The James and Mary Emelia Mayne Centre
[Photograph: University of Queensland]
The James and Mary Emelia Mayne Centre
[Photograph: University of Queensland]
Historical and Technical Documentation by Geoffrey Cox
© OHTA 1989, 2011 (last updated February 2011)
The James and Mary Emelia Mayne Centre at the University of Queensland, which houses the University Art Museum, was officially opened in April 2004 following a major refurbishment of the building formerly known as Mayne Hall. The original building was designed by the prominent Brisbane architect, Robin Gibson, and opened in March 1973. Its name, like that of the Mayne Centre, acknowledges the generosity of Dr James Mayne and Miss Mary Emelia Mayne, who gave to the University its main campus at St Lucia, the Veterinary Farm at Moggill, the family home "Moorlands" on Coronation Drive, and a very substantial income to support the Medical School.1
Mayne Hall, University of Queensland
[Photograph by Howard Baker (1990s)]
Mayne Hall was designed to accommodate concerts and University functions, including graduations, and it was much praised in its early years for its acoustic qualities. These original acoustic qualities were to some extent modified in 1993 when the entire seating area was carpeted.2
Interior of Mayne Hall, University of Queensland before 2003
[Photograph by Mark Quarmby (October 1989)]
The acquisition of the organ for Mayne Hall was seen in the mid-1970s as a significant and bold step: It was the first major neo-classical organ in Queensland.3 It has been suggested that the asymmetrical casework design may have been based on that of the 1962 Schuke organ in the Kaiser Wilhelm Kirche, Berlin.4 Even if the Orgelbewegung style of the instrument did not meet with universal approval,5 this organ went on to provide a valuable teaching and performing resource for the community over several decades.6
The original timeframe for ordering and installing the organ appears to have been rushed: It was designed and assembled by Roger H. Pogson of Sydney, the components having been manufactured in 1974-75 by Aug. Laukhuff, Weikersheim, West Germany. The instrument was opened with a recital by Robert Boughen and associate artists on 1 June 1976.7
[Photographs by Howard Baker (1990s)]
The 2003-04 conversion of the hall into an art gallery "with concert facilities" sparked considerable controversy,8 not to mention concern for the future of the pipe organ that had been installed as part of the original concept. The organ was dismantled in mid-2003, and reinstalled within the refurbished building in 2004 by W. J. Simon Pierce.9 The stage was removed, and the interior sub-divided for the purpose of art exhibition. The organ now occupies its original position, although the interior no longer functions as an auditorium.
The organ in the refurbished building since 2004
[Photograph by Geoffrey Cox (August 2007)]
| GREAT Bourdon Principal Rohr Flute Octave Nachthorn Nazard Octave Blockflute Tierce Mixture Cymbel Trumpet Tremulant SWELL Hohl Flute Salicional Celeste Spitz Principal Nazard Wald Flute Tierce Quint Flute Sifflute Mixture Dulzian Rohr Schalmei Vox Humana Tremulant |
16 8 8 4 4 2-2/3 2 2 1-3/5 IV-V III 8 8 8 8 4 2-2/3 2 1-3/5 1-1/3 1 IV 16 8 8 |
[Tenor C] |
POSITIVE Gedackt Principal Chimney Flute Octave Gemshorn Quint Sesquialtera Scharff Musette Trumpet en chamade Tremulant PEDAL Principal Sub Bass Octave Gedackt Octave Mixture Fagott Posaune Trumpet Schalmei Great to Pedal Swell to Pedal Positive to Pedal Swell to Great Swell to Positive Positive to Great |
8 4 4 2 2 1-1/3 II IV 8 8 16 16 8 8 4 IV 32 16 8 4 |
[quarter-length] [wood] |
There have reportedly been subsequent changes including the pipework for the Positive Musette in the 1990s, when Knud Smenge of Melbourne was engaged to re-voice the instrument.11
Console of the Pogson/Laukhuff organ
[Photograph by Howard Baker (1990s)]
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1 Rosamond Siemon, The Mayne Inheritance: A Gothic Tale of Murder, Madness and Scandal across the Generations (St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, 1997).
2 Ross Windsor, 'The Organ of Mayne Hall at the University of Queensland, Australia', The Organ Voice, vol. 22, no. 1 (Autumn 1995), p. 33.
3 Robert Boughen, 'Brisbane Organs' (letter), The Courier Mail (15 June 1976), p. 2.
4 [John Maidment], 'New Tracker Organ Opened at Queensland University', Victorian Organ Journal, vol. 4, no. 9 (July 1976), pp. 10-12.
5 Windsor, op. cit.
6 Michael Fulcher, 'Mayne Hall Organ: A Player's Profile', Organ Society of Queensland Newsletter, vol. 15, no. 4 (February 1988), pp. 5-11.
7Sydney Organ Journal, vol. 5, no. 6 (June 1974), p. 16; Organ Society of Queensland Newsletter, vol. 1, no. 5 (August 1974), p. 2; The Courier Mail (3 February 1976), p. 8, (18 March 1976), p. 10 and (2 June 1976); The Sunday Mail (6 June 1976).
8 The Courier Mail (25 March 2004).
9 The Organ Voice, vol. 30, no. 2 (June 2003), back cover; The Organ Voice, vol. 31, no. 2 (June 2004), p. 23; The Organ Voice, vol. 31, no. 4 (December 2004), p. 14.
10 Specification noted by G. Cox, 1989.
11 Personal communication to G. Cox from John Maidment, February 2011.