The Weird World of Grain Silo Music

Powder & Bulk Solids examines how YouTubers, musicians and choirs have found a unique application for silos.

John S. Forrester, former Managing Editor

August 10, 2021

2 Min Read
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Representative imageImage courtesy of Pixabay

Storage silos and grain bins are a familiar sight to those working in the powder and bulk solids industry. Now internet personalities, choirs, musicians, and others are finding a new application for the structures: Silo singing.

A search on YouTube reveals that videos of people singing in silos have become increasingly popular over the last several years. Some of the most viewed recordings are of religious songs, perhaps due to the cathedral-like acoustics that the design of silos can provide. A few farmers and companies have brought in groups to sing in newly constructed containers or to mark the opening of new facilities.

It is a delight to see the public using these spaces in such a unique way. Here are some of the best examples that Powder & Bulk Solids editors found:

A Choir Christens a New Bin

YouTube celebrity Farmer Darek invited the Bethel College Choir to perform in his new grain bin at the Klingenberg Family farm and ranch in Kansas in 2018. The farmer’s video of the group singing “Down to the River to Pray” has over 2.3 million views on YouTube.

Mom’s Music

Here is Silo Singing Mom testing out here vocal chops in an empty bin. Her rendition of “How Great Thou Art” recorded in a large metal silo has generated more than 86,000 views since it was posted to YouTube in late 2018.

From Grain to Games

A 2018 clip of Australian YouTuber JonnyBoy singing the theme song to the video game Halo in an 800 tn silo has been viewed an astounding 11.7 million times since it first appeared on the video sharing website.

A Star-Spangled Debut

Agricultural cooperative Gateway FS posted this video of the Nashville Community High School Choir singing America’s national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” at its new Oakville Grain Bin in 2019. The silo opened with a capacity of 737,000 bu.

An Impressive Sound

While using silos this way might seem a bit wacky, one can’t deny that the sound these groups produce in the containers is pretty remarkable. To learn about more new and interesting developments in the powder and bulk solids industry, take a look at our Industry Trends section.

About the Author

John S. Forrester

former Managing Editor, Powder & Bulk Solids

John S. Forrester is the former managing editor of Powder & Bulk Solids.

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