Pease Auditorium · Eastern Michigan University Campus Building

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. President Lewis H. Jones had hoped to build an auditorium during his time as President, 1903-1911. Only Sherzer Hall was completed during his tenure, however. It fell to his successor as president, Charles McKenny (1912-1933) to fund an auditorium. The new auditorium was constructed in 1914 for $159,000. When opened, the building was considered to have excellent acoustical properties. The grand Georgian facade and classical details of the interior made the auditorium a grand space for all types of musical productions. Nevertheless, in the mind of Frederick Alexander, one thing was missing. 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 an organ, much less a new conservatory was out of the question. Determined to remedy the lack of an organ, Alexander donated, upon his death $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, and now sings with its original voice.

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

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