Palmer Trinity School

T H E N E W C A S AVA N T F R È R E S O R G A N O P U S 3 9 5 4 AT T H E P A L M E R T R I N I T Y S C H O O L C H A P E L : A FASCINATING JOURNE Y A PIPE ORGAN PROJECT IS A REAL JOURNEY! TONAL AND VISUAL CONCEPTS EVOLVE, UNFORESEEN ISSUES ALWAYS ARISE, AND MOMENTUM MAY FADE AT TIMES. JUST AS GOD MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS, THE "PIPE DREAM" ULTIMATELY BECOMES A REALITY IN ITS BEST POSSIBLE FORM. BY D A N Y W I S EM A N , C A S AVA N T F R ÈR E S At the invitation of Patrick Roberts, Head of School and Joanne Shulte, Concert Organist and Professor at Florida International University, Casavant's Vice President Simon Couture and Project Director Dany Wiseman visited Trinity Chapel for the first time on October 18, 2021. The purpose was to discuss the installation of a new pipe organ for the Palmer Trinity School Chapel. After exploring several options over the following months, we agreed that designing a new organ in the choir loft would be the best approach to serve the needs of the School's newly developing music program and address the requirements of the Chapel's future music ministry. The new organ needed to support congregational singing, accommodate a broad range of organ literature, and complement concerts featuring choirs and other instruments. Designing a school chapel organ presents unique challenges for a pipe organ builder. A chapel organ is typically smaller than those found in larger churches, and its specifica- tion and visual design must be in complete harmony with the room and its architecture. We therefore designed the organ with two cantilevered cases to optimize sound projection while ensuring it harmonized visually with the chapel's beautiful modern style. The chapel's archi- tecture served as a key inspiration in the organ's visual design process. The new Casavant Organ Opus 3954 has 22 stops, 27 ranks of pipes and 1625 pipes over two manual divisions and pedal. The expressive Swell division is located in the left case, while the Great and Pedal divisions are installed in the right case. This placement achieves an interesting sound perspective and creates a surround effect. Together, the Swell and Great divisions create a harmonious sound that effectively supports congregational singing without overpowering the voices of the congregation. At Casavant, we are truly honored to have been entrusted with this commission. This organ is unique, as it represents not only the hard work of the many individuals involved in its construction, but also the shared vision, discussions, and creative ideas that shaped its development. On behalf of my esteemed colleagues at Casavant, I would like to extend my deepest thanks to Mrs. Joanne Shulte and Mrs. Tina Lane for their creative collaboration, Mr. Patrick Robert, Head of the School, Mr. Paul Zamek, former Associate Head of the School for Operations, Mrs. Suzanne Gottlieb Calleja, Associate Head of School, Mr. Arturo Beguiristain, Facilities Manager, and Mr. Andrew Leslie Cooper for their wonderful and outstanding collaboration over the last years. It has been an immense pleasure to work with you all. IT IS OUR HOPE TH AT THIS INS TRUMENT W IL L NOT ONLY SERV E PA L MER TRINIT Y SCHOOL CH A PEL FOR M A N Y GENER ATIONS BU T W IL L A L SO BEC OME A TOOL FOR OU TRE ACH TO THE ENTIRE SCHOOL C OMMUNIT Y. DANY WISEMAN, CASAVANT FRÈRES 20 PALMERTRINITY.ORG B I R D S ' S E Y E V I E W

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