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@ Tanglewood Koussevitsky Music Shed

The Tanglewood Music Shed Rennovation

Since 1934 concerts have been held during July and August in the amusingly named Koussevitsky Music Shed on the grounds of Tanglewood, a very fine estate located about a mile from the town center of Lenox, MA out in the Berkshire Hills. Annually the number one event is the Tanglewood Music Festival, the summer home of Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO).

The main concept of the Music Shed is a simple but very spacious concert hall capable of holding a complete Mahler-size symphony orchestra. In addition to the strains of the symphonic blend from the BSO, there are performances by young and extremely promising musicians attending advanced training at the Tanglewood Music Center

The Challenge

The Koussevitsky Shed, having been build back in the 1930's, was naturally in need of renovation. There had been overhead acoustical paneling added back in 1948, but the building interior was due for a facelift. The main factor was adding new components while maintaining the historic nature of the interior. For example:

• rigging, high ironwork.
• repair & refurbish the entire overhead acoustical paneling system.
• re-rigging the system while maintaining tolerances of the original overhead acoustical paneling system.

Our Solution

The team at High Output decided lowering the entire overhead acoustical paneling system from 1948 to do their repair and refurbishment work was the best option. They re-rigged the system with new weather resistant stainless steel components of a design created in consultation with the engineer.

The Outcome

The entire system at the Shed was restored to within 1/4-inch of its' original spatial relationships, faithfully preserving the unique and world-famous sound quality of the hall. In addition, High Output supervised the installation of a new steel catwalk, as well as the demolition and re-sheathing of the entire upper rear wall of the building.