Minot State University
11/05/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 11/05/2024 15:56
Minot State Concert Choir to utilize ‘gargantuan cathedral of concrete’
By Michael Linnell
University Communications Director
MINOT, N.D. - Minot State University's Concert Choir is accustomed to singing in venues with superior acoustics on international tours.
When looking for something similar in Minot, Emerson Eads, professor of music and the director of choral activities, was surprised to find something right on campus - the rarely used emergency stairwell at the Minot State Dome.
"I was introduced to the emergency stairwell by Minot State alumnus John Spitzer 93,' and what I discovered was nothing short of extraordinary - a gargantuan cathedral of concrete," Eads said. "Ascending the three flights of stairs to the east and another three to the west creates an awe-inspiring acoustic experience, where sound lingers for an impressive eight to nine seconds before fading away. This reverberation is reminiscent of the great medieval cathedrals, which typically have reverberation times ranging from eight to 11 seconds. For example, St. Paul's Cathedral in London boasts an 11-second echo when empty and about eight seconds when filled with people."
After learning of the space, Eads set out to find the perfect concert to utilize the venue, featuring fewer voices than the traditional full choir.
"The acoustic quality is particularly significant for singing the music of antiquity, as it allows for more expressive performances with fewer voices, highlighting the importance of articulation," he added. "It also gives you an idea for how awe-inspiring just a simple line of chant can be. When you sing a single line of chant, you experience singing in counterpoint with the reverberations that you just sang - polyphony is created by singing monophony in this space."
"In the Darkness of Night: A Concert of Polyphonic Masterpieces for Four Voices" on Nov. 8 will feature four Minot State singers: Christina Larsen, soprano; Kaitlyn Pellenwessel, alto; Tyler Irmen, tenor; and Evan Putt, bass. The free concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be a fundraiser for the group's Spring 2025 trip to Norway.
"For students, this presents a remarkable opportunity," Eads said. "We rarely encounter such acoustics unless we embark on international tours - like the upcoming trip to Norway in the Spring of 2025, for which this concert serves as a fundraiser. The fact that this concrete cathedral exists right here at Minot State is extraordinary."
Pellenwessel, a sophomore from Minot studying music education, likens the space to cathedrals and basilicas she had the opportunity to sing in this past summer.
"I specifically remember the Wilton Basilica in Innsbruck, Austria," she said. "The wetness of sound was a powerful and chilling experience that I thought I would have to leave abroad. This experience remained a memory until I was introduced to the Dome's stairwell through MSU singers this semester. It is so comforting to get to sing in an authentic surround sound experience, and we are so blessed to have a place like that on campus."
Irmen, a senior music education major from Velva, was uncertain if this was the best place for a concert but came around after the first rehearsal.
"When I first heard that our venue wouldn't be in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall, I was skeptical," he said. "However, I was interested in doing something unusual, so I went for it. We held a rehearsal in the stairwell, and I was absolutely blown away by the acoustics. The ring that the stairwell gives allows the music to become much more impactful and powerful.
"My reaction was just in awe as it brought our music more to life, and it made it difficult not to be brought to tears while listening. The music we share with the audience will be something for all to enjoy, and I'm sure some may leave differently than when they came!"
While Eads is excited about the event, he is grateful for the partnership with MSU Athletics to utilize the venue.
"I'm grateful for Kevin (Harmon, vice president of student affairs and intercollegiate activities) and Janna (associate director of athletics for external operations) for allowing us the opportunity to sing in this space," he said. "I hope that alumni and patrons of the University will support the vision of transforming this space into a small concert hall for chamber choirs. It truly is an ideal setting for music."
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
Published: 11/05/24