The previously-mentioned Deane Cameron Recording Studio ( on the seventh floor of the Allied Music Centre ) won ’ t be completed until Summer 2022 , McKendrick explains , and , at the time of our discussion , technology had yet to be firmed up for the space . When operational , however , it will function as a fullon recording / mixing facility with a dedicated control room , a live room that can serve as a classroom / educational space , and two artist writing rooms that will each be equipped with small-scale recording systems .
The studio will also be able to capture audio from any of the venues throughout Massey and the Allied Music Centre . “ You ’ ll also be able to record video and stream out of the studio itself using a robotic camera and lighting package , so it ’ s very much a turnkey production studio ,” McKendrick notes , adding that naming the studio for Cameron is a fitting tribute . Given Cameron ’ s dedication to raising the profile of Canadian artists domestically and internationally , it ’ s also a natural extension of Cameron ’ s dedication to the Canadian music industry and lengthy tenure as president of EMI Records Canada . “ Deane was never one to want a fuss made about him , but I think he would ’ ve liked it at the same time .”
Opened in 1894 , Massey Hall was designed by architect Sydney R . Badgley in 1892 , on land owned by businessman and philanthropist Hart Massey . Massey gifted the land and venue to Toronto in memory of his son , Charles , in order to provide the city with a venue dedicated to the development of the performing arts that was accessible to rich and poor alike .
Since then , it ’ s featured a huge range of performances , including jazz icons Charles Mingus , Dizzy Gillespie , Oscar Peterson , and Charlie Parker , and the likes of Stravinsky , Glenn Gould , and Rush , to name just a few .
Badgley ’ s history of designing churches had a substantial impact on the building ’ s design , the main venue proper , and , early on , the huge number of choral concerts featuring choirs from all across North America that were hosted there . Fittingly , the venue has inspired a deep reverence in the artists who ’ ve performed there . For example , Steve Earle said in a 2019 interview with FYI Music News that “ Massey Hall is my favorite place to play in the world … I hope they don ’ t fuck it up with their renovation . It ’ s not just a national treasure – it ’ s … an international treasure .”
Consequently , as McKendrick has said previously , balancing heritage and functionality meant “ changing everything without changing anything .” That required a strategic restoration of the heritage details of the hall while updating it to be a state-of-the-art venue / facility , without negatively impacting the intimacy so beloved by performers and patrons . The result – in particular , the construction of the Allied Music Centre and integration of the systems in both the heritage and new parts of the complex – exponentially increases Massey ’ s flexibility and its capabilities to bring Hart
ARTIST RENDERING OF THE DEANE CAMERON RECORDING STUDIO
ARTIST RENDERING OF THE CONTENT-CAPTURE STUDIO
Massey ’ s original vision into the 21 st century . Getting there , however , involved highstress moments , not least of which was the realization that the only way to accommodate a crane that was required for construction of the seven-storey Allied Music Centre was to tear a hole in the roof above Massey ’ s main venue and drop it through the floor to the basement . But , from the outset , great care was taken to modernize the venue without impacting its atmosphere or compromising its historical aspects ; architecturally or sonically .
“ That ’ s exactly it ,” Van Dijk adds , “ it respects Massey ’ s history and architectural elements .”
Although the renovation began in 2018 , the actual project had been meticulously planned over the preceding decade with the idea of restoring the Hall ’ s interior and exterior and constructing the seven-storey addition . Those involved included Heritage Toronto , Charcoal Blue , contractors Ellis Don , and architectural firms KPMB and Goldsmith Borgal & Company Ltd ., Toronto AV consultants Engineering Harmonics , and U . K . -based acoustician Bob Essert of Sound Space Vision .
As President and CEO Jesse Kumagai put it recently : “ Three years ago today , Massey Hall was filled with artists and fans as we counted down the days before we closed for renovation . No one could have predicted the challenges we would all face in the ensuing years . There isn ’ t enough that can be said about those who have helped us reach this point . From each and every order of government to the incredible vision of Allied Properties and The Slaight Family Foundation , our supporters and all the people pouring their hearts and souls into your beloved hall are the reason today ’ s announcement is possible .”
Efforts were made to not only preserve acoustics and character , but to enhance both . In many cases , those required physical changes that add to the Hall and the Centre ’ s functionality and accessibility while catering to the logistics of hosting modern performances . For one , moving the existing mix position to house right , 60 ft . from the stage , to cut down on the length of the cable run to the stage and provide space for accessible seating .
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