4.1.2 Music Suite | Chicago Public Schools

Planning Rationale

For the typical high school, the music program consists of a large suite containing two large classrooms, storage, practice rooms and offices with both Instrumental and Choral classrooms having access to the practice rooms. The Music Suite shall have one wide entrance door a minimum of 4’-0” wide, or double 3’-0” doors, for moving large equipment and instruments. This suite is located on the ground/first floor adjacent to the gymnatorium/auditorium for easy access to the stage and adjacent to the outdoor field for proximity when the school has a marching band. Placing the suite on the ground/first floor eliminates the need to transport instruments vertically in the building, although in some instances, an upper level suite can be implemented if a first floor location is not feasible.

Placement of storage rooms assist with acoustical separations. The Music Suite shall not be adjacent to a mechanical room or any other room generating loud vibrations and noises and shall not be directly adjacent to a classroom or library or any other space which could be sensitive to noise.

It is essential that the classrooms and practice rooms have required acoustical separation both horizontally and vertically. If other spaces are located above or below the music suite proper separation for vibration and sound isolation is required. The classrooms benefit from a taller than typical ceiling height for optimal acoustics and shall be considered during preliminary planning as the standard classroom floor to floor heights will not align. Special attention must be paid to the shape of the rooms and the placement of acoustic diffusion and absorption panels. Required STC ratings, specifications and details must be adhered to for the various areas and can be found on the following specific Room Data sheets and Chapter 2.7 Acoustics.

Music Suite Components

Classroom Layout

The Instrumental Music classroom shall have one wide entrance door a minimum of 4’-0” wide, or double 3’-0” doors, for moving timpani drums and large instruments.
Seating shall be planned to be arranged in an arc configuration that fits 48 stackable chairs. The student seating shall span across the widest portion of the room and face the primary teaching wall, that is to be located on the long wall. This orientation allows the teaching wall to be maximized.
The teaching wall shall be positioned where the instructor has visibility of the classroom and instrument storage doors. The office, when directly adjacent off of the classroom shall have a vision panel in door.
A conductor station shall be provided that includes a chair, music stand, and a podium.
The music classroom shall include an accessible drinking fountain and an accessible sink for cleaning of instruments.
Storage space for portable risers should be planned.
See 4.1.1 Grades 9-12 Classroom for additional requirements.

Acoustics

Provide acoustical treatment in accordance with acoustical consultant direction, including wall, ceiling, floor, door, and frame construction. See Instrumental Music Room Data sheets for more detailed information. Volume of the room shall be such that floor areas over 1,000 SF shall have ceilings of 16’-0”-18’-0”, whereas floor areas under 1,000 SF shall have ceiling heights of 10’-0”-16’-0”.

Classroom Layout:

The Choral classroom shall have one wide entrance door a minimum of 4’-0” wide, or double 3’-0” doors, for moving large instruments.
Seating shall be planned to accommodate 48 stackable chairs. Stackable chairs can be placed on optional portable risers. The risers shall span across the widest portion of the room and face the primary teaching wall, that is to be located on the long wall. This orientation allows the teaching wall to be maximized.
A conductor station shall be provided that includes a chair, music stand, and a podium.
The Choral classroom shall include an accessible drinking fountain and an accessible sink.
See 4.1.1 Grades 9-12 Classroom for additional requirements.

Acoustics

Practice Rooms

Locate immediately at entrance of Music Suite to allow for use by both Instrumental Music and Choral Classrooms without having to access through the Instrumental Music or Choral Classrooms.

Instrument Storage

Room for various sizes of instrument storage lockers (lockable and vented). The linear footage and size of storage depend on the schools’ programs. Minimum suggested quantity to accommodate 80 instruments for more than one class. Space for timpani drums shall be accommodated. Must be a secure room with access via double doors each with a vision panel. Direct access from the Instrumental music classroom is required for supervision. An additional second exit to corridor if programmatically required and space permits. If this is the case then doors must have acoustical separation.

Uniform Storage

Provide space to store band uniforms. This includes rods to hang uniforms as well as shelving.

Robe Storage

Provide space to store robes for the choral students. This includes rods to hang robes as well as shelving.

Offices

Provide one each for Choral and Instrumental Music Classrooms located immediately adjacent to the classrooms. Ideal for testing students during class and allows for supervision of others through vision glass.

Music Theory

This is the same as a standard classroom and is usually not located within the Music Suite. Optimal location is directly adjacent to the Music Suite and includes additional acoustic separation and furniture based portable sound system provisions.

Room Data Sheets

4.1.2 INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC ROOM DATA SHEET

4.1.2 CHORAL CLASSROOM DATA SHEET

4.1.2 MUSIC THEORY CLASSROOM DATA SHEET

4.1.2 LARGE PRACTICE ROOM DATA SHEET

4.1.2 SMALL PRACTICE ROOM DATA SHEET

4.1.2 MUSIC SUITE OFFICE DATA SHEET

4.1.2 INSTRUMENT STORAGE ROOM DATA SHEET

4.1.2 UNIFORM STORAGE ROOM DATA SHEET

4.1.2 ROBE STORAGE ROOM DATA SHEET

Room Layout Template

4.1.2 MUSIC SUITE