New Organs

J.H. & C.S. Odell, East Hampton, Connecticut, Opus 644

St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, Bridgehampton, New York

From the Rector of St. Ann’s

The committee all agreed--something had to be done. For
years the church organ had been in irreversible decline, and the time had come
to act. I regarded this to be a daunting and confusing challenge in which we
needed professional counsel. Dr. Mark Andersen guided us through the various
options and needs of the decision-making process, and by July 2004 it was
agreed that J.H. and C.S. Odell of East Hampton, Connecticut be engaged to
restore the organ. It was a decision that we would never regret.

In September 2004, Edward and Holly Odell arrived to remove
the existing organ. Pipes were carefully laid out in special boxes. Frames and
blowers were removed--and those were only the things that I could
identify! It all happened remarkably quickly, and before long the truck was
driven away leaving a large space where the console had once stood, and a
spotlessly clean church where the disassembly had taken place.

The novelty of using just piano and occasional other
instruments wore off after Christmas, and we waited anxiously for the organ to
return. Our patience was not helped by tantalizing photographs and reports sent
regularly from the Odell factory showing the new instrument taking shape!

It was March 2005 (the day I was flying off on vacation)
that the Odell team returned. It was time to put the whole thing together, but
it was only two weeks before Holy Week, and three to Easter. Could it really be
done?

Eight days later I returned to find the church in wonderful
disarray with parts and pipes everywhere, and Edward Odell looking and sounding
confident, if a little tired. Yes, of course it could be done. The project was
running according to schedule. The organ would be partly voiced by Palm Sunday
and ready for Easter.

Every part was in place and every promise fulfilled. A
magnificent new console was carefully maneuvered into position. Pipes were
ready and being expertly voiced by Holly Odell. Cables and wires were
connected. The organ had life--and was indeed ready for Easter morning. It
was resurrection in a different form!

We have not looked back since then. Not only has this
instrument enhanced our Sunday worship, it has enabled us to host a season of
superb organ recitals over the summer, and earned for St. Ann’s Church a
reputation for being a place where good music can be found.
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 

Working with the Odell Organ Company has been not only a
proven right decision but also a joy. From the outset we not only admired the
professionalism of Edward and Holly Odell, but also came to share in their love
of organs and sheer depth of knowledge in their field. All these things,
coupled with their warmth and sense of humor, have made the whole process one
which we can reflect on with immense satisfaction. It is never an easy task for
a small parish church to embark on such a large project and investment, but we
know that we have learned and benefited so much from choosing the right organ
and the right builder.

The Reverend Tim Lewis, Rector

St. Ann’s Episcopal Church

Bridgehampton, New York

From the Consultant

As an organ consultant for nearly 35 years, I have had the
opportunity to design a large range of instruments from the smallest two-manual
to several five-manual instruments throughout the United States, England, and
Australia.

St. Ann’s parish is that wonderful combination of
sophistication in a relaxed atmosphere. It is many New Yorkers’ church away
from home, and the organ would have to meet the discriminating tastes of
parishioners who worship in some of the largest churches in the metropolitan
area.

There was not much with which to start--an old hybrid
Möller from the ’20’s that was on its very last legs after having several ranks
replaced over the years. I designed an organ specification capable of
accompanying a proper Anglican service, but in a size and fit that matched St.
Ann’s. After requesting bids from many organbuilders, it was clear that J.H.
& C.S. Odell had the talent to see the task through with outstanding
results. Tonally the organ now fits the space perfectly and is complete enough
in specification to satisfy even the most discriminating organists. The
craftsmanship is superb, and the voicing is clear and clean, leaning beautifully
toward the English tradition. The project has surpassed my expectations.

Mark Andersen, PhD

New Berlin, New York

From the Organbuilder

Our Opus 644 began life as what could be termed a “Heinz 57”
instrument, which is to say it featured a combination of pipes and parts from a
combination of organbuilders and suppliers. The console case and most of the
wooden pipes in the organ date from a five-stop 1927 M.P. Möller instrument,
which was then rebuilt and altered in the early 1970s. It was during this 1970s
rebuild that much of the original pipework was replaced.

