Impact of diverse genres of sacred music on the Revitalising Soundscape of Mission Concepcion Church in San Antonio, Texas

This soundscape study (based on ISO 12913-1/2/3) uses rendition of sacred music by clarinet, violin, saxophone, human voice, and ensemble testing different locations in the church to comparatively analyze binaural perceptions of loudness, sharpness, and tonality (using Artemis SUITE version 16.5 and HEADspace-5600); subjective acoustical perceptions of loudness, clarity, tonal balance, and intimacy; and auditory metaphysical perceptions of heightened awareness and stillness (using ORIGIN 6.1 and EXCEL). Among significant results (p<0.05): loudness (N5) had higher values for ensemble rendition at Nave and Choir-loft and for saxophone rendition at President’s window; Tonality was highest for saxophone rendition and Sharpness was highest for solo-voice rendition at all locations. Saxophone was perceived to be “loudest,” “clearest,” “most tonal,” “most intimate,” and evoked better “heightened awareness” and “stillness” at President’s Window; “Solo-voice” was “clearest,” “most tonal,” and “most intimate” at Choir-loft. Solo-voice rendition evoked “stillness” at Nave at p = 0.07. This study is part of efforts to explore the functional diversity of the revitalising soundscape that initiates a tourist to experience the “Sacred” in this world heritage worship space.