If the multiple (soundproof) spaces you are designing can accommodate, make sure each one has a very good electronic keyboard in it. My choir loves to split into sectionals, so I just throw them in rooms with a keyboard.

I love the idea of a water fountain, but ideally, you would be able to control the temperature of the water so your students aren't drinking ice cold water then trying to sing.

Congratulations, you have quite a rewarding task on your hands.

John

We went with a lot of the above suggestions and I had appreciated reading the comments for inspiration and research ideas. Here is what we ended up with, some of which is still in the works, actually.

Wenger staging risers: set up in a 4 tier system, with back rails. Im using them as permanant, but the trouper is what we are using, in case they need to move. The chairs were a factor we decided to keep. We added to what we had. The front of the room is full mirrors with a curtain, for evaluation. This eliminated the smart board, but we are using a drop down screen that will still allow for the computer implementation. I'm hoping to implement smart music concepts this year.

Bluegrass Cellular, our local state cell phone company, donated a lot of their used but beautiful furniture from a recent renovation of theirs. (computer tables and oversized chairs for computer stations) we went with the storage cabinets for the stereo system, which will be operable through the front of the room and integrated into he microphone system. didn't have funding for the library cabinets, so that part will stay in file cabinets, probably in the closet where they are currently. ( a huge project for another day) We already had the music cabinets from Wenger from "many moons ago." My band director gave me an extra one he had that matched, so there was no need to buy new. Wenger was top notch all the way. I highly recommend them. Terrific customer support and I can not say enough about the individual and quick work we have consistently received.

Our tech dept is still in the process of of confirming our sound system, but honestly, that is not my specialty, and they do a great job. I asked for the basic items we needed and they try to take my requests and run with it. I sort am trusting them, but they havnt let us down yet. They got sound proofed doors from Wenger and the sound panels as well, per their request and their input. They are a great asset. Wenger does the installation on the band lockers and such....thank goodness.

The choir room has 1 small and 1 huge rehearsal room, along with a huge closet. The band has a huge rehearsal room, along with 2 practice rooms and 2 storage rooms, In addition to their band locker area. Each room has their own director office, also. I was thrilled with this, as I have not had this before. The rehearsal room will double as my dance room, with windows for viewing through the choir room. This room is where the smart board will be, in addition to full mirrors on the front wall. (still working on the dance bars) the choir and band rooms both are going to have the microphone taping systems through the ceiling, once again, coordinated through our tech dept. i
was even fortunate enough to get the drinking fountain, which I got the thought from here. The architect was very supportive. They added wood floors to my choir room, which has plenty of room in the front for dancing as needed.

We are a school that serves an underpriveledged population, for the most part, and this is phase 9 of a 10 phase renovation process that as taken about 10 years. This ws my first year at my school, omit was in the works many years prior to me.. The last portion is areas of the athletic facilities. This is a dream in the making for many people, but I owe everything to my principal. He spearheaded this renovation and it was so apparent what it takes to get something like this accomplished. The support of the arts programs is huge. Where financial areas were being decreased, he did his best to make sure that his students were taken care of with what had been promised. We owe him the credit, along with many others. The district did not budget for furniture. That has huge ramifications and he did everything he could to get the needed items for us. Community donations, such as Bluegrass Cellular, we're coordinated through personal friends and was a win win situation for everyone. This has taken a huge collaborative effort. It snt done yet. We start school the 2nd week in Aug. and the equipment isn't arriving until the 30th. I've told the kids we may be setting up the rooms during open house:0) I'm blessed. I taught in our district for over 10 years and up until last year, taught in a trailer. By choice, because the other alternatives were worse. This is a blessing and so so so appreciated by all of us.

Interestingly enough, our entire district has cut back on funding for all classrooms, to include the arts. We are not losing teachers and programs are not being eliminated. we are just having to raise the funds for music and basic classroom experiences. With the renovation, it makes the realities of program funding even more applicable. Just best use you are blessed with a new room does not mean you have enough monies for new music......back to the drawing board on that one.

I'm interested to hear where everyone else is and what they went with for their room. We still have a ways to go. Our renovation will have only been 3-4 months when done, so it has been an interesting experience. Crossing my fingers for completion before school starts.
Anyone else?
Thanks for your input,
Beth