Russell & Co. Organ Builders, Chester, Vermont
Zion Lutheran Church,
Appleton, Wisconsin
From the Builder
The organ that preceded the new instrument began its life in 1903: a two-manual, 19-rank tubular-pneumatic instrument built by John H. Sole of Fremont, Ohio. The tonal scheme was typical of many late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century instruments, with broad foundations, a well-developed Principal chorus on the Great, colorful flutes, and reeds of the period. Overall quality of the pipework was quite good. It is speculated that the physical layout was also well engineered and provided adequate tonal egress based on other Sole instruments of the period. Sadly, the tubular mechanism was not as robust and was failing by mid-century.
In 1946 J. H. McGaw, a former employee of W. W. Kimball of Chicago who relocated to Green Bay, Wisconsin, after Kimball ceased its pipe organ production in 1942, completed a rebuild of the instrument, enlarging it by one rank, but redistributing the resources over three manuals, 36 stops. The physical layout of the organ was changed to accommodate the new supply house electro-pneumatic windchests that occupied considerably more room. A supply house console was also provided. The entire instrument, save one Pedal rank, was enclosed in long narrow expression chambers to regulate the volume, with minimal tone openings at their front. This necessitated very loud and forced voicing of the pipework to create enough sonic energy to escape the confines of its enclosure, adequate in the sanctuary, but unpleasantly loud for the choir singers sitting directly in front of the organ. Much of the Sole pipework was retained, though in some cases repurposed for the new specification. Several ranks were changed to add softer string and celeste sounds to the organ.
The organ was repaired, revoiced, and modified in 1980 by J. C. Taylor & Co. with the addition of higher-pitched pipes to add brilliance to the ensemble, ultimately resulting in an instrument of 22 ranks. The organ was further repaired and modified in the mid 1990s.
By the turn of the twenty-first century it was evident that the organ’s mechanism was worn out and that a major mechanical and electrical rebuilding would be required. The issues with tonal egress also needed to be addressed.
The organ committee of Zion Lutheran Church in conjunction with their consultant, John Schwandt, was determined to do something special for both the church and the community at large. In 2006 proposals were sought from several builders. It was acknowledged that funds for such a project were limited, but their sights were set high. Russell & Co. was selected to build a new organ for the church with the intent of utilizing as much as possible of the best pipework from the old organ. This was both in the spirit of valuing, honoring, and building on the past and recycling for the future. In other words, it was a “green” solution compatible with the faith and tradition of Zion Lutheran Church.
During discussions on design and cost in 2007 and 2008, a rare, substantial symphonic organ built by M. P. Möller in 1931 (Opus 6007) located in Elmira, New York, became available. The availability of this instrument changed the direction of the project, leading to a final proposal for a grand instrument founded on the symphonic tradition for Zion Lutheran Church and the Fox Valley.
The symphonic organ is all about warmth, color, and blend, with a smoothness and luxury of tone not appreciated for many years. While powerful, the tone lacks harshness, unlike far too many organs built in recent times. At the same time this instrument goes beyond the confines of a purely symphonic instrument and can perform a wide variety of both liturgical and concert music from all periods of history.
The Great and Swell divisions have well-developed and blended choruses with an emphasis on foundation tone. In the Great, the original Sole chorus of Principals (8′, 4′, 22⁄3′, and 2′) was reinstated to its rightful place. The pipes of the 8′ and 4′ stops were rebuilt for a cleaner tone. The other ranks were revoiced to the power and tone as they might have been in the early twentieth century. A new Mixture stop of four ranks was added to complete the chorus and add a crowning brilliance to the organ, well suited to the music of Bach and the Lutheran liturgy. The Choir and Solo divisions are more orchestral in nature, full of colorful reed and string ranks. An organ Harp, a percussion stop similar to a vibraphone, crowns the instrument at the top of the upper Solo division. The Pedal division is rich and smooth, providing a solid underpinning for the instrument.
Installation of the organ commenced in March 2013 with the first sounds heard in October of that year. As the instrument neared completion at the end of 2015, Zion was able to commission a design for a new gothic-inspired organ case and solicit bids for its construction. Local craftsman Dwayne “Doc” Sultzbaugh was commissioned by Zion to construct the case according to plans developed by Charles Ford of Quimby Pipe Organ Builders (QPO) in conjunction with Stephen Russell. QPO donated the largest façade pipes for the project as well as pipes from the bottom octave of the 32′ Tuba. The smaller façade pipes at the outer two sections are from the original Sole organ façade. The case and final pipework was installed in the fall of 2016.
It has been a privilege to see this fine organ unfold from its original conception in our shop drawings to its completion in this historic church sanctuary. We expect it to bring much joy to the congregation, community, and musicians alike.
—Stephen J. Russell
Russell & Co. Organ Builders
Chester, Vermont
From the Music Minister
Preserving the past to move forward into the future has been a goal of both Zion Lutheran Church and this organ project. The worship space at Zion dates from 1903 and is a beautiful, classic sanctuary with large stained-glass windows and a glorious main altar. It is fitting that the organ committee and organbuilder created an instrument that harmonizes visually and aurally with its grand surroundings.
Zion has long been the congregation that breaks with tradition and strives for something different. This was evident when they installed the Sole organ in 1903, and they continued this tradition with the installation Russell & Co. Opus 57.
Since starting my work at Zion in early 2014, I have been able to hear the organ at all stages of the process. From its very early sounds to what graces the sanctuary today, the organ has been a joy to play each week. Stephen Russell has worked so that the organ at its softest sings beautifully, and when the organ is roaring at full capacity, it isn’t screaming at the listener, but rather warmly enveloping the listener in the breadth of sound the organ creates.
