Design Checklists - Music Teaching Spaces

Things to consider:

• Relationship of suite of rooms and also how they will work with other subjects.
• Community access and security requirements.
• Acoustics - both making the best use of performance spaces and preventing sound bleed to external spaces.
• Consider how your practice rooms will be accessed and booked - what sort of system could you put in place - electronic booking system, swipe cards, 'room in use' signs, spy holes etc.

Tick these off when you've considered them.
click to tick / double click to Un-tick

Do provide secure lockable storage for students to use (which can be accessed from main corridor) and which are appropriate in size and shape to store instruments.

Do specify non-parallel walls and mirrors in practice spaces.

Do consider flexible use of teaching spaces - fixed benches for keyboards may be appropriate now but will you be using them in 5 years time?

Do consider ICT requirements carefully - e.g. Is a recording studio the best answer or would a portable studio with hardwiring in each music room be more appropriate.

Tick these off when you've considered them.
click to tick / double click to Un-tick

Don't forget storage of music stands and instruments.

Don't forget good quality notice boards for displaying performance and club information.

Please read the DfES publication, BB86- The Design Guide for Secondary Music Accommodation tel. 0870 600 522 to buy a copy and the Case Study from the Sage Gateshead