Band Room Size
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nafmeadmin.
nafmeadminI am in a bit of a situation with my current school and rehearsal space. I currently teach GM, K-6 in a smallish classroom (600 sq ft). I also have a 6th and a 7th/8th band. With my enrollment numbers rising, we no longer fit into this area and must rehearse in the theater, which displaces the drama teacher and other happenings. So over the summer, there is talk about building a “band room” and I was approached and asked how much space I need. I have no idea! I’m fairly spatially challenged so I don’t know what to say back. I know I would like at least twice the space I have now for a rehearsal area, but also storage space and maybe a few small private rooms for sectionals and private lessons. What do you guys think is an adequate size room for a middle school band? I don’t think I would ever have more than 70 or 80 kids, just based on our school population. Thanks!
nafmeadminYour state Department of Education probably has guidelines or requirements for facilities. I did a quick internet search and found Virginia’s. They say you should have a minimum of 20 square feet per member of the largest group, 12.5 feet ceilings and 200 feet of storage space for a middle school band room.
If you can not find your state’s requirements, I would find information from several other states to present. My experience is that it will be a larger space then administrators initially think.
nafmeadminBuild for the future. Nothing worse than a 5 year old facility you’ve already outgrown. I’m dealing with that on our new stage (built just before my arrival). Program has tripled in 5 years.
nafmeadminCheck out the Design Professionals page on http://www.wengercorps.com. When you click on it, there’s a pdf called “Planning Guide for Music Facilities.” They have everything on there you will ever need to know about size, space, acoustics, for every type of music classroom. We are in the process of planning renovations for my building and this has been my best friend. I also teach middle school band and my room is way too small for my kids as well, so I feel ya. Best of luck to you!
nafmeadminWenger Corporation (wengercorp.com) has a Planning Guide for Music Facilities that is very good. They will also consult. Don’t ignore acoustic principles or you might be dealing with hearing loss. I know of one program that OSHA investigated and required all staff and students to wear earplugs! Don’t take the planning lightly. And I agree, administrators and architects who aren’t aware of acoustic requirements will try to go smaller. Educate them and advocate for the program.
No, I don’t work for Wenger 🙂
Christopher M. Johnson, Professor of Music Education and Music Therapy, is currently the Chair of the Music Education and Music Therapy Department and Director of the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. Johnson earned his Ph.D. from the Florida State University.
Since his arrival at The University of Kansas, Johnson has taught courses in Instrumental Conducting, Teaching Instrumental Music, Managing Behaviors in the Music Environment, Psychology and Acoustics of Music, and Research Methods in Music Education and Music Therapy. Johnson served two terms as the editor of the International Journal of Music Education: Research, the research publication of the International Society for Music Education. He is currently serving his second term on the National Association for Music Educations Executive Committee of the Society for Research in Music Education. He also served on the editorial board of the Journal of Research in Music Education, and one earlier term as the Chair for the MENC Executive Committee of the Society for Research in Music Education. Johnson also served as the Chair for the Research Commission of the International Society for Music Education.
Johnson’s research interests include applied research in music education, and basic research in all aspects of the psychology of music. He has published articles in many journals including the Journal of Research in Music Education, the International Journal of Music Education, the Journal of Music Therapy, Journal of Band Research, Contributions to Music Education, and the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, among others. Johnson has also been an active member and contributor to the Research Seminar of the International Society for Music Education and World Alliance for Arts Education.
Johnson received a university teaching award – the Ned N. Fleming Award for Excellence in Teaching and received the recognition for Graduate Teaching Achievement from the Center for Teaching Excellence. Johnson was also awarded a lecturing & research award as a J. William Fulbright Scholar and recently received the Ella Scoble Opperman Citation for Distinguished Achievement from the Florida State University College of Music.
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