Some opportunities can’t be passed up. Every now and then, something comes up that’s so novel, it’d simply be foolish to spurn.
Derek Klingberg, a livestock and grain producer from Peabody, Kansas, recently invited the Bethel College choir to sing in his brand new grain bin.
Farmer Derek is a character, and he loves his new grain bin. With a cup of liquid in his hands, standing atop the bin, he states, “We built a new grain bin. I invited the Bethel College choir out to sing in it because it sounds so awesome.”
Drone footage gives a better perspective of his new bin and the surrounding farmland.
In preparation for the choir, Farmer Derek even roles out the red carpet as a sign of respect. Farmlands aren’t exactly the cleanest places, so choir members don’t have to watch their feet.
The choir arrives and begins making their way across the red carpet towards the shiny new grain bin.
Farmer Derek even takes time to interview some of the choir members, asking them specifically if they’ve ever had the privilege of singing in a grain bin. Someone, surprisingly, actually says yes.
Farmer Derek’s mom even made her way out to participate in the event. Coincidentally, she is also a graduate of Bethel College.
Within a matter of moments, the choir makes their way into the grain bin and assembles into rows, ready to kick things off.
The song “Down to the River to Pray” starts off with a short trombone solo, performed by Farmer Derek, who just so happens to be a talented instrumentalist.
The maestro then raises his hands, indicating the choir’s entrance. Farmer Derek proceeds to slink back behind the choir.
The Bethel College choir’s harmonies are crisp and clear. The metallic properties of the grain bin provide an interesting acoustic setting. The singing is drowned in a thick reverb with incredibly long tails, meaning that you can hear tones seconds after their conclusion from the vocalists. The effect is somewhat chilling. An aerial view of the grain bin paints a perfect picture of the atmosphere.
The choir continues to play their uniquely-altered version of “Down to the River to Pray,” eventually holding hands towards the end of their serenade. The sound of a trumpet soon makes its way into the fold.
The choir soon comes to a peaceful conclusion, hand in hand. Ultimately, their performance is beautiful and serene. The acoustic effect of the grain bin adds some additional flavor, almost reminiscent of Gregorian chants performed in a large chamber. The footage ends with additional shots of the sun-kissed new grain bin.
Farmer Derek’s well-produced video of the Bethel College choir currently has over 1.7 million views on YouTube. According to Song Facts, “Down to the River to Pray” was re-popularized by Alison Krauss in the soundtrack for the film O Brother, Where Art Though? But the song has existed in some shape or form in American culture for at least 160 years.
Some opportunities simply cannot be turned down. Here, Farmer Derek gives each member of the Bethel College choir a pathway to musical immortality. Their performance is undeniably beautiful and simultaneously chilling within the domain of the grain bin.
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