledge of cutting-edge technology.
The Constellation acoustic system is a package of equipment and technical support services enabling sound settings to be pre-programmed for different performance types, setting the auditorium apart from other major performing arts venues in Singapore. Existing venues which use Constellation include Miami Beach Soundscape (Florida), Franco Dragone's House of Dancing Water (Macau), Nordea Concert Hall (Estonia), University of California San Diego (USA), and more.
Constellation is centered around Meyer Sound Laboratories' Variable Room Acoustics System (VRAS™) that gives multi-purpose venues the flexibility to instantly alter their acoustics to accommodate a variety of events, maximizing a community's benefit. Researcher Mike Poletti from Auckland, New Zealand created the VRAS with a sound-optimizing algorithm in 1997 as part of his doctoral thesis, subsequently commercialized it with LCS Audio, after which it became part of Meyer Sound's Constellation system. SAS uses a VRAS processor to generate and process multichannel sound reverberations with loudspeakers and microphones designed for the acoustic system.
Built with acoustic and digital signal processing professionals, the system fixed the 19-year-old auditorium's problem of sound leakage that prevented performers from hearing each other well, instead of directing sound back at the performers and audience. The Constellation system involves hanging a canopy of 38 microphones and over 200 speakers over the stage and audience to capture, process, then relay sound. Constellation creates optimal, flexible building acoustics that can be digitally adjusted to suit the nature of the performance without excessive materials, reducing energy consumption.
Meyer Sound's system achieved customizable reverberation times with a retrofit that used fewer building materials compared to a new construction. The auditorium's visibly labelled new seats, energy-efficient lighting, new surface materials such as carpeting, sound-absorbing and reflecting walls, improved soundproof double doors, and roof were all built in collaboration with ONG&ONG Pte. Ltd. using materials complying with the Singapore Green Label Scheme, European Union Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.
SAS students who study stage lighting, sound, video, and stage technical systems will now learn to apply calibrated sound settings to different types of performances, and study the principles behind procsesor sound sampling and optimizing reverberation. Students will develop ideas for live sound performances such as drama, musical theater, speech, jazz, symphonic band, chamber orchestra, and choir. Assistant theater manager and teacher Paul Koebnick explains, "As much as you can operate lighting to get someone's attention on something, you can also change the focus of what they're hearing. Students responsible for sound operations can change the sound settings in the middle of a show, when a different group comes on with a different song."
SAS high school senior and mixed choir member Tia Abdi said, "Before, the auditorium was really difficult to project sound in. You could be yelling from the stage and not hear an echo even if you were speaking very loudly. You could often only hear yourself sing, and it was hard to hear any other parts. Now I can hear the people around me a lot more easily, and the audience can definitely hear whether our sound is flat or ringing."
Superintendent Dr. Chip Kimball said, "As a school, we have a bold vision to be a world leader in education, cultivating exceptional thinkers, prepared for the future. The Constellation acoustic system allows us to be that world leader; it truly is the epitome of excellence. Of course, it doesn't change the work and the talent it takes to create great art. Our students and our staff are tremendous performers and talented individuals, and they work very hard to perfect their craft. The acoustic system shines light on their art. Every time we do a renewal project, we think about how a new facility can best support our programs and what we want for our kids. This auditorium is a special place; these kids are going to do amazing things in their lives."
The SAS auditorium is hosting the school's music festival featuring student choir, band, and string orchestra concerts on October 31, November 2, and November 3 respectively. Slated to welcome more performances from SAS's wide range of arts programs, the Constellation system illuminates the results of faculty leadership over many years. For more information on Constellation, visit http://www.meyersound.com/product/constellation/ .
About Singapore American School
Singapore American School (SAS) is an independent, non-profit, coeducational, college preparatory day school offering an American curriculum with an international perspective for students in preschool through grade 12. SAS has the largest Advanced Placement program outside of the United States, is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in the U.S., and offers the American High School Diploma at the senior level. Established in 1956, the school primarily serves the American and international expatriate communities of Singapore.
For more information, please visit www.sas.edu.sg or contact the SAS communications office at communications@sas.edu.sg or +65 6360 6031.
Media Contact:
Vanessa Spier (vspier@sas.edu.sg)
Strategic Director of Communications
Singapore American School
40 Woodlands Street 41 Singapore 738547
