Wenger Corporation Technology Enhances University of St. Thomas' New STEAM Facility

	"The Transform banners help provide flexible acoustics in both music spaces so we can better accommodate groups of various sizes," explains Orzolek.

Wenger Corporation installs Transform Motorized Acoustical Banners in the University of St. Thomas' new Center for STEAM Education in St. Paul, Minnesota. These banners are integral to the acoustical design of the Sarah Rose Hall Instrumental Rehearsal space and Choral Performance Hall, allowing the acoustics to be tailored to various educational and performance activities.

"Wenger is proud to be a part of this leading-edge facility at the University of St. Thomas," says Dave Thomas, president and CEO of Wenger Corporation. "We welcomed the opportunity to demonstrate Wenger's leadership in acoustical solutions for these spaces."

The Schoenecker Center opened in early 2024 as the campus hub for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) disciplines. Spanning 130,000 square feet across five levels, the facility also includes state-of-the-art science labs, art gallery, café, and communal spaces. The project's acoustical consultant was Jaffe Holden; the two companies have collaborated for decades on a variety of projects.

"The Transform banners help provide flexible acoustics in both music spaces so we can better accommodate groups of various sizes," explains Doug Orzolek, professor of Music and Director of Graduate Programs in Music Education at St. Thomas. "In rehearsals, deploying the banners helps me and my students hear more distinctly, which is crucial as we're focusing on notes, rhythms and articulation accuracy."

Transform banners offer adjustable spacing options -- both in distance from walls and between fabric layers. Banners deploy quietly and quickly, up to 45' per minute, with tubular motors designed for either operator-controlled or pre-set environments. Fabric options include velour or wool serge; banners come in a range of heights and widths. One of the interdisciplinary courses held in the Schoenecker Center is Musical Acoustics, co-taught by Orzolek and Jeff Jalkio, a professor of Physics. Supplemental educational resources used by students include several Wenger Planning Guides, including the Acoustics Primer and Performance Spaces Planning Guide. "The Guides provide a solid foundational understanding of room acoustics, helping students apply theoretical concepts in practical scenarios," Orzolek notes.