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Exclusive The Tung Auditorium live performance invitation for staff and students

University of Liverpool staff and students can enjoy a sneak preview of live performance in the spectacular, freshly constructed Tung Auditorium in the new Yoko Ono Lennon Centre – and help developers ensure the acoustics are as immaculate as they should be.

On Wednesday, acoustic consultants, Arup would like a full audience in the new concert hall so the firm can carry out all the necessary tests in real-life conditions – ahead of the official opening in March.

This is an exclusive invitation to staff and students to be part of that audience, and enjoy completely free performances from Ruth Minton on the piano; Jose Hernandis-Boil and Lee Ward on trombone and piano; the University Chamber Choir; Big Band; and LUMS Symphony Orchestra; Q-Quartet; Beige Savannah; and guzheng player Xiaoxiao Hou, with electronics from Liam Carey.

The performances will be interspersed with short explanations around The Tung Auditorium’s sound design.

The Tung Auditorium Artistic Director, Richard Hartwell said: “As a final part of the construction project, we need a real, live audience to come and experience the first ever performances in The Tung Auditorium.

“It will be a little bit like a concert, with a range of performances, but this is actually a crucial part of the design process. The acousticians, Arup will be there measuring how things sound and making sure everything works as intended, including the state-of-the-art ‘adjustable acoustics’!

“Not only is this a chance to be one of the first to hear live music in the space, the acousticians need to know what music sounds like with lots of people in the room, so you will be playing an active part in the testing. It may not be as slick as a proper concert, but it will hopefully be very interesting!”

Free tickets are now available to book for the testing event, and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

The Tung Auditorium is designed to be an acoustically optimised, flexible music performance space, capable of facilitating chamber music, vocal groups, electro-acoustic and multi-media work, or up to a 70-piece orchestra.

The first public performances to take place in the city’s new cultural destination will be the University’s Lunchtime Concert series, before a full programme of activity is launched at the beginning of February.

Arup, working with Ellis Williams, the Liverpool architects behind the build, will be seeking to test the acoustics of the hall, which has been designed with optimum performance in mind.

The staging is solid oak, with solid plaster walls and ceilings to avoid unwanted resonance; the wood panelling is deliberately asymmetrical to diffuse sound in the best way; lighting, projection and air extraction is totally silent; it is entirely insulated from outside sounds; the ‘shoebox’ shape is ideally configured for the audience; and the acoustics are fully adjustable, with 12 sections of acoustic curtains able to transform the sound. Even the thickness and density of the seat foam was assessed for its acoustic response.

There will be filming and photography taking place at this event. Ticket holders consent to this for publicity and broadcast purposes. Attendees are not permitted to record any part of the performance.

The Acoustic Test Event will take place at The Tung Auditorium, Yoko Ono Lennon Centre, 60 Oxford Street L7 3NY, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on Wednesday 26 January. Tickets are free but booking is essential. To secure your spot, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-tung-auditorium-acoustic-test-with-audience-tickets-221888874597

COVID REGULATIONS: This event is only open to staff and students of the University. Please observe the University’s Covid Control Measures in place at the time of this event. In the event of a change to Government guidelines requiring us to reduce audience capacity, tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis and you will be notified whether or not we have been able to allocate you a seat.

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