Ah, how we get sucked in by black holes. Earlier this year, the staff sat down to contemplate the momentous occasion of the first image captured of a black hole. Who on campus could be an expert in the area? We needed to know more, and we wanted to share the story with our readers in the summer 2019 issue.
Turns out, many disciplines had words to share. This included music. Julia Randel, chair of the University of Dayton Department of Music, called our attention to the fact that in 2003 sound from the black hole was recorded. She, a tuba player, observed that the low B flat emitted was like “a giant tuba at the end of the universe.” She also told us that when she started writing her observations on the black hole, words came to her framed by the melody of the UD anthem.
We asked her for the lyrics, and we were immediately ensnared. We had to hear it performed live.
Thanks to Randel and two of her colleagues, we can. Listen to Andrea Chenoweth Wells, artist in residence, sing Randel’s “Song of the Black Hole,” accompanied by fellow faculty member Jimmy Leach, piano, and Randel, tuba.
Not familiar with the UD anthem? Let the Pride of Dayton Marching Band help you with that. Listen to it below.
And if you need even more of black holes and tubas, please check out the last video. We love that low pedal tone. Thanks, Professor Randal.