VCU Performing Arts Center

Virginia Commonwealth University has grown to become the state’s largest university, which means it also has outgrown its concert hall.

VCU has more than 30,000 students and 5,000 faculty members, but the Singleton Center for Performing Arts at VCU only holds 500 people.

“We don't even have the seats to accommodate two percent; so we'll happily accept one percent,” said Antonio Garcia, director of Jazz Studies at VCU. “And that doesn't even count potential non-VCU attendees from the city, whom we also would gladly see more of.”

Garcia said that while there is a need for a larger area for audience members, the greater desire is to fill the current space.

“Nowadays people have a great deal of activities competing for their time, and it can be a challenge to get a full house,” says Garcia.

For larger ensembles, which have a greater potential to fill the house, the performance space may feel like a sardine can. Terry Austin, director of Bands at VCU, says the space is particularly restrictive while trying to perform modern pieces.

“The stage is too small to set up adequately for my group. We end up using very cramped arrangements to fit everyone on,” Austin said. “Any music written in the last 30 years or so requires lots of percussion and that takes a lot of physical space as well as acoustical space. The size of the box makes everything too loud, and does not allow for adequate sound separation for large ensembles.”

Austin’s group, the VCU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, is not alone. The Symphonic Orchestra has also outgrown the performance space.

Packing members of these bands onstage is a hassle, but having a combined piece is out of the question.

“It is also impossible to house properly the amount of personnel required for larger works of combined ensembles, such as Symphony Orchestra plus Choral Arts, Wind Symphony plus Choral Arts, Symphony Orchestra plus Jazz Orchestra, or the like,” Garcia said.

Not only is the performance space too small for many ensembles, Garcia says the lobby also becomes easily crowded when the theater department, which performs across the hall, has an event the same night. This is particularly hazardous when performers have to use the restrooms since they have two options: the lobby or the basement.

Space is a major issue for performers and it is agreed there is a necessity for an upgrade, but until upgrades are made, everyone is embracing what the Singleton Center has to offer.

“For me it is very convenient to be able to rehearse and perform in the same space,” Austin said. “I like the fact that it is in the heart of Richmond.”

Being in the heart of Richmond allows both on-campus students and those living in the surrounding area easy access to the building.

Garcia is also grateful for aspects of the facility. “The wood in the hall brings out a warm sound that many of our guest artists are particularly pleased with,” Garcia said.

“But there are specific aspects in our facility that could greatly benefit from an upgrade.”