Temple of Silence

A work for solo flute & pre-recorded audio.

Temple of Silence is based on the legends surrounding the Manitou Grand Caverns at the Cave of the Winds in Manitou Springs. My own experiences of venturing into this cave left such a deep impression on my mind that I felt compelled to write this work. If you are not familiar with this cave there are many stories, rumors, and spooky findings associated with it. The cave itself is composed mainly of Manitou Limestone and sits deep within the mountain range, completely blocking out electrical or otherwise radio signals. There are also significant connections to the native peoples of the land with this cave. There is a legend that the Apache tribe migrated through the area, and there is a story that they encountered a cave that they claimed housed the Great Spirit of the Wind. This spirit was known to cause whirlwinds, sand devils, tornadoes and other wind based phenomena. The Ute tribe also had a legend that a Chief and his daughter hid in the archway entrance to the cavern to hide from attacking white men. They were later discovered by the daughter’s lover, they had both died of starvation. The history of the cave that this work is most focused on is post 1881, as much of the associated paranormal activity with the cave has to do with the activities of George and Nellie Schnieder.