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New Organs

February 14, 2014
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32Mar 2014 New Organs-StJane-Lively Fulcher.pdf  

The Parish of St. Jane Frances de Chantal was founded in 1950 and is part of the Archdiocese of Washington. The original church building, which was designed by Philip Frohman (architect of Washington National Cathedral), underwent a major renovation and expansion project in 2001. The new sanctuary has a seating capacity for over 800 persons and features a wide nave with 65-foot ceilings. Parts of the Frohman building were preserved, including the former choir loft, which is now the liturgical south transept. When the church renovation project was completed, plans for a pipe organ were put on hold until the mortgage debt could be paid off. 

A parish organ committee was assembled in 2012 and solicited bids from three respectable organ building firms. Ultimately, a contract was signed with the Lively-Fulcher organ company, whose craftsmanship is well known in the Washington, D.C. area. Due to the organ’s placement in a side transept, careful planning was made in advance in order to determine suitable pipe scaling for what has become somewhat of a representative instrument of the Lively-Fulcher firm: a complete two-manual specification with the addition of a third manual Solo/Bombarde division. A case built of white oak adds visual beauty to the room and enhances the instrument’s sound projection well into the nave.

After the instrument was installed in the church, an extensive period of tonal finishing took place. The final product works wonderfully with the building’s generous acoustics. It is voiced to create a large sonorous impact without sounding overly aggressive and/or shrill. The quality of 8 tone enhances the organ’s ability to successfully lead an enthusiastic congregation in hymnody, and the impressive dynamic range of the swell box works splendidly for choral accompanying.

The Parish of St. Jane Frances de Chantal is highly appreciative of its new instrument. Among the favorable reviews, one parishioner commented that it feels as if the instrument gives listeners a warm sonorous “hug.” A Mass of Blessing and Dedication took place on November 17, 2013, and was celebrated by Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington. Following the Mass, Russell Weismann, the church’s director of music, performed a dedicatory recital. A series of concerts to celebrate the new organ is planned, culminating with a recital by Johann Vexo, organist of Notre Dame de Paris, on May 4. 

—Russell Weismann

Director of Liturgy and Music

St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church

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