Yes the church hired the best theater architect they could find to design the new church. At that time not many theaters where putting in organs. And the organist was not a builder. But in the space age that was not going to stop anyone. So to fix the problem a brilliant solution was devised to locate the pipe rooms close to the auditorium but not in the room. And they would just mic them and replay the sound in the auditorium so at best it sounds like a recorded piece of music. The church is constructed with concrete so the large rooms have a thick concrete ceiling and walls they probably could survive a nuclear blast. (i.e. a bunker) but the up side for the organ is they have been in a constant temp not affected by the temp swings of the auditorium. We have just made the best of it.
the 4th manual was added in 1950 at the old church at 84th. as an echo organ. it was in the back of the 900 seat church in the celing. the sound is still talked about today. it came from the eastmont theater. the new building in 1967 the architect left the organ chambers out of the plans. by the time the omission was discovered by the organist it was to late to rebuild that part of the new building as it was set in concrete. with the best sound gear money could buy and little choice, the planners said that it would be better than ever. that plan totaly failed and is heart breaker to this day. the echo organ also then became part of the 2nd chamber in 69. the church was never happy about it in any way shape or form. yes it is very tired it has served well.
Yes the church hired the best theater architect they could find to design the new church. At that time not many theaters where putting in organs. And the organist was not a builder. But in the space age that was not going to stop anyone. So to fix the problem a brilliant solution was devised to locate the pipe rooms close to the auditorium but not in the room. And they would just mic them and replay the sound in the auditorium so at best it sounds like a recorded piece of music. The church is constructed with concrete so the large rooms have a thick concrete ceiling and walls they probably could survive a nuclear blast. (i.e. a bunker) but the up side for the organ is they have been in a constant temp not affected by the temp swings of the auditorium. We have just made the best of it.
the 4th manual was added in 1950 at the old church at 84th. as an echo organ. it was in the back of the 900 seat church in the celing. the sound is still talked about today. it came from the eastmont theater. the new building in 1967 the architect left the organ chambers out of the plans. by the time the omission was discovered by the organist it was to late to rebuild that part of the new building as it was set in concrete. with the best sound gear money could buy and little choice, the planners said that it would be better than ever. that plan totaly failed and is heart breaker to this day. the echo organ also then became part of the 2nd chamber in 69. the church was never happy about it in any way shape or form. yes it is very tired it has served well.