The Superb Acoustics of the GUCC Sanctuary

Have you ever sung in the shower and thought, “Gee, I sound really good!” That’s due to great acoustics. Acoustics is the science concerned with sound production, control, transmission, reception, and sound effects. The word acoustics is derived from the Greek word kosmos, meaning “heard” and “replied.”

The sanctuary at GUCC has top-notch acoustics, especially for live music. I was astounded at the sound quality the first time I was in the sanctuary in February 2010. Having performed in European cathedrals in my youth, I learned and experienced what great acoustics were and their impact on the listener and performer alike. The sound is described as “dead” in performance halls with inferior acoustics and goes nowhere. There is no reverberation or “give.” 

In our case, the acoustics got a real boost in 2003-2004. According to 200 Years of Greensboro’s Church by the Lake by Nancy Hill, a bicentennial renovation included this: “The church was painted inside and out, and a wood floor installed in the sanctuary.” With the sanctuary’s existing tin ceiling and walls, the new floor that replaced the carpeting was just the right thing to create superb acoustics. The new sound has drawn many musicians to our space: Craftsbury Chamber Players, Summer Music from Greensboro, Caspian Monday Music, the Early Music Group, and two private piano studios. They all marvel at the sound quality and consider it a joy to play in our sanctuary.

If you like how you sound in the shower, join our choir!