The Virginia Piper Theater underwent its first significant renovation three decades after its original completion. The 838-seat venue had begun to show its age, particularly when compared to newer and recently refurbished theaters in the area. The Piper was one of the first performing arts spaces to feature an electronically-driven reverberation enhancement system, designed to extend the room’s apparent reverberation time for unamplified performances. However, due to the limitations of early technology, this system was decommissioned a few years after installation, leaving the theater acoustically unfit to accommodate the desired wide range of performance types.

MCH conducted a comprehensive study of the Piper’s acoustics and audio-visual systems to optimize the venue for all performance styles, from chamber music to full symphonic concerts, while preserving its strong reputation for jazz, world music, and other popular entertainment.

The newly renovated Piper Theater now boasts expanded capacity, additional side gallery seating, a proper orchestra shell and proscenium eyebrow, acoustical cheek walls, a fully upgraded AV system, and the infrastructure to accommodate the latest state-of-the-art reverberation enhancement system.

MCH provided full-scope acoustical and AV consulting for the Piper, along with its fully refurbished, multi-use, large atrium lobby.