What Happens in Symphony Hall at Night

Samuel Parigela

Symphony Hall is widely known as one of the most iconic buildings on campus. And one of the most important too—numerous conservatory classes find their home in the innocent-looking, cream-colored building. But do not be fooled; that is just what you see when the sun is up. At night, it is a completely different place.

Symphony Hall is mostly known for its role as a place for performance and practice. But not many students know that it also provides lodging; secret cameras planted by the Journalism class in the backstage area have revealed that OCSA Administrators use the cello lockers as vertical beds–similar to how astronauts might sleep upright in space. Evolution has tried to reach Mr. Ciecek for comment as a participant. We have yet to receive a response. 

But what is most notable about this building is the paranormal activity that takes place within its walls. It must be established that Symphony Hall is haunted. Given that the current OCSA landmark is also an abandoned church that was built more than a century ago, that is the only logical conclusion that can be drawn. This activity is not exclusive to the night—daytime occurrences have been reported as well, although most students take little notice. Indeed, multiple sources have shared spine-tingling accounts of their bizarre experiences. One anonymous student recounted their experience standing in the Symphony Hall lobby during Office Hours one day. “I heard voices and footsteps coming from under me–this can only reasonably be explained by a ghost,” they said, adding that the ominous noises likely wouldn’t be of concern if Symphony Hall had an underground storage room or basement of some sort. 

However, paranormal activity in Symphony Hall is certainly more pronounced after dark. As a paranormal investigator for Evolution (professionally trained in the field by watching Ghost Adventures), I have been witness to mysterious phenomena, such as hearing unexplained creaks in the wooden floor when no one else was present in the building with me—a textbook example of a poltergeist. I have lost count of the number of times I have felt a rush of cold air at night; strangely enough, this only occurs when the door is open, which leads me to believe that the phantoms of Symphony Hall prefer entering via open doors. This is only speculation, however, as their behavioral patterns are not yet fully understood.