Hunter Smith Band Building

UVA’s new Hunter Smith Band Building is now among the few college buildings in the nation dedicated to supporting a marching band. The 18,000 SF building features three levels of rehearsal halls, practice rooms, instrument and uniform storage, and offices. The spaces are dedicated to supporting the UVA Cavalier Marching Band, the basketball band, the Olympic sports ensemble, the wind ensemble, and the concert band.

The 4,000 SF rehearsal hall can accommodate the 225-250 musician marching band and other university bands. Beige “clouds” of acoustic fabric hang from a ceiling 52 feet high; panels of dark blue and beige fabric line three walls with a lattice of sound-absorbing wood on the fourth. Twelve-foot windows, including panels specially buffered against noise from the adjoining railroad tracks, open the room to views of other arts buildings as well as historic Lambeth Field. The smaller rehearsal room sports gold drapes to soak up sound, making both spaces acoustically “dry”—no reverb and no echo.

As the Marching Band’s new home, the building also serves as a unique gathering space for family, friends, and alumni during the very active football and basketball seasons.