The first inaugural performance “Orchestras in Review” and Open House in Ponca City Public School’s new Concert Hall brought standing room only crowds. Superintendent of School Shelley Arrott gave the opening address at both events and thanked the many people who made this new venue a reality.
The real heroes of this facility are our citizens,” stated Arrott. “Without your desire to make sure Ponca City students had the best facilities to foster excellent educational and extra-curricular opportunities, this Concert Hall would not be a reality. In October of 2015, our citizens voted the passage of a $37 million bond issue that included this Concert Hall. As a result, we now have a venue that will enhance our students’ lives forever.”
PCPS Orchestra Director Paula Macpherson Cochran said, “We are honored and grateful for the astounding opportunity to have a Concert Hall of this caliber in Ponca City. This is a monumental opportunity for our students to develop and perform in an acoustical environment that showcases each of the ensembles. We are still star-struck by the elegance and grandeur of the Hall. Thank you Ponca City.”
“Our Concert Hall is the finest facility of its kind in this part of the country and will give our students a venue they deserve and our patrons a venue of which they can be justifiably proud,” said Ponca City Band Director David Christy. “Thanks are due to our administration and school board and especially to Bret Smith and Paula Cochran for their efforts.”
The $11 million dollar facility has a seating capacity of 1,204, it has approximately 40 K square feet of floor space. It is 62’ tall, and there are over 5000 sheets of sheet rock in the room alone. The facility is actually an instrument in and of itself. The curtains may be open or closed to impact the tone and brightness of the music quality depending on several factors, including the type and size of the group performing.
The building is a true concert Hall; it is not a performing arts center. There is no proscenium arch. It only has a platform so that performers are featured in the same room with their audience. Ponca City is the only public school in the state that has a true Concert Hall. This facility was engineered to be designed acoustically to the size of the performance and was planned to the sound engineers’ specifications from such things as the placement and width of the walls, texture, HVAC System, seating, and the wall coverings. The building was designed to keep the sound produced by musicians inside the building and to keep out outside noises.
“I would like to thank those who worked tirelessly to make this building come to life,” reported Arrott. “PCPS Board current Board members: Don Nuzum, Robin Riley, David Kinkaid, Judy Throop, Nancy Zimmerscheid, as well as former Board member Marvin Clark. PCPS Executive Director of Operations Bret Smith has seen this project through from beginning to end. He has been the constant in this endeavor and has put his heart and soul into ensuring distinction of this facility. We have had changes in administration and numerous other changes, but Bret has led all of us who entered the project after the process had already begun. Former PCPS Superintendent Dr. David Pennington, my predecessor, is also responsible for providing input and vision for our bond projects and this concert hall. I would like to say thank you publicly to both of them for their leadership and guidance.”
“Our City leaders have also been supportive and integral members of this process. Lewis and Associates Architects, Richard Winterrowd and Sally Talley, Principal Architects/Owners and former owner Troy Lewis. The Kyler Construction family is the management company who oversaw the project to completion. Ross Kyler was the Project Manager and Paul Kyler was Contract Manager. Two other integral companies involved were Professional Engineering Consultants, engineers who worked with Lewis and Associations to design the electrical and mechanical portions, and K2Acoustics AV Technology Design Company, that planned the design and specifications that controlled the entire project. Of the 20 subcontractors on this project, 14 of the major subcontractors were local, which brought business to our community.”
Superintendent Arrott closed by thanking all PCPS employees and the entire student body. “Every time I saw a student last week, they told me how excited they were about the new Concert Hall. Even students who are not involved with our music programs. I am so proud of our students for how they support each other and ALL of our Wildcats.”
“The love and support everyone has demonstrated for our students, our school, and our community has shaped who we are and what we are known for. Thank you parents for being here for your children, and supporting them with all of their educational and extra-curricular activities and opportunities. Your children are our children. Thank you for sharing them with us, and thank you for being an integral part of our educational team.”
