Eight brass bands will put the Regent Theatre's newly installed sound shell to the test this weekend when they compete in the 2016 Otago Southland Festival of Brass.
Regent Theatre staff installed several translucent PVC sails in the fly tower and the wings, to reflect sound in the best direction - mainly, towards the audience.
Theatre technical manager Nelson Miles said musicians could now be assured their music would resonate around the Regent Theatre auditorium and stage just as it should.
‘‘It means the band members can hear each other, rather than the sound disappearing into the fly tower.
‘‘It also means that the audience will hear exactly what the bands are playing.''
Mr Nelson said theatre sound shells used to be made of wood and cost more than $200,000, but technology had advanced considerably, meaning the Regent could install a sound shell made of heavy-duty polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which cost about $50,000.
The sound shell was custom-made for the Regent's stage and could be packed down into bags for easy storage, he said.
About a third of the cost was raised through funding applications and the balance would be covered by income from this year's Anything But Books and 24-Hour Book Sales.
Regent Theatre director Sarah Anderson said the theatre was continually improving infrastructure, making it an increasingly attractive venue for a diverse range of performers.
The Festival of Brass is a provincial contest, run by the Otago Southland Brass Band Association, and has drawn brass musicians from across Southland, Otago and Canterbury and as far away as Auckland.
Festival committee member and Kaikorai Metropolitan Brass member Kendall Gadomski said the competing bands were excited about the chance to test the new sound shell.
The event begins on Saturday morning. About 60 musicians will compete in solo and party events at the Regent Theatre, St Paul's Cathedral and the Age Concern Octagon Club.
Full band events will be held at the Regent Theatre on Saturday between 6pm and 10pm, and an entertainment contest will be held on Sunday between 12.30pm and 5pm.
