Pease Auditorium is a music venue on the campus of Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan University is a comprehensive, co-educational public university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Ypsilanti is west of Detroit and eight miles east of Ann Arbor. The university was founded in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School...

 in Ypsilanti, Michigan

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Ypsilanti is a city in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,362. The city is bounded to the north by the Charter Township of Superior and on the west, south, and east by the Charter Township of Ypsilanti...

. Built in 1914, Pease auditorium is the 4th oldest standing building on Eastern Michigan University's campus. The auditorium was constructed in 1914 for $243,963. For the time, that was a considerable amount of money. Today Pease is home to the university's music performances and as well as some performing arts productions. With a seating capacity of 1,700, Pease is a prime spot for many events held by the community.

History of Pease Auditorium

Originally named Pierce auditorium, the name was changed a year later to the Frederic H. Pease Auditorium. Frederic H. Pease was the professor of music from 1858–1909 and Head of Conservatory at Michigan State Normal School (former name for Eastern Michigan University). He was described as being, "very eager to help students develop their full potential for music". When Pease opened for the fall semester of 1914, it was considered to be one of the most modern and prestigious auditoriums of its time. The grand neoclassical façade and classical details of the interior made the acoustics top of the line, and attracted many performers from across the country. Later in 1957, there was a large organ installed on the back of the stage. Then in 1959 new seats and a new stage floor was added. In 1993-1994 president William E. Shelton spent 2.2 million dollars on renovations to electrical, plumbing and structural upgrades, as well as adding new seats and putting in a lighting system for performing arts performances. Then a celebrity "green room" was added in the back of the auditorium to accommodate the many celebrities that perform there.

History of the music department at Eastern Michigan University

Teaching of music began at Michigan State Normal School in the second year of operation. In 1881, the State Board of Education authorized the creation of a Conservatory of Music, located on a site where Boone Hall now stands (across from the water tower, on cross st.). Because of this new modern building, the music program began to grow and thrive at Michigan State Normal School. When more music students came to learn and perform at MSNC, the administration decided that the conservatory of music was not sufficient anymore for the current demand the college was drawing for music. The board of regents hired Smith, Hinchman, & Grylls, Detroit to construct the building. After taking about three years to complete, Pease auditorium would now house musical events of all kinds. The music program continued to grow. The music program today has about 1,100 students at Eastern Michigan University and has classes in Alexander hall as well as Pease auditorium.

People who contributed to the building and upgrades of Pease

Charles McKenny- President of Michigan State Normal School during the building of Pease auditorium. Raised funds and oversaw the successful building of Pease Auditorium.

John D. Pierce- Head of the music department from 1859 to 1909. Pease Auditorium was originally named Pierce auditorium before betting dedicated in 1915.

Frederic H. Pease- Professor of music form 1858 to 1909. He was a favorite among his students and the auditorium was dedicated in his name on October 11, 1915.

Frederick Alexander-A music professor in the early 1900s at Michigan State Normal school. Early in the construction of the auditorium he had visions of a organ being installed on the back part of the stage. Because of funding issues the organ was never installed in the original construction of the auditorium. In his will Alexander left 80,000 dollars to the university to build the organ. Then on 1957 the organ was finally installed at a cost of 91,000 making it the most expensive organ in Michigan at the time.

Erich Goldschmidt- Professor of organ from 1955-1978 at Eastern Michigan University. Goldschmidt designed and tuned the massive organ installed in 1957.

William E. Shelton- President during the massive renovations that lasted from 1993 until late 1994.