It has been an honor and privilege to step into such a momentous organ project. Working with the organ committee upon my arrival, it was clear that this was going to be an instrument unlike the Fox Valley of Wisconsin has ever seen. The vision, dedication, and artistry of our organ consultant, John Schwandt, and organbuilder, Stephen Russell, has helped Zion to ready themselves for a long, continuing, future of music. This instrument is, using Dr. Schwandt’s words, “a blessed gift.” To God Alone be the Glory.
—Matthew Walsh, Music Minister
Zion Lutheran Church
Appleton, Wisconsin
GREAT – unenclosed
16′ Contra-Diapason (ext Pedal 4′ Choralbass) 24 pipes
8′ Principal 61 pipes
8′ Rohrfloete 61 pipes
4′ Octave 61 pipes
4′ Nachthorn 61 pipes
22⁄3′ Twelfth 61 pipes
2′ Fifteenth 61 pipes
13⁄5′ Seventeenth 61 pipes
11⁄3′ Mixture IV 244 pipes
SWELL – expressive
16′ Lieblich Gedeckt 24 pipes (ext Koppelfloete)
8′ Open Diapason 61 pipes
8′ Bourdon 61 pipes
8′ Viola Pomposa 61 pipes
8′ Viola Celeste 61 pipes
4′ Principal 61 pipes
4′ Koppelfloete 61 pipes
22⁄3′ Nazard 61 pipes
2′ Flautino 61 pipes
13⁄5′ Tierce 61 pipes
2′ Plein Jeu IV–V 296 pipes
16′ Contra-Oboe 73 pipes
8′ Trumpet 73 pipes
8′ Oboe (ext 16′)
4′ Clarion (ext 8′)
Tremulant
8′ Vox Humana 61 pipes
Vox Tremulant
Swell 16
Unison Off
Swell 4
CHOIR – expressive
16′ Gemshorn 85 pipes
8′ English Diapason 61 pipes
8′ Harmonic Flute 49 pipes (1–12 fr Gemshorn)
8′ Quintadena 61 pipes
8′ Gemshorn (ext 16′)
8′ Gemshorn Celeste 61 pipes
4′ Gemshorn (ext 16′)
16′ Bass Clarinet 73 pipes
8′ Tromba 61 pipes
8′ Clarinet (ext 16′)
Tremulant
8′ Tuba (Solo)
Harp (Solo)
Chimes (prepared for)
Choir 16
Unison Off
Choir 4
SOLO – expressive
8′ Diapason (unenclosed) 61 pipes
8′ Flauto Mirabilis 49 pipes (1–12 Pedal Open)
8′ Gamba 61 pipes
8′ Gamba Celeste 61 pipes
4′ Hohlpfeife 61 pipes
16′ Tuba Profunda 85 pipes
8′ Tuba Mirabilis (ext 16′)
8′ French Horn 61 pipes
4′ Tuba-Clarion (ext 16′)
Tremulant
Solo 16
Unison Off
Solo 4
SOLO II
16′ Gemshorns II (Ch)
8′ Koppelfloete (Sw)
8′ Gemshorns II (Ch)
4′ Gemshorns II (Ch)
4′ Rohrfloete (Gt)
2′ Gemshorn (Ch)
16′ Vox Humana (TC) (Sw)
8′ Tromba (Ch)
8′ Trumpet (Sw)
8′ Oboe (Sw)
8′ Clarinet (Ch)
8′ Vox Humana (draws Trem) (Sw)
Harp 61 notes
Chimes (prepared for)
Zimbelstern
Solo II is unaffected by couplers
PEDAL
32′ Contrabass (resultant)
32′ Contra-Bourdon (resultant)
16′ Open Wood Diapason (25–32 Solo Flauto Mirabilis) 24 pipes
16′ Contra-Diapason (Gt)
16′ Subbass 32 pipes
16′ Lieblich Gedeckt (Sw)
16′ Gemshorn (Ch)
8′ Diapason (Solo)
8′ Bourdon 32 pipes
8′ Lieblich Gedeckt (Sw)
8′ Gemshorn (Ch)
4′ Choralbass 32 pipes
4′ Nachthorn 32 pipes
22⁄3′ Mixture V 48 pipes (draws 4′ Choralbass)
32′ Contra Tuba (ext 16′) 12 pipes
32′ Fagotto (Harmonics)
16′ Tuba Profunda (Solo)
16′ Contra-Oboe (Sw)
16′ Bass Clarinet (Ch)
8′ Tromba (Ch)
8′ Trumpet (Sw)
4′ Tromba-Clarion (Ch)
4′ Clarinet (Ch)
Chimes (prepared for)
Pedal Divide
Pedal Silent
COUPLERS
Great to Pedal 8
Swell to Pedal 8
Swell to Pedal 4
Choir to Pedal 8
Choir to Pedal 4
Solo to Pedal 8
Solo to Pedal 4
Swell to Great 16
Swell to Great 8
Swell to Great 4
Choir to Great 16
Choir to Great 8
Choir to Great 4
Solo to Great 16
Solo to Great 8
Solo to Great 4
Swell to Choir 16
Swell to Choir 8
Swell to Choir 4
Solo to Choir 16
Solo to Choir 8
Solo to Choir 4
Swell to Solo 16
Swell to Solo 8
Swell to Solo 4
Great to Solo 8
SELECTED ACCESSORIES
All Swells to Swell
Hidden MIDI control panel with lighted
pistons
MIDI on Solo 1, 2, 3
MIDI on Swell 1, 2, 3
MIDI on Great 1, 2, 3
MIDI on Choir 1, 2, 3
MIDI on Pedal 1, 2, 3
49 ranks, 2,825 pipes
Builder’s website: www.russellorgans.com.
Church website: www.zionappleton.com.
