feature But the fun will get started with The Argyros’ grand opening on November 23, with a special gala for “Founding Donors” who have donated at least $10,000 to the roughly $12.5 million facility, which has been funded entirely by private donations, says Hamamoto. A major artist will perform for the gala. “Over that Saturday and Sunday, we’re having a community openhouse affair that will feature people who have been part of the Wood River Valley’s arts community,” says Hamamoto. “We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to come explore the venue and get a taste of what The Argyros is all about.” Part of what the center will be about entails giving performers and other event hosts impeccable control over the sound in the space. Controlling the sound around you— how loud other people seem in the same room, altering one room’s sound to emulate that of a completely different type of structure—might seem like the kind of superpower an obscure comic book hero might possess. But modern technology has made just such a thing possible, down
to precise details that may be a little hard to believe until you experience them. The center will feature the cuttingedge Meyer Constellation Acoustic System, which, according to Meyer Sound’s website, is “a digital approach to controlling reverberation time, early reflections, and other key ingredients vital to the sonic clarity, warmth, and resonance of a space.” Hamamoto says that The Argyros’ sound system is only one of a handful of such installed in venues across the U.S., most of them in major metropolitan cities. “It’s incredible,” Hamamoto says. “It will be able to control the acoustics in the theater to replicate the sort of sounds you’d hear in different venues. For example, if you’re performing a symphony and want to make it sound like it’s in a cathedral, the Meyer system can create that.”
Donation opportunities are still available at The Argyros for Founders, Leaders, Benefactors, Patrons, and Supporters. All Founding donors will be recognized on a prominent “star wall” in the main lobby and receive priority invitations to the opening gala events. Numerous naming opportunities also exist for Founding donors. Those interested in becoming a Founding donor are invited to arrange an exclusive tour of The Argyros to learn more. To contribute to The Argyros Performing Arts Center capital campaign, or to arrange a tour, contact Margaret Hamamoto, Campaign Director, at 208.726.7872. The Argyros Performing Arts Center 120 Main Street South | Ketchum 208 726 7872 TheArgyros.org
Hamamoto explains that The Argyros will be able to use the system to shape the sound for every single performance, from rock concerts and classical chamber music to lectures and plays.
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