This planning guide focuses on the fundamental requirements for planning and designing school music suites. The guide provides brief explanations of critical factors affecting music suites so that music directors and other stakeholders can more quickly and clearly communicate music area fundamentals to architects and administrators. Topics cover the music suite layout, construction process, acoustics, floor planning, types of storage areas, and music equipment. Also included are tips for planning highly functional and successful performance areas. Concluding sections provide a terms glossary, several project worksheets, and a rule-of-thumb chart for determining music suite square footage needs. (GR)