Saint Alban's School
History
The Little Sanctuary, on the grounds of the Washington Cathedral, was built in 1902 and became the chapel for St. Albans School for Boys shortly after the first classes were held in 1909. Its original function was to serve as a repository for many of the important furnishings which could not yet be given their proper locations in the then-unfinished cathedral. Such well-known appointments as the Canterbury Pulpit, the Glastonbury Cathedra, and the Jerusalem Altar were originally kept in the Little Sanctuary. Even the remains of the first bishop of Washington lay there for years before being transferred to the cathedral.The Organ
The new organ has been designed to lead the singing of the 525 boys who worship several times each week in the chapel, and it is also used at the many weddings, baptisms, and funerals of members of the school family. Its versatility is demonstrated in the diverse sonorities which are suitable for performances of music from all periods. Of the five organs on the Cathedral Close, it is the only tracker instrument.
This instrument is situated in an apse at the rear of the Little Sanctuary of St. Albans School. The casework, fashioned from white oak, has a recessed console with paneled doors, and keyboards having bone naturals and ebony accidentals. The 70% polished tin façade pipes have Roman forms, and a hand-carved polychromed replica of the school shield rests at the base of the central tower. Directly above the console, the Regal pipes are placed on a separate chest and speak through a carved wooden grille. A single bellows provides flexible winding. Because the Swell is located behind the Great and at the same level, tuning discrepancies have been minimized.
The organ was made possible through a major gift from the Rev. D. Stuart Dunnan, a 1977 graduate of the school, and his parents, in memory of Donald R. Baldwin. The dedicatory weekend took place April 25-26, 1988, and began with a recital by Richard Clemmitt, an alumnus of St. Albans and of the New England Conservatory. The following afternoon, the organ was blessed at a Festival Evensong featuring the school's Madrigal Singers in Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb and the premiere of an organ prelude entitled Elegy, composed for the occasion by Richard Roeckelein, chapel organist and chairman of the music department of the Cathedral Schools. That evening, music for organ and brass was played by William Niel and members of the National Symphony Orchestra.
1988
2/31
Composition sonore / Stop List
Great
Bourdon 16'
Prinzipal 8'
Rohrflöte 8'
Oktave 4'
Blockflöte 4'
Quinte 2 2/3'
Superoktave 2'
Tierce 1 3/5'
Mixtur 1 1/3'
Trompete 8'
Swell
Spitzgambe 8'
Celeste 8'
Gedackt 8'
Prinzipal 4'
Rohrflöte 4'
Cornet 2 2/3' II
Waldflöte 2'
Quinte 1 1/3'
Scharf 1' III
Oboe 8'
Regal 8'
Tremulant
Pedal
Subbass 16'
Offenflöte 8'
Choralbass 4'
Fagott 16'
Trompete (GT) 8'
Autres caractéristiques / Other details:
Étendue des claviers manuels / Manual compass: 58 notes (C-a3)
Étendue du pédalier / Pedal compass: 32 notes (C-g1)
Accouplements / Couplers:
SW/GT, GT/PED, SW/PED
Zimbelstern
Références / References:
The Little Sanctuary, on the grounds of the Washington Cathedral, was built in 1902 and became the chapel for St. Albans School for Boys shortly after the first classes were held in 1909. Its original function was to serve as a repository for many of the important furnishings which could not yet be given their proper locations in the then-unfinished cathedral. Such well-known appointments as the Canterbury Pulpit, the Glastonbury Cathedra, and the Jerusalem Altar were originally kept in the Little Sanctuary. Even the remains of the first bishop of Washington lay there for years before being transferred to the cathedral.The Organ
The new organ has been designed to lead the singing of the 525 boys who worship several times each week in the chapel, and it is also used at the many weddings, baptisms, and funerals of members of the school family. Its versatility is demonstrated in the diverse sonorities which are suitable for performances of music from all periods. Of the five organs on the Cathedral Close, it is the only tracker instrument.
This instrument is situated in an apse at the rear of the Little Sanctuary of St. Albans School. The casework, fashioned from white oak, has a recessed console with paneled doors, and keyboards having bone naturals and ebony accidentals. The 70% polished tin façade pipes have Roman forms, and a hand-carved polychromed replica of the school shield rests at the base of the central tower. Directly above the console, the Regal pipes are placed on a separate chest and speak through a carved wooden grille. A single bellows provides flexible winding. Because the Swell is located behind the Great and at the same level, tuning discrepancies have been minimized.
The organ was made possible through a major gift from the Rev. D. Stuart Dunnan, a 1977 graduate of the school, and his parents, in memory of Donald R. Baldwin. The dedicatory weekend took place April 25-26, 1988, and began with a recital by Richard Clemmitt, an alumnus of St. Albans and of the New England Conservatory. The following afternoon, the organ was blessed at a Festival Evensong featuring the school's Madrigal Singers in Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb and the premiere of an organ prelude entitled Elegy, composed for the occasion by Richard Roeckelein, chapel organist and chairman of the music department of the Cathedral Schools. That evening, music for organ and brass was played by William Niel and members of the National Symphony Orchestra.
1988
2/31
Composition sonore / Stop List
Great
Bourdon 16'
Prinzipal 8'
Rohrflöte 8'
Oktave 4'
Blockflöte 4'
Quinte 2 2/3'
Superoktave 2'
Tierce 1 3/5'
Mixtur 1 1/3'
Trompete 8'
Swell
Spitzgambe 8'
Celeste 8'
Gedackt 8'
Prinzipal 4'
Rohrflöte 4'
Cornet 2 2/3' II
Waldflöte 2'
Quinte 1 1/3'
Scharf 1' III
Oboe 8'
Regal 8'
Tremulant
Pedal
Subbass 16'
Offenflöte 8'
Choralbass 4'
Fagott 16'
Trompete (GT) 8'
Autres caractéristiques / Other details:
Étendue des claviers manuels / Manual compass: 58 notes (C-a3)
Étendue du pédalier / Pedal compass: 32 notes (C-g1)
Accouplements / Couplers:
SW/GT, GT/PED, SW/PED
Zimbelstern
Références / References:
