The Transcend system premiered in September 2018; its impact was felt immediately. “Performing conditions have really improved because now our players can hear across the whole orchestra,” explains Dr. Howard Hsu, Director of Orchestra Studies and Music Director of
the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, whose symphony includes both professional and student musicians. As part of the project, Wenger also installed acoustical panels on the auditorium’s side and back walls to improve the natural room acoustics and help eliminate distracting flutter echoes. Transcend offers VSU tremendous flexibility, enabling the auditorium’s acoustics to be easily tuned to suit any event or ensemble, including band, orchestra, choir, soloist or spoken word. “Every faculty member or group uses a different Transcend setting and level,” remarks Farwell. VSU faculty and students are still discovering the parameters and capabilities of the Transcend system, according to Pearce. He appreciates the ability of Wenger technicians to communicate with the system remotely for fine-tuning and diagnostics if necessary. Dr. Ben Harper, Acting Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands, values how such sophisticated technology is easy to use; he’s currently conducting both the wind ensemble and concert band. “I don’t have to think about Transcend – it just works,” he says, adding that installing Transcend was a cost-effective solution for fixing Whitehead Auditorium. “It’s like building a new auditorium for 10 percent of the cost.”