As we found it, the organ was a unified instrument of modest
resources, most of them well made if not terribly well looked after. It was
unrefined, but met the basic requirements. In the 1980s a German supply house
Trumpet 8’ and Mixture III (inexplicably, a Zimbel based on 2?3’ pitch) were
added, along with a polished tin Gemshorn that was used to form a façade. The
entire organ was in a single expression chamber to the right of the chancel. The
existing electro-pneumatic unit chests, made from solid mahogany, were in good
physical condition, though the installation made maintenance access difficult
in certain areas.

In July of 2004, Dr. Mark Andersen (organ consultant to St.
Ann’s) approached us with a prospectus that included a rebuild and enlargement
of the organ. In addition to new pipes and new chest work, a new 3-manual
terrace-jamb console was part of this plan.

Dr. Andersen’s proposed stoplist would add a total of nine
ranks to the organ. The scheme had an immediate appeal, as it would expand the
resources of the organ to include a full principal chorus in the Great, as well
as a new 8’ Rohrflute to contrast the existing Chimney Flute in the Swell.
“Fleshing out” the Great with six new ranks allowed us to recast the remaining
resources to work as a mostly independent Swell division. The new scheme would
also extend the existing Trumpet to 16’ pitch to play from the Pedal and add a
small Cornet (a tenor C, 2-rank 12/17 combination, scaled and voiced to match
the new Great flute).

The challenge, of course, was to now somehow fit 19 ranks in
a space that before barely contained eight. Early in the design process it became
evident that much of the precious real estate in the organ chamber could be
reclaimed if the many offset chests for various ranks could be consolidated
onto a new single offset chest that would also provide for the new Trumpet 16’.
We also wanted to ensure the new chamber layout would permit adequate access
for service and, most importantly, tuning. Rebuilding the existing expression
shades and fitting them with new expression controllers made available space
that had been previously occupied by a pneumatic motor with an unwieldy linkage
system.

We developed a new 7’4? diatonic chest scale to accommodate
the new stops and the relocated Gemshorn. The existing Principal 8’ was
carefully revoiced to give it more moderate power, and the new principal ranks
were scaled and voiced to build from this new foundation. The new Great Bourdon
8’ was voiced using a special arch cutup schedule, which lent the pipes a color
that allows the stop to work superbly as both a solo and ensemble voice. The
Swell was given its own new 3-rank mixture based on 2’ pitch, and the existing
Zimbel mixture was recomposed into a more appropriate chorus mixture based on
11?3’ pitch for the Great.

Though the action for the new chestwork was specified to be
electro-mechanical, we milled all windchest toeboards to be no less than one
and one-half inches in thickness. This, along with proper attention to voicing,
successfully offset any pipe speech problems normally anticipated with this
type of action. Our windchests were made from solid poplar, with the exception
of the toeboard for the new Swell Mixture, which was milled from sugar pine.

The new console and case, both entirely of our own design
and manufacture, were milled  in
our East Hampton shop from solid quarter-sawn white oak, and stained and
finished to match existing fixtures in the sanctuary. The console interior
(stop jambs and key cheeks) was milled from solid walnut and finished with
hand-rubbed Danish oil. The façade pipes are polished tin, made to custom
specifications we developed and submitted to our friends at Giesecke. The new
flue pipes were built to our scales by Luc Ladurantaye Tuyatier of Lac Saguay,
Quebec.

Along with the standard complement of accessories, the
console features an integrated control system with multiple memory levels,
programmable crescendo and sforzando, 12-step transposer and MIDI interface for
record and playback ability. The digital Antiphonal division was contracted and
installed separately by Artisan Instruments.

Edward Odell

J.H. & C.S. Odell

Glück New York,

New York, New York

The Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Cold Spring, New York

This historic church, known for its remarkable collection of
stained glass windows, was recently restored, with a new instrument and a
marble chancel floor included in the renewal plans. Under the direction of Fr.
Brian McSweeney, Pastor; Frances Pergamo, Director of Music; and Fr. Richard D.
Baker of the New York Archdiocese, three organbuilders were each invited to
present their vision of an appropriate musical instrument. The smallest and
most stylistically focused proposal submitted, the new Glück organ occupies a
traditional position in the rear gallery to great acoustical advantage. While
the organ looks toward the French orgue d’accompagnement of the 1860s for both
its concept and tonal palette, it is certainly not intended to be a stylistic
copy.

