Planning Rationale
The music classroom is a place for students to learn and practice choral and instrumental music and is the size of a double classroom.
Design Considerations
Location
The optimal location for the music classroom is on the first floor near the gymnasium/gymnatorium. When that is not feasible, it should be within easy access to the elevator if located on upper levels. Music classrooms shall not be located adjacent to a mechanical room or any other room generating loud vibrations and noises. Do not locate directly adjacent to a classroom, library, or space which could be sensitive to noises. The location and design of this room shall be coordinated with an acoustical consultant to ensure noise and vibration are kept isolated.
Classroom Layout
- The Music Classroom shall have one wide entrance door a minimum of 4’-0” wide, or a double door, for moving timpani drums and large instruments.
- Seating shall be planned to be arranged in an arc configuration that fits 60 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 that separates the classroom from the corridor. 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 music classroom shall include an accessible drinking fountain and an accessible sink for cleaning of instruments.
- See 3.1.1 Grades 1-8 Classroom for additional requirements.
Storage Room
The storage room shall be accessible from within the classroom space. Lockable instrument storage cabinets to be located either in the adjacent lockable storage room or within the classroom. Consideration shall be given to the location of the storage room, as it can be used as a buffer to enhance sound isolation between the music room from adjacent rooms.