[Magdalen] VTS Chapel,

[Grace Cangialosi]

Having attended a weekday MP service with only a handful of students in attendance, I have to say it echoed like the inside of a cave. It will be interesting to be there for the consecration on Tuesday, when it will be full and there will be organ and choir. (Of course, I'll only be outside in the tent!). But it does not seem to be a good space for small groups.

> On Oct 9, 2015, at 9:55 PM, Cantor03--- via Magdalen <magdalen at herberthouse.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> The latest issue of the pipe organ monthly, "Diapason" arrived
> today, and the lead article is about the new Taylor & Boody  instrument
> at the new VTS Chapel.  It is of 44 ranks on two manuals and  pedal.
> 
> There is one picture of the completed organ and Chapel apparently  taken
> from the main doors and looking toward the organ case - very nicely 
> built out of oaks removed from the site for building the Chapel.
> 
> The altar is on a raised platform, and there is a huge dark metal
> chandelier over the altar which acts like a baldachin.  The  altar
> has a Laudian frontal, which fits nicely.
> 
> The Chapel, discussed here on list in the past, is in the form of a  Grecian
> cross, and finished with hard plaster and tile floor, all done to enhance 
> the acoustic of the building.  Quite a bit of fussing occurred over  the 
> acoustical aspects.
> 
> Architect was the prominent firm of Robert A. M. Stern, one of the  really
> big design studios in the USA.  However, they had very little  experience
> designing churches, and I'm not sure why they were chosen.
> 
> In any case, the Chapel comes off to me still a bit sterile, and since  the
> pipe organ case is IMO over and away the most attractive feature of
> the Chapel, liturgies at the altar are going to have a tough time  
> competing.
> 
> YMMV, of course.
> 
> 
> 
> http://www.thediapason.com/content/cover-feature-30
> 
> 
> 
> David Strang.
>