The manual soundboards are placed side-by-side at impost
level, with the Swell to the right, its vertical shutters operated by direct
mechanical linkage. The two large wooden pedal stops stand on their own
windchests behind the organ. The Great organ incorporates some pipework from a
mid-1870s Levi Underwood Stuart organ of undetermined provenance. Interior
metal pipes are of 70% lead alloy, except for the Swell strings, which are of
50% tin. Wooden pipework is of pine and fir. The façade pipes are built with
English bay leaf mouths arrayed in a swag pattern after Gottfried Silbermann’s
façades of the 1740s.

The walnut keydesk en fenêtre sports beveled figured maple
jambs and pao ferro drawknobs. Both pedal and manual accidentals are Brazilian
rosewood. Compasses are 56/30; there is no combination action, but the three
unison couplers are reversible by toe paddles. The case is painted in various
shades of olive, with details in sapphire, ruby, and faux marbre. Architectural
design was by Sebastian M. Glück, who executed the Neapolitan-style angel,
tower finials, and buttress niches, which are suitably polychromed and gilded.
Color photographs may be viewed at the firm’s web site at
<www.glucknewyork.com&gt;.

The structural design and layout are the work of Albert
Jensen-Moulton, general manager of the firm, who was assisted in the
construction of the organ by Dominic Inferrera, foreman. Voicing and tonal
finishing were accomplished on site by Sebastian M. Glück, tonal director. The
organ was formally dedicated in a series of three recitals by Lana Kollath, Dr.
Jennifer Pascual, and the builder.

--Benito Orso

GREAT

8’               Open
Diapason

8’               Open
Wood Flute

4’               Principal

2’               Doublet

8’               Hautboy
(from Swell)

                       Swell
to Great

                       Swell
to Great Octaves

SWELL

8’               Salicional

8’               Voix
Céleste

8’               Stopped
Diapason

4’               Harmonic
Flute

8’               Hautboy

                       Tremulant

                       Swell
to Swell Octaves

PEDAL

16’           Open
Wood Bass

16’           Stopped
Bass

8’               Octave
style="mso-spacerun: yes">  from Great

8’               Hautboy
from Swell

                       Great
to Pedal

Swell to Pedal

                       Swell
to Pedal Octaves

Karl Wilhelm Inc., Mont St. Hilaire, Québec, Canada, Opus 157

St. John’s Catholic Church, Fenton, Michigan

This new 44-stop organ, Opus 157 by Karl Wilhelm Inc., was made possible by the generosity of longtime parishioner Mrs. Alvesta Veness and the William Bowman and Ann McGuire estates, as well as other benefactors and contributors from the congregation and the community. The organ project was led by Rev. David W. Harvey with the assistance of several other parishioners. Dr. David Wagner performed the dedication recital.

The organ consists of four divisions: the Great is in the center above the impost, the Swell is right behind the Great and is enclosed in its own case, the Rückpositiv is in the gallery rail, and the Pedal is on either side of the main case. There are 3,017 pipes in this instrument. The metal façade pipes are 70% tin and 30% lead, metal flute pipes are 40% tin and 60% lead. Open pipes are cone tuned; stopped pipes have fixed caps. The temperament is Bach-Kellner A440. The playing action of the organ is direct mechanical (suspended tracker). There are two manual couplers and three pedal couplers. Manual/pedal compass is 56/30. The stop action is electric and offers a complete set of registration aids featuring 32 levels of solid-state memory. Two cuneiform bellows and one electric blower provide the winding.

— Karl Wilhelm Inc.

Facteurs d’Orgues-Organbuilders

Karl Wilhelm Opus 157

St. John’s Catholic Church

Fenton, Michigan

GREAT C–g’’’

16’ Bourdon

8’ Prinzipal

8’ Rohrflöte

8’ Flute Harmonique

4’ Oktave

4’ Spitzflöte

22⁄3’ Quinte

2’ Superoktave

8’ Cornet V (c’–d’’’)

11⁄3’ Mixtur IV

1’ Zimbel III

8’ Trompette

4’ Clairon


SWELL C–g’’’ (enclosed)

8’ Principal

8’ Gambe

8’ Celeste TC

8’ Hohlflöte

4’ Principal

4’ Flute Harmonique

2’ Waldflöte

22⁄3’ Cornet III (TF)

