Introducing The Ode

We are pleased to unveil our major new music centre designed to put music and the creative arts at the heart of school and community life.

The Ode brings together more than 1,700m² of new and refurbished space, including a multi-use performance hall, large rehearsal space, atrium, performance room, recording studio and specialist rock room.

The large-scale development has been designed as a long-term investment in the creative arts, in music, performance and cultural education, alongside enabling community performances, partnerships and events. Truro School already works with a range of local organisations, including Cornwall Music Service Trust and Roseland Music Society, and has strong links with Truro Cathedral and its chorister programme.

The new facility incorporates retractable seating, high-quality acoustic treatment, specialist data provision and carefully designed technical facilities, creating a flexible environment for teaching, rehearsals, ensembles, recording and large-scale performances.

The project presented a particularly unusual challenge for the design and construction teams: creating a high-volume music facility immediately alongside spaces used for statutory examinations, where silence is essential. Significant attention was therefore given to acoustic separation and the coordination of the building’s structure and materials.

At a time when opportunities for music and creative education are an important part of the wider conversation around young people’s education and emotional wellbeing, The Ode provides an example of how specialist facilities can support both school and community life.

The building will be formally opened on Friday 9 October at an event for the Truro School and wider community.

Truro School Head, Mr Andy Johnson, said:  “I am delighted to share that the name of this new facility is The Ode. There are many musical and creative associations, including the opening lines of Arthur O’Shaughnessy’s famous poem: ‘We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.’

“The Ode is the most significant Senior site development since the Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre (SBA). It was a dream for many staff, pupils and parents before the sports centre and is now a place that will inspire the cultural and creative arts for School and community for the future, just as the sports centre does for sport.

The building was delivered by Classic Builders, who were appointed to undertake the construction phase of the project. The project team included Contracts Manager Neil Baker, Project Manager James Thomas and Commercial Manager Steve Joy.

For Project Manager James Thomas, the project was particularly rewarding because of its potential impact beyond the school.

“The project had some very unique detailing, including the arched windows to the Atrium and Large Rehearsal Space. What made the project special for me was that it not only improves the school facility, but will improve the availability of music and performance facilities for the wider community.

“I also felt that the approach from the School enabled us to integrate into the school environment and develop good relationships.”

The project presented considerable logistical and technical challenges, with construction taking place at the heart of a busy, live school site. Access was restricted by a narrow lane, deliveries had to be carefully coordinated around school drop-off and pick-up times, and there was limited space available for storing materials.

The removal of the original hall roof and integration of the balcony works were particularly challenging phases of the build, while the design also incorporated a number of highly detailed elements, including brick arches, specialist Atrium and Large Rehearsal Space cladding, retractable seating and specialist acoustic and technical provision.

The building also presented a unique acoustic challenge. The new music facility sits alongside spaces used for statutory examinations, where silence is essential.

Ralph Gifford MRICS, Associate Partner (Project Management) at Ward Williams Associates, who led the project management team, said:  “The brief to put the loudest school department next to the location where statutory exams are undertaken in silence should not be underestimated. This posed the design and construction teams with a significant challenge in ensuring coordination of details to mitigate noise transfer and fulfil the brief.

“The building represents a significant improvement in the school’s music facility and will allow the school and wider community to benefit from a first-class building.”
Ward Williams Associates provided Project Management and Cost Consultancy services throughout the project, from RIBA stages 1 to 6.

The project also represents an important step forward in sustainable construction, being one of the first major developments in Cornwall to fall under the Council’s requirement to achieve BREEAM Excellent. The building combines different structural approaches, with a steel-frame Atrium and reinforced-concrete main building, with design decisions carefully considered to meet the demanding acoustic requirements of the project.

Even the groundworks produced an unexpected discovery, when a car engine was uncovered during excavation for the foundations.

Lewis Tolputt, Business Development Manager at Classic Builders, said:  “We were delighted to be awarded the contract for delivering such a prestigious and important local project.
“Having the opportunity to help create this purpose-built learning space is an absolute privilege.

“We’d like to thank the staff at Truro School, as well as those involved with the scheme – especially our site team and our incredible supply chain members”..

As the school looks to the future, The Ode will also provide a valuable resource for the wider Cornish community, creating opportunities for performances, partnerships and shared musical experiences.

The Ode would not have been possible without the generosity and support of the many people who have helped bring the vision to life. We are hugely grateful to everyone who has played a part in creating this special new space for our pupils, students and the wider community.

The space is available to hire for community and business events outside of school hours, please see our venues page for more infomation.