Our Concert Artist:     
2007 ATOS Grand Organ Tour

Cadet Chapel - West Point, New York
 4/346 Möller
 Monday, July 2 2007
Scott Foppiano		  

Founded in 1778, the United States Military Academy at West Point is the oldest and most preeminent military academy in the country. 

The Academy is located approximately 50 miles north of New York City on the banks of the Hudson River. The campus and central post area comprise only a small portion of the nearly 16,000 acre reservation.

The Cadet Chapel is a famous landmark and symbol of religious activities of the Military Academy and was designed by the renowned firm of Cram, Goodhue and Ferguson. Dedicated in 1910 and constructed of native granite, this building blends naturally into the surrounding landscape. The architecture combines the techniques and shapes of Gothic with the massiveness of medieval fortresses. This architectural theme dominates other construction at West Point.
Photo courtesy Richard MogridgeThe Cadet Chapel organ was originally built by M. P. Möller in 1911. Frederick C. Mayer, organist from 1911 to 1954, oversaw a series of enlargements which, by 1951, left the organ with 213 ranks and 14,195 pipes.

Mayer was influenced by George A. Audsley in his distinctive tonal design, which includes an unusual 72-rank Harmonic division, with its choruses of loud and soft mutations.  Enlarged further by memorial gifts, it is now the largest church organ in the world.

The current West Point stoplist with a total of 874 speaking stops controlling 23,236 pipes, is awesome in both its scale and its unique character. The impressive four-manual keydesk is arguably the world's largest "horseshoe" console.
 
Photo courtesy Richard MogridgeThe chapel's beautiful stained glass windows were designed by the Willet Studios of Philadelphia. The great Sanctuary Window, inscribed with the words of the motto of the Academy, "Duty, Honor, Country,"


Console and stained glass photos courtesy Richard Mogridge.