The Sonoma Academy Performing Arts Center in Santa Rosa, CA was a ground up construction project on the hillside of the school grounds. Initial talks on this project go back to May 2020 with groundbreaking on May 2, 2022. The project was completed April 2024.
Gordon Barnes, PCD’s Manager of Design Engineers took on this project working with the project designer, Ian Hunter at The Shalleck Collaborative.
Led by DPR Construction and working along side Long Electric the PCD team went to work. The system was comprised of Dolby Atmos audio, Meyer Sound speakers and a Christie Cinema projector with a Strong MDI screen. The Dolby Atmos system was donated by one of the parents after the initial design, turning the PAC into Cinema Quality audiovisual experience.
The racks were prebuilt and tested at PCD headquarters before being landed at the PAC site. The system was powered with a Dolby amplifier for the theater and QSC for the program paging system speakers. QSC, Dolby and Meyer Sound Digital Sound Processors were used in unison. Dolby speakers were used for the screen speakers and Meyer Sound powered speakers were used for the overall sound system. Shure microphones, QSYS control system, Clear Com program paging system and Listen Tech Assisted listening rounds out the audio system. A custom mounted Christie 4K Cinema projector with a High Contrast lens and a Strong MDI 17 foot high and 31½ foot wide screen provides the video.
In addition to the PAC, a classroom for the center was also outfitted with audio / video. In addition, an FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) package was put together which included portable equipment for performances, a mixing console and Dolby Screen system speakers installed on custom built portable carts.
