A Glorious New Sound

The installation of a modern sound system and recording studio in McGuire Auditorium opens a world of possibilities.

The sound of live performances in McGuire Auditorium – and the ability to preserve them – got a little sweeter in February following the installation of a new sound system and recording studio courtesy of donations from two couples: Dr. John and Dr. Betty Thompson, of Portland, Ore., and Mark and Barbara Denton of Shelton, Wash. The Thompsons’ gift provided a new sound system and acoustical treatments in McGuire Auditorium. They made the gift to commemorate the inauguration of college President Andrea P. Cook, Ph.D.

“We wanted this gift to honor Dr. Cook as the college’s seventh president,” said Dr. John Thompson.

The Dentons’ gift complimented the new sound system by funding the construction of a recording studio in the lower level of McGuire Auditorium, which will enable live recordings from the stage upstairs or from an adjacent classroom.

“This is something that is going to be great in the lives of students,” said Mark Denton. “With this talent and equipment, they’re going to be able to spread love and joy throughout the world.”

The need for an improved sound system became obvious in 2009 after the college removed the pews from McGuire and polished the aggregate floor to allow the use of chairs. The floor’s smooth surface looked great, but it made the room too bright, acoustically.

The new system will provide a more balanced, robust sound. In addition, lining the auditorium walls are six large theatre curtains that can be drawn to help absorb sound.

“It’s really alive when you want a choral experience, but when you are using bands or orchestras, you can dampen the room down,” said John Walters, a producer with Church of God Ministries’ “Christians Broadcasting Hope” radio program, and the person who led the installation. “You can just hear a lot better in there.”