Re: Choir acoustics

["Timothy D. Wilson" <wilson@chemsun.chem.umn.edu>]

Swanson, Rick wrote:

> Can anyone recommend ways to improve the acoustics for a choir in a
> church with a limited budget.
>
> The chapel seats about 400 and they think that the sound is "dead".
> Some of the members were told to "ask a physics teacher". So they did.
>
> Anyone got suggestions or people to ask?

Unfortunately,  most of the "plush" things that people like at church
(e.g., padded pews, carpeted floors, wall hangings) are exactly the things
that kill the acoustics. None of the really great churches or cathedrals
I've sung in have every had carpeting or padded pews. Too much absorption.
Even the brand new, beautiful concert hall at my alma mater (Bethel
College, St. Paul, Minnesota) has a smooth concrete floor--although the
seats are padded.

Of course parallel walls like those found in most churches don't help
either. The church members will probably find that they aren't willing to
pay the price in comfort to achieve an improvement in their acoustics.

Later,
Tim

--
Timothy D. Wilson                    "A little song, a little dance,
Henry Sibley High School              a little seltzer down your pants."
1897 Delaware Ave, W St. Paul, MN          -Chuckles the Clown as
wilson@chemsun.chem.umn.edu                 eulogized by Ted Baxter