W15 - Chapel

Lots of concerts here - maybe music library has some?

Bell in chapel was cast at MIT by Metals Processing Laboratory - designed by Theodore Roszak architecturally, W. A. Schmidt of Division of Industrial Cooperation designed tone. Bell weighs 1300 lbs, brass free-swinging clapper 31.5 lbs. Strike tone 432 Hz, slightly above A above middle C; also sounds fifth above at 640 Hz. Hum tone at 216 Hz and other minor overtones. (M.I.T. Reports on Research, February 1956, p 3-4; "MIT-Cambridge Campus Building W15 - Chapel Written Material" folder)

Folder contains notes/scripts for a 1956 film "The Chapel Bell: Imagination Ringing"; also "A Bell for MIT" (no date); do we have a copy of either?

Walter Holtkamp-designed organs in both Kresge Auditorium and Chapel (Walter Holtkamp Organ Co. of Cleveland, OH). 768 pipes, Pedal , Great, and Positiv

Theodore Roszak statement on chapel bell tower: "1. The notion of verticality which is the dominant note in the over all emphasis of the tower is simply to express spiritual aspiration, common to religious experience."

Chapel dedicated May 8 1955.

Bolt, Beranek, and Newman did acoustical consulting.

Related articles and papers at the archives