Round Lake Auditorium — Attraction in Town of Malta

Sunday at the Round Lake Auditorium, I sat in the middle of the seats and felt far away from the music. The organ might be a masterpiece, but it was rejected by the church in New York City that commissioned its building. It doesn’t dominate the space inside the auditorium the way pipe organs can dominate interiors. I saw a woman I wanted to bring into conversation. “Intermission is the recess of theater. What I wouldn’t give for a chardonnay right now”.

“I brought Chardonnay to the SPAC last night”. SPAC means the Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center.

Her father had a burning question. “I see a bell tower. But I don’t see a bell. Sad to see a bell tower without a bell”.

“The bell tower doesn’t have a bell? Let’s go look”.

We walked outside. The tower had screening in the belfry. We couldn’t see bells.

“I guess the screen keeps the bats out of the belfry. But what’s a belfry without the bats”?

“The rope doesn’t reach the ground. That’s a bad sign”.

“I hear speakers have replaced the bells”.

A man wearing a red and white stripe buttondown joined our conversation.

“What an example of vernacular architecture we have before us! Never close it up and air condition it. We sit in the eighteenth century as we feel the warm night air”.

“Wow, just imagine the Methodists, sitting outside on wooden benches, singing from shared books. You must be the town historian”.

“Town historian. I’ve never been to Round Lake. The organist at Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady told me to see this masterpiece”.

“Gotcha. What do you think”?

“I love it. I can’t wait to look at the insides after the concert. But it’s a little undersized. Hey, have you been out to the Chautauqua Institute?”

“Yes, but only at night”.

“What was it like”?

“It was beautiful. And just like this building and grounds. The Round Lake Auditorium kept going after the Methodists by hosting acts on the way to the Chautauqua Institute from Martha’s Vineyard”.

“I haven’t read the posters on the walls. After the concert”.

“You’re on a Chautauqua right now, did you know”.

“What do you mean”?

“Ever read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig”?

“Yeah, everybody reads it in college and then buys a motorcycle. But I was stoned”.

“Came of age in the eighties? Hail, brother. Pirsig begins his book by talking about the Chautauqua Institute. He’s motorcycling across the country on a BMW motorcycle, and he calls it his own personal Chautauqua”.

“I have my own, personal ten foot Jesus”.

“Pasted to your dashboard, your dashboard Jesus”?

“Wow, from Depeche Mode to Cool Hand Luke it one sentence. You’re an aging griot, man”.

“So you’re on a Chautauqua”.

“I’m on a Chautauqua. What do you mean”?

“The organist at Proctor’s sent you to Round Lake Auditorium to visit the Ferris Tracker Organ. And you went, brought the family. You are so on a Chautauqua”.

“I get it. I’m on a Chautauqua. I like it. My own personal Chautauqua. I really care. On a cultural tear”.

And the true bells of the tower pealed in joy.

“Wow”, said the father. “The bells of the tower still live in the tower, still in the tower for over one hundred...

This place is wonderful and amazing as well. The 1847 Ferris Pipe Organ has a rich and mellow sound. I volunteered here years ago and I am happy that the wonderful folks in Round Lake continue to treasure this wonderful site. I can't say enough positive about this place and great people...

Was here for Round Lake Market Days which is always a fantastic event with lots of local food trucks, artist and craft and lots of local Distillers and Cider Makers. The Round Lake Library holds a book sale every year with great selection and great prices. Great little town and event...