PROJECTS
Going mobile Heart Church in Nottingham has expanded to new spaces in a former TV centre and called on audio specialist Wigwam to design and package a touring audio solution that can be rapidly deployed each week with technical facilities brought in for each service. The entertainment technology hardware installed within Talbot Street remains in situ as midweek services and events continue to take place at the administrative headquarters. Unable to commission a systems integrator to install a permanent audio, lighting and AV system into both studios, Heart Church called on UK audio installation expert Wigwam for assistance. Now part of Solotech, Manchester-based Wigwam is renowned for live touring, diversifying into an installation/integration business in 1990. It has rapidly gained a reputation amongst the HOW community in the UK. “Our growing customer base for audio installations extends from charismatic churches to major
AS CHURCHES HAVE WELCOMED increasing numbers of worshippers over the years, growing pains inevitably lead to expansion or relocation. Instead of conforming to the norm, a UK church decided to adopt a more flexible setup for its future needs. Rather than investing in a property with a larger footprint and growing its roots into a specific postal code, Heart Church has taken the unusual step to go mobile. Just as SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) represents recognised cost savings over traditional infrastructure, a portable audio package promotes modular and future-proofing benefits. Welcoming a multicultural crosssection of congregants, Heart Church in Nottingham hosted two Sunday and smaller midweek services from a large modern building in Talbot Street until earlier this year. Incorporating a highly charismatic service with an ensemble of talented musicians who perform their own compositions, Heart Worship’s Pentecostal style is further boosted by a large LED screen and fully loaded lighting trusses above the stage. The
DiGiCo’s SD10
The wireless Sennheiser system
big productions needed a bigger room, however, leading the church committee to opt for a more flexible setup. Located within two miles of Talbot Street, on the same north bank of the River Trent, their search led to King’s Meadow Campus within the University of Nottingham. The complex, which previously served as an ITV studio for local Carlton TV until 2005, was available on a rental basis. The flat floor and acoustically treated properties of Studios 7 and 11 presented the church leaders with a blank canvas of possibilities. Both the respective 729m2 and 180m2 spaces could be transformed around the evolving nature of their services ranging from the purely functional to something exceptional,
cathedrals,” explains Wigwam sales manager, Phil Goldsworthy. “Wigwam’s stock in trade is now sensitive installs.” Initially surprised by Heart’s enquiry, Goldsworthy quickly appreciated why Wigwam had been requested to assist in their transition into the studio spaces. “They wanted to enhance the production values of their Sunday morning services for which the studios are ideal now. Should the number of worshippers increase, they’ve decided to keep it flexible by renting somewhere bigger, at which time they can add more equipment to their inventory. Heart has already outgrown the existing building but they don’t want to invest in another should they continue to expand.”
20 WORSHIP AVL January–February 2021
WAVL Pg20-21 Heart Church.indd 20
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