University Times

Think Heinz Memorial Chapel and weddings instantly come to mind. But, with increasing frequency, the campus landmark is the setting for concerts, recitals, building tours and other events. In fact, so much is going on that weddings make up only about 3.5 percent of the activities in the building, said assistant director Ron Klebick.

“When I came here it was more of a museum piece of stone and lead. Now it’s spirit and life,” said Klebick, who has been on the chapel staff for 15 years.

He attributes the change to the “expansionist philosophy” of chapel director Pat Gibbons.

Gibbons, who also joined the chapel staff a decade and a half ago, makes no apologies for her attempts to ensure that the building is bustling.

Her duty, as she sees it? “Expanding (the chapel’s) use and making sure that it’s here for people to use and enjoy,” she said.

In addition to about 180 weddings a year, regular worship services and an occasional memorial service, the chapel is the scene of lunchtime student recitals, a growing Pittsburgh Artists concert series, organ concerts and other musical and choir events.

The Pittsburgh Artists Series grew out of a Valentine’s Day benefit by singer Daphne Alderson. The event was such a success that four concerts were added last season. This season, the series has expanded to six evening concerts that range from chamber music to pop.

“It gives local Pittsburgh musicians a chance to perform in a spectacular venue,” Klebick said.

Word is getting around, Gibbons said. Where once she had to seek performers, she is beginning to field requests from musicians asking to participate.

The chapel continues the tradition of regular organ concerts started by former University organist Robert Sutherland Lord with a free Sunday organ concert each month from September through April.

The sole concert in the organ series for which a ticket is required is sponsored by the Pittsburgh chapter of the American Guild of Organists. This year’s AGO concert will take place at 4 p.m. Nov. 20, featuring Korean organist Yoon-Mi Lim.

The expanded student recital series at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesdays brings a bit of midday enjoyment to a lunchtime audience, who are welcome to eat as they listen to vocal or instrumental music presented by area university students fill the chapel’s soaring Gothic interior.

“It’s a really nice use of the facility all the way around,” Klebick said, noting that students get the opportunity to perform in a fine setting and patrons can enjoy a free performance that wraps up in time for them to get back to their desks by the end of the lunch hour.

“It’s a good reason to take a breather and come over here,” Klebick said.

Events sponsored by the Pitt music department include Bach and the Baroque concerts, performances by the Heinz Chapel Choir and the Women’s Choral Ensemble and Men’s Glee Club.

A complete schedule is available at www.discover.pitt.edu/chapel.

Tours also are a big part of the day-to-day doings at Heinz Chapel.

“The number of tours has skyrocketed in the past five to six years,” Gibbons said.

She attributes that upswing to the enthusiastic, knowledgeable and pleasant nature of chapel docent/events coordinators Tom Meisner and Robert Digby. Individuals who walk in may get an informal tour; groups are asked to schedule a time to visit and make a freewill donation.

Gibbons wants to see the building used and enjoyed now, but also has an eye toward its future.

Pitt spends about $100,000 each year in day-to-day maintenance, she said. In addition, the chapel’s $300,000 annual budget is sustained in equal parts by grants from the Howard Heinz Foundation and by money generated through event fees, web site advertising, book sales and wedding program covers featuring images of the chapel.

A reserve fund to cover emergency expenses was started in 2001, supported largely by the sale of $150 hand-blown glass angels. A different angel is available each year.

“We’re trying to reinforce that we do need to raise funds for this building and make sure it’s viable,” Gibbons said.

Gibbons currently is seeking funding for an evaluation of the building’s exterior to determine what maintenance will be needed over the next 10 to 15 years.

“We really view ourselves as a community resource, not just the University’s,” Klebick said.

“We’re here to serve the University, but also to serve the Pittsburgh community as well.”

—Kimberly K. Barlow