Announcement: New Seminary Organ
  • Earl_GreyEarl_Grey
    Posts: 904
    https://www.facebook.com/events/852738711511383/

    If you are in the Saint Louis area, come check out our new pipe organ. Dedication concert featuring Dr. Horst Buchholz will be on November 12.

    Perhaps I can arrange a special tour for those interested this summer during the Colloquium.
    Thanked by 2Kathy CHGiffen
  • Earl_GreyEarl_Grey
    Posts: 904
    image
    Thanked by 4M. Jackson Osborn ryand CHGiffen eft94530
  • canadashcanadash
    Posts: 1,501
    Gorgeous!!!! I'm heartened that Catholic churches are continuing to install such magnificent instruments!
    Thanked by 1eft94530
  • M. Jackson Osborn
    Posts: 8,413
    Can you supply the builder? The specifications?

    It's quite heartening to see such a chapel, maintained with such artistic integrity, and containing what appears to be an enviable instrument. It also bodes well for the Church that it happens to be a seminary chapel. Bravo to all concerned and responsible!
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,192
    Gleaned from the online announcement: It was built by A.E. Schlueter Pipe Organ Company in Georgia, 39 ranks and 2,156 pipes along with four divisions: Great, Swell, Choir, and Pedal.
  • Earl_GreyEarl_Grey
    Posts: 904
    That is correct. I was going to wait until I had all the specifics were posted on either the seminary or builder's website, but since we are getting close to the concert date, I thought it was best to make the announcement.

    The organ is to be featured in the December Issue of the American Organist.

    The chapel was recently rennovated: http://kenrick.edu/chapel-renovations/

    The chapel alone would be worth a visit. If you go to the seminary's home page, you can download a copy of the Herald, which has more photos and a brief article I wrote about the organ.
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,978
    Beautiful.
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,192
    Could the new organ be part of an "organ crawl" event at the Colloquium?
  • ghmus7
    Posts: 1,483
    Magnificent.
    This is the third pipe organ as far as I know, to be placed in Catholic seminaries in the last two years, including our Ross King at Holy Trinity.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • BruceL
    Posts: 1,072
    Earl, a question: is the console downstairs? Looks great. I just wondered about layout since the organ is, what, twice as large as the old one by ranks? Looks like you might be able to fit the schola under the cantilevered parts of the case. Very beautiful, and such an incredible transformation. You should post "before" pictures of the sanctuary, etc. It doesn't even look like the same room! Congrats!
  • Earl_GreyEarl_Grey
    Posts: 904
    No, the console is in the gallery as well. However, when they took the photos for AO it had not yet been hoisted, so the console photos are on the main floor staged in front of the altar--partly to show more images of the chapel.

    In terms of floor space, it is limited, but the footprint of the new organ is identical to the old organ. The old organ was all on one level, but the new is stacked vertically, essentially doubling its size.

    I typically have around 16 singers. There will be enough standing room between the console and the back wall and between the two towers. If the choir grows they could stand under the cantilevered section as well, though that won't be ideal for the choral ensemble.

    I'll try to post some more photos later. Too busy right now. I'm happy to show it off this summer, we'll just need to work out transportation from the colloquium.
    Thanked by 2BruceL CHGiffen
  • BruceL
    Posts: 1,072
    This is awesome! I'll be there, God willing, a few days early (and hanging around after) for colloquium, so I'm hoping to see it!
  • noel jones, aagonoel jones, aago
    Posts: 6,611
    And the number of digital stops?
  • ghmus7
    Posts: 1,483
    Actually, there are four new organs in Catholic seminaries, I can't remember where the fourth is. But there was an article on the AGO mag about one of them.
  • Earl_GreyEarl_Grey
    Posts: 904
    No digital stops. Some practical extensions, a couple ranks that end at tenor C and an acoustic resultant 32, but all wind-blown pipes. The console does have MIDI capability, but I see no practical use for it at the present time other than record/playback to listen to my own registrations in the room (during rehearsal).
    Thanked by 1BruceL
  • Earl_GreyEarl_Grey
    Posts: 904
    Here's a link to the AO article.

    https://www.agohq.org/current-issue/

    image
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,192
    https://www.agohq.org/current-issue/ fixed. When it's an "https" prefix, don't use the link tab, but just type it directly.
    Thanked by 1Earl_Grey
  • ronkrisman
    Posts: 1,394
    Good job, @Earl_Grey.
  • bkenney27bkenney27
    Posts: 444
    St. John's Seminary in Brighton, MA just restored, renovated, and expanded their Hook & Hastings. That could be one of the ones your thinking of. Featured in TAO in October, I think.
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