“Ian Roach Hall is the best kept secret in Australia.”

Roland Peelman, Artistic Director, The Song Company

The James Forbes Academy is the home for the schools of music and drama at Scotch College.  The 500 seat auditorium, Ian Roach Hall, is used by pupils and visiting guest musicians, and hosts symphony orchestras and intimate chamber orchestras.

The music auditorium features outstanding acoustics designed by Arup Engineers. Listening during rehearsals and performances reveals an extremely well balanced sound, with warm reverberance across all frequencies and a particularly rich bass. A fullness of tone allows the strings to sing and the woodwind to float over the strings.  The sound is clear yet enveloping. The balance between orchestra and soloist is perfect, allowing the youngest of soloists to play with confidence.