The Elliott N. Duchon Concert Hall at Rubidoux High School in Jurupa Valley stands as a transformative example of community-driven design. What began as a standard need for a performing arts venue evolved into a space shaped by active collaboration with local stakeholders, students, and faculty. The project emerged as a beacon of cultural pride and artistic expression, reflecting both the aspirations and the unique character of the Rubidoux community. This facility is a testament to the power of community engagement and visionary leadership.
A Unique Path to Community Engagement
This project took an unconventional approach to community engagement. Rather than gathering community input early in the process, the planning team, led by Jurupa Unified School District (JUSD) and Architecture for Education (A4E), engaged the community at key milestones throughout the entire process. In 2005, during the Master Planning effort led by A4E, JUSD identified the need for a performing arts center. In 2015, when the project was ready to begin design, the prospect of engaging the local community in a visioning process on an unfamiliar building type provided an initial hurdle in our typical stakeholder engagement process.
The concert hall is a testament to the power of community engagement and visionary leadership.
As the team gathered more data from various stakeholders and analyzed the music curriculum and facilities across the District, it became apparent that the District’s nationally recognized music program at Rubidoux High School should take center stage by providing a dedicated concert and music facility. Rubidoux’s celebrated choir, band, and orchestra programs required a specialized venue that could fully support their needs. The project’s direction was therefore reevaluated and the District and design team shifted their focus. Unfamiliar with the potential benefits of a dedicated, professional-grade concert hall, initially, the community did not recognize the value such a space could provide. How do you engage a community that doesn’t yet know what they’re missing?
The visionary leadership of former Superintendent Elliott Duchon, along with passionate district officials and stakeholders, was critical in moving the project forward. The community needed time to understand the value of such a dedicated facility, and it was through continuous engagement and outreach that support began to grow.
Designing for Community and Culture
Once the community understood the potential impact of the facility, their input became essential in refining the design. The design team worked closely with music educators, students, and local residents to ensure the Concert Hall would serve not only as an artistic hub, but as a space that honored the cultural identity of the Rubidoux community. Through these conversations, the design evolved to reflect the values of the school’s traditions and pride, as well as the ideal layout.
Mr. Duchon played a vital role — he pulled in the right stakeholders at the right time, knowing who was poised to give the appropriate level of knowledge/ input. He was able to garner diverse perspectives and opinions in a collaborative way to keep us moving forward with the design efficiently and timely, while also giving critical technical input — all culminating in an extremely smooth design process.
One of the standout design elements that reflects the schools’ music community’s spirit is the custom graphic in the lobby, which features the musical notes of Rubidoux High’s Alma Mater. This design element was directly inspired by student input, and it serves as a permanent tribute to the school’s rich musical traditions — and only it’s Alumni can identify the designs hidden meaning!
The design concept for the Elliott N. Duchon Concert Hall is rooted in the idea of “Space Through Rhythm,” where architectural elements are orchestrated to reflect the dynamic flow of music. The building’s exterior and interior embrace three levels of porosity — each symbolizing the varying degrees of openness and connection to the surrounding community. The most porous element, the lobby, invites light and activity, serving as the heart of community and connection. The flex classroom offers a balance of privacy and transparency, providing glimpses of artistic energy as students practice behind the translucent glazing. The least porous performance hall, with its rhythmic slits of light created to emulate notes on a musical staff, creates an intimate and focused space for the art of music, linking the inside experience to the world outside.
“From the layout to the finishes, every detail contributes to fostering a space that feels both welcoming and representative of our students’ ambitions,” says Robin Griffin, Director of Planning and Development at JUSD.
Overcoming Challenges to Create a Community Beacon
The road to realizing the Elliott N. Duchon Concert Hall was not without its challenges. From securing funding to navigating city planning processes, the project required creativity and perseverance. The most significant hurdle, however, was overcoming the initial reluctance from the community. The idea of spending $13 million on a specialized concert hall seemed unnecessary to many at first, especially given the district’s status as an underserved community. However, through Superintendent Duchon’s passion and continued engagement with the community, people began to feel the excitement at the benefits of such a facility — from music education’s impact on academics to providing students significant advancement with a high school experience equal to that of a college -quality space.
Despite these challenges, the completed concert hall stands as a vibrant and valuable resource for students, faculty, and the community. It provides a professional-grade performance space where both students and local artists can perform, create, and connect. Prior to this new venue, Jurupa Valley’s community would have needed to drive over two hours to see a professional performance — if that was even feasible with a community surrounded by economic hardship. Now families can come together to see performers such as the Riverside Philharmonic in addition to seeing their children, siblings, and neighbors shine. Not only does this strengthen the community, it builds up our students with a sense that they too can dream big.
The Concert Hall: A Symbol of Connection
The Elliott N. Duchon Concert Hall is not just a space for performances; it is a symbol of connection within the Rubidoux High School community and beyond. Its design promotes openness and inclusivity, with large glass windows that connect the lobby to the campus and the surrounding community. These visual cues reinforce the hall’s role as a dynamic cultural space that invites participation, interaction, and engagement.
Designed with flexibility in mind, the concert hall accommodates a wide range of performances, from choir and orchestra to small ensemble work. It is equipped with advanced acoustics and technology to ensure optimal sound quality for every performance, meeting the needs of Rubidoux’s award-winning music programs.
The hall’s design also focused on creating a practical, functional space. It includes features like adaptable stage configurations, multiple performance areas, and acoustically-tailored spaces that support Rubidoux’s distinct music programs.
A Legacy of Engagement and Empowerment
The Elliott N. Duchon Concert Hall is more than just a physical space; it is the culmination of a community’s collective effort. It serves as a powerful reminder that when communities are engaged, the outcomes are spaces that resonate deeply with their values, needs, and aspirations. The concert hall reflects the vision of a community that, when given the opportunity, can shape an environment that empowers and inspires.
Today, the Concert Hall stands as a testament to what can be achieved when visionary leadership, student-centered design, and community collaboration are brought together in pursuit of a common goal. It provides an educational and cultural landmark that fosters creativity, connection, and pride.
“This concert hall is more than a building. It is a legacy,” says a Rubidoux High School student. “It represents what we can achieve when we come together, work hard, and dream big.”