New Goodson Chapel Organ Nearly Complete
July 7, 2008
Builders are in the final stages of assembling a 30-foot-high pipe organ constructed for Goodson Chapel at Duke Divinity School, and plans are under way for several inaugural events.
The $800,000 Gothic and neo-Gothic organ, which contains 1,837 pipes, is expected to be complete in time for an Aug. 26 dedication service that will be part of the school’s Opening Convocation. A dedicatory recital will follow later that day.
“Goodson Chapel was originally envisioned to house a grand pipe organ that would enhance the worship life of this community for generations to come,” says the Rev. Susan Pendleton Jones, who helped oversee the 2005 addition to the Divinity School that included Goodson Chapel, and is now director of field education. “Duke students, faculty and staff for generations to come will offer musical praise to God in this magnificent space thanks to the generosity of a major gift by Duke alumni Aubrey and Katie McClendon.”
The inaugural events include:
Aug. 26
- 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Opening convocation/service of dedication for new Goodson Chapel organ. Begins in Duke Chapel and then moves to Goodson Chapel. Duke University President Richard H. Brodhead will officially accept the organ from Richards, Fowkes & Co. Organ Builders of Ooltewah, Tenn. - 2 p.m.
Panel discussion with David Arcus, Goodson Chapel Organist and Associate University Organist, and organ builders at Goodson Chapel - 4 p.m.
Dedicatory recital by Arcus at Goodson Chapel
Oct. 13
- 6:45 p.m.
Demonstration recital at Convocation and Pastors’ School for Divinity School graduates and friends
Oct. 24
- 8 p.m.
Inaugural recital by Arcus as part of Parents and Family Weekend at Duke University
Spring 2009
- Concert with commissioned organ work. Date, time and organist/composer to be announced later.