Preparing for concert performance using virtual acoustics

Performing in an unfamiliar venue can be a daunting task, especially when given a limited amount of time to familiarize oneself with the space. In the context of a busy university music program, students are often only able to practice in the hall once before their concerts. In the present work, students preparing for recitals rehearsed in a virtual model of the concert hall for varying amounts of time before their first experience in the hall. Recordings of the rehearsals in both the physical and virtual halls were analyzed for dynamic range and temporal differences. The musicians also answered subjective questionnaires about if the virtual acoustics system helped them prepare for their recitals. This study also presents preliminary results assessing the feasibility of integrating virtual acoustics into recital preparation in a music conservatory program.