Pease Auditorium

Building Name

Pease Auditorium

Description

Music has held an important place at Eastern Michigan for over one hundred years. In 1881, Michigan State Normal School established the Normal Conservatory of Music; the program grew rapidly and by the beginning of the twentieth century was in need of further facilities. The new auditorium was constructed in 1914. Originally, the building was named after John D. Pierce, but in 1915 was renamed Pease Auditorium after Frederic H. Pease, who served the Normal between 1858-1909 as a Professor of Music and the Director of the Normal Conservatory once it was established.

Frederick Alexander, a Professor of Music in the first decades of the twentieth century, had hoped to have an organ installed when the auditorium opened in 1915. Due to lack of funds, the school could not afford to place an organ in Pease, so, upon his death, Alexander donated $85,000, for the university to build a new organ. Erich Goldschmidt, EMU Professor of Organ (1955-1978) designed and voiced, or tuned, the Frederic Alexander Memorial Organ for its home on the stage of Pease Auditorium. It took Goldschmidt an entire year to tune the pipes properly in his workshop, located in the basement of Pease. Its first performance took place in 1960. The organ was restored between 1993 and 1999.

Pease has been renovated on several occasions, but received its most extensive remodel between 1993-94 so the building could be brought up to code, and made accessible for people with physical disabilities. Performances are still held in Pease Auditorium to this day, and comfortably seats 1,700 people.

Namesake Biography

Frederic H. Pease was born in Farmington, Ohio in 1839, to Peter P. and Ruth Crocker Pease. Pease's parents were among the founders of Oberlin College, where he received his early education. At the age of 18, Pease began accompanying Dr. E.M. Foote, who was in charge of music at Oberlin, on his travels with him throughout the country holding musical conventions. In 1859, Foote came to Ypsilanti as director of the Normal Conservatory Pease settled in Ypsilanti as a teacher of the piano. In 1863, Pease was made director of the conservatory, a position he held until his death. Prof. Pease's influence garnered the success of the conservatory and its graduates both here and abroad. He was also instrumental in bringing to Ypsilanti many artists of prominence making the city a recognized musical center. Additionally, Pease taught voice culture and singing at the Detroit Conservatory of Music for nine years; conducted the Musical department at the Bay View Assembly for three years. The Ypsilanti Musical Union was organized in 1870, with Prof. Pease as conductor. The Normal Conservancy of Music was organized in 1881. The Normal Choir, under the direction of Prof. Pease gained more than a local reputation, according to his students; Pease gave them some of the best knowledge in music. He taught "Musical Appreciation" before the term was commonly used. He was a noted composer and author, attended the Episcopal Church, was married and had six children. Professor Frederic Pease died, 22 March 1909.

Building Namesake

Frederic H. Pease, Professor of Music, 1859-1909

Year Constructed

1914

Date Dedicated

22 June 1915

Building Functions

Musical events, performances and lectures.

Pierce Auditorium, prior to dedication

Architect

Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls, Detroit, MI

Original Cost

$159,000

Architectural Style

Georigan Revival

Square Footage

26,947

Rights

This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the owner, Eastern Michigan University Archives (lib_archives@emich.edu).