New creative possibilities are unfolding in Harper Hall, a key performance space in Lawrence University’s Music-Drama Center.
Crews spent much of December reimagining the electrical components of the hall—adding state-of-the-art cameras and a projection screen, enhancing the lighting, updating the sound system, and refurbishing the control room. The upgrades modernize the performance space, enhancing functionality that will accommodate diverse performances and add layers to the preparation of students for expansive and ever-evolving careers in the music industry
With seating for nearly 250 people, Harper Hall is the site for most student and faculty recitals, as well as pre-concert talks and lectures.
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The new lighting, cameras, and screen technology will be celebrated on Jan. 25 with a faculty recital. The 8 p.m. recital will feature Conservatory faculty Brigit Fitzgerald (bassoon), Ann Ellsworth (horn), Zach Marley (tuba), Kivie Cahn-Lipman (cello), Andy Hudson (clarinet), Kristin Roach (piano), and Cayla Rosché (voice), joined by nine students and narrator Marcia Bjornerud, Walter Schober Professor of Environmental Studies and professor of geosciences. It is titled Un-earthing: An eco-geomusical about hubris and hydrofracturing.
The performance will be an opportunity to sample the amazing talents of Conservatory faculty while checking out the updated sound and lighting possibilities in Harper Hall.
Brent Hauer ’10, director of Conservatory productions, oversaw the installation. The upgrades, he said, include:
Lighting: All LED, house, and stage downlighting remain white, but there are now moving wash lights installed that are color addressable. Additionally, the entire perimeter of the ceiling cloud has color-addressable lighting that shines down onto the walls.
Conservatory of Music celebrates 150 years
PA system: It features a 7.1 surround system designed by K-Array, which enables cinema-quality playback in immersive formats. “To me this is the biggest added benefit to the hall because it provides a performance venue capable of supporting film composition students,” Hauer said. “This also works cohesively with the West Campus production studio, which will also be 7.1 surround capable with the ability to upgrade to Dolby ATMOS in the future.”
Control room: It includes a new Pro Tools-based recording system as well as updated camera control and video switching for broadcast purposes.
Front of house: It features a lighting console and digital audio console for PA control. To facilitate this, the project involved removing some seats from the back row. That also provides for better handicap accessibility, Hauer said.
Cameras: The installation included three PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras that are 4K resolution.
Projection: It includes a 4K projector and new 18-foot-wide screen that takes up most of the rear wall of the stage when deployed.
The upgrades come as Lawrence is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Conservatory during the 2024-25 academic year. While the anniversary celebrates a glorious past, the new Harper Hall technology—in conjunction with state-of-the-art academic spaces in the West Campus building set to open this fall—points the Conservatory forward.
