MCALLEN, TX – The Family Church (TFC) of McAllen, TX, chose a Robe lighting system for its new 1,400-capacity main worship auditorium. The stage systems for the new auditorium were designed for concerts and broadcasts in addition to the five weekly services. Currently TFC has a web-based ministry, but plans include going to a multisite format, so good broadcast lighting was vital to the final technical plans.
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MCALLEN, TX – The Family Church (TFC) of McAllen, TX chose a Robe lighting system for its new 1,400-capacity main worship auditorium.
The Robe fixtures were specified by TFC’s Technical Director Obed Castillo and supplied by Phil Rapp of Gear Systems Design from Edmond, OK, who partnered with TFC to supply and install the full technical production package for the new space.
The new larger sanctuary was the result of a much needed expansion to the existing premises to accommodate the popular and well-attended worship services.
The stage systems for the new auditorium were designed for concerts and broadcasts in addition to the five weekly services. Currently TFC has a web-based ministry, but plans include going to a multisite format, so good broadcast lighting was vital to the final technical plans.
Gear Systems specified four Robin 600 LEDWashes, eight Robin 300 LEDWashes, four Robin 300E Spots, eight ColorSpot 250E ATs and 10 LEDForce 18s plus a Robe Faze 1050FT hazer.
Most of the lights are installed on trussing above and around the stage, and some are floor mounted on the stage. With the flexible design of the rig, any light can be moved to any position allowing almost endless possibilities for looks and effects.
With limited available power, it was important to choose fixtures with low power consumption, hence the selection of the LED fixtures and Robe’s small 250 series moving lights.
Practical ongoing operational costs were another consideration, coupled with the fact that McAllen’s location on the southern tip of Texas in the Rio Grande Valley means that high temperatures are a factor, so fixtures outputting little heat will help with the utility bills.
“The lighting is crucial to every aspect in the auditorium and all its uses,” explains Rapp. “The variety of the Robe fixtures has given the flexibility needed to accommodate the contemporary style of worship together with any broadcast lighting requirements. Reliability is crucial for a system of this size that is in such regular use, so given their track record Robe was an obvious choice.”
The bright and bold colors from the LEDWashes enable the lighting and set designers to paint with color in various directions from the front truss.
The strength of the ROBIN 300E Spots allow for crisp patterns and beams that help define images on video. These fixtures can ‘reach out’ around the entire room and envelop the audience, drawing them into the worship sessions.
The LEDWash 300s and ColorSpot 250E ATs add lighting energy to the stage.
The LEDForce 18s can be used as a multipurpose fixture to color anything on the set or add more static beams when used with the optional 10 degree lenses. The TFC creative team designed the elaborate scenic elements and props.
Above all, the rig was designed for complete versatility. The lighting is primarily operated by TFC’s volunteer technical team using a Jands Vista S3 console.
