Telus Studio Centre - Relocated Space
What Happened?
For the past 25 years, our large ensembles have rehearsed in the iconic Chan Shun Concert Hall and the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. This space is integral to our training, providing appropriate acoustics, safe sound levels, and the professional environment necessary for preparing large-scale performances. However, with recent changes in administration at the Chan Centre, our rehearsal space has been relocated to the Telus Studio Theatre, which is a much smaller venue with drastically different acoustics.
This sudden change has left our community disappointed and concerned. The Telus Studio Theatre is not designed to accommodate the volume and size of large ensembles and rehearsing there poses risks to hearing damage while also compromising musical preparation. What’s more, this decision was made without prior consultation or explanation, and was only announced to the students after tuition was paid.
We have now been informed that this relocation was to accommodate “increased programming” at the Chan Centre.
Statements:
To MUSA From The Protest:
“With great regret, I have advised by letter the UBC Senate and President that I am returning my Honourary degree (LLD 1997) to protest in the strongest terms available to me.”
-David Lemon, Health Arts Society, Founder
“This is not a simple administrative decision, having been made with due consideration but clearly lacks oversight for human health and safety. In addition, it seems educational and cultural values and individual and collective commitment to enduring traditions that make great institutions were overlooked.”
-Jesse Read, Former Director of UBC School of Music (1996-2007)
“The decibel level of a large ensemble in the Telus space is MUCH higher than that of a typical chamber ensemble in the same space. Furthermore, commercial recordings in the large hall would cease. The UBC Symphony and Choirs' recordings have earned 3 Western Canadian Music Awards, many WCMA nominations and 3 JUNO nominations. Why destroy precious prestige to UBC?”
-Dr. Stephen Chatman, Professor Emeritus, Former Head of Composition at UBC School of Music
Current Students and Alumni Saying:
“I learned how to project and change my sound to fill a large acoustic space: a skill that is impossible to practice in smaller rooms.”
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“I believe [rehearsing in the Chan Shun Concert Hall] is one of the main attractors for future students considering pursuing music at UBC.”
“This move seems to reiterate that student ensembles are seen as an unprofitable/inconvenient extracurricular, rather than a group of professionals in training.”
“I would be upset if I were paying to attend a university with a world-class concert hall, only to be kept steps away in a venue that’s acoustically worse than the halls of much smaller institutions.”
“I am now a professional orchestral musician and can link my comfort on stage directly to rehearsals at the Chan.”
“The Chan Shun Concert Hall is on the UBC campus and should therefore first and foremost be a resource for the UBC students and faculty.“
“It’s disappointing to see the university prioritize profit over its paying students.”
Chan Shun Concert Hall - Original Rehearsal Space
Sign Our Petition!
To address this, MUSA has launched a petition calling for the restoration of our rehearsal location to the main concert hall. Your support would mean so much to our community! Please consider signing the petition and reposting our Instagram post.
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The following link and QR will allow you to directly access the petition: HERE
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