Named in honour of two generous friends of Bishop's University, Mona Blair Bandeen and former chancellor Robert A. Bandeen, Bandeen Hall is the centrepiece of musical life on the campus of the University. A welcome complement to the excellent cultural facilities already provided by Centennial Theatre, the 156-seat Bandeen Hall combines modern technical services with the rich acoustics and the intimate grace of a nineteenth-century building.
Built in 1897 as the University's first gymnasium, the oldest part of the Norton complex has become the present day recital hall. Even before the addition of the two residence wings (1949), the hall had been called to numerous other vocations: a drill hall, a social centre, a dining hall, and, most recently, the studio for the Department of Fine Arts. The recent restoration, conceived by architect Paul-André Caouette, has carefully preserved the architectural integrity of the building, highlighting its most captivating features, while at the same time providing a functional home for music making and music learning.
Public access to the facility is through the inviting lobby where the bluestone floor, the arched windows and elegant circular stairway announce the building's original charms. The recital hall itself is dominated by a large bay window at centre stage and the vaulted ceiling, restored to assure superb acoustical response. Architecturally, Bandeen Hall echoes the historic St. Mark's Chapel across the quad and serves to remind the listener of the University's ecclesiastical past. All necessary amenities are close at hand: box office, vestairy, bar, washrooms, and artists' facilities.
The beauty of Bandeen Hall is more than skin deep. Designed to assure maximum comfort, efficiency and flexibility, the recital hall can be reconfigured for a variety of different uses, including recording sessions or rehearsals for large ensembles. A sophisticated sound and lighting system, including MIDI channels for electronic music, can be controlled from the balcony or side stage. And the hall is air-conditioned to assure year-round comfort. Beyond the hall itself, the Norton complex provides three chamber music rehearsal studios, climate controlled, and equipped with a 1985 Beaupré harpsichord, a 7' German Steinway, and a 1978 Wilhelm positive organ. A modern electronic music studio is equipped with up-to-date computer synthesis hardware. Two dedicated classrooms with audio-visual services and nine large, sunlit practice rooms complete the facility.
Designed to meet the needs of the Department of Music at Bishop's University, the facilities are ideal for other music-related uses, and conference. With this flexibility, Bandeen Hall and the entire Norton complex is sure to take its place as a cultural resource for the larger community.