2’ Mixtur IV

16’ Basson

8’ Trompette

8’ Hautbois

Tremolo


RÜCKPOSITIV C–g’’’

8’ Prinzipal

8’ Gedackt

4’ Prinzipal

4’ Rohrflöte

22⁄3’ Nasard

2’ Doublette

13⁄5’ Terz

11⁄3’ Larigot

1’ Scharf IV

8’ Cromorne

Tremolo


PEDAL C–f’

16’ Prinzipal

16’ Subbass

8’ Prinzipal

8’ Bourdon

4’ Choralbass

22⁄3’ Rauschpfeife IV

16’ Posaune

8’ Trompete

4’ Clairon



Note:

Prinzipal 16’ in the Pedal: C–E, open 8’ wooden pipes and common with Subbass 16’; F–f’, 70% tin and located in the façade.

Prinzipal 8’ shares the first octave with the Prinzipal 16’ in the Pedal.

Prinzipal 8’ of the Positiv has common pipes from C–G# with Gedackt 8’.

Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, Lake City, Iowa

Calvary Lutheran Church, Brookfield, Wisconsin

Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, Lake City, Iowa, has completed its Op. 72 for Calvary Lutheran Church, Brookfield, Wisconsin. Despite the low ceiling height at the rear of the church, a balcony was a part of the original design of the building. As part of a renovation project, the congregation removed the balcony and resolved to place a mechanical action organ in a free-standing position on the main floor. The choir and handbells would then be arranged about the organ.

Even without the hindrance of the balcony, fitting an organ into the broadly V-shaped space proved a challenge. Many different plans were made, finally resulting in a design in which the Swell is located behind and above the choir seating, the Great is placed forward in a separate case and the Pedal is situated behind the Great. The console, placed in the Great case, is so located that the organist can direct the choir. In spite of its seemingly scattered arrangement, the mechanical design of the organ is quite straightforward and all parts are readily accessible for tuning and maintenance. The design of the curving white oak casework echoes the arcing lines of the ceiling, which rises toward the front of the sanctuary.

The tonal design of the organ is intended to inspire enthusiastic congregational singing and to accompany a wide variety of choral literature. The instrument is voiced on a wind pressure of 76 millimeters, which is supplied from a large, parallel-rise reservoir. Tuning is in equal temperament. Metal pipes are made of the usual alloys of tin and lead; all wood pipes are made of poplar and cherry. The key action is mechanical; an electric stop action and multi-level combination action are provided. Several Pedal stops are made available at two pitches through a system of mechanical duplexing.
Calvary was assisted in this project by John Behnke, organ consultant, and Scott Riedel, acoustical consultant. Suzanne and Steve Hibbard were director of music and organist, respectively, at the time of the organ’s construction. Bill Bravener is the current director of music.

—John Panning



Photo credit: Lynn Dobson


GREAT (58 notes)

16’ Bourdon

8’ Prestant

8’ Chimney Flute

4’ Octave

4’ Nachthorn

2’ Fifteenth

11⁄3’ Mixture IV

8’ Trumpet

Swell to Great


SWELL (58 notes, expressive)

8’ Gedackt

8’ Salicional

8’ Celeste FF

4’ Principal

4’ Traverse Flute

22⁄3’ Nazard

2’ Piccolo

13⁄5’ Tierce

11⁄3’ Quinte

8’ Oboe


PEDAL (32 notes)

16’ Subbass

16’ Bourdon (Gt)

8’ Principal

8’ Gedackt (ext)

4’ Choralbass (ext)

16’ Posaune

8’ Trumpet (ext)

Great to Pedal

Swell to Pedal



Tremulant

Zimbelstern

Karl Wilhelm, Inc., of Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada, has built a new organ for Paris-Yates Chapel at the University of Mississippi. The firm’s opus 152 is built on classical principles and is flexible enough to play a large and varied repertoire of solos and accompaniment. The builder was chosen early enough to collaborate with the architect on the tonal conception of the chapel. The new chapel features hard, reflective interior surfaces, yet with sufficient moldings and openings to avoid undue concentration of sound at focal points, and is in a classical basilica plan consisting of a high, narrow nave with side aisles.

The organ is located at the east end, and comprises 26 stops on two manuals and pedal: 32 ranks, 1,642 pipes. Manual/pedal key compass is 56/30; suspended mechanical key action, electric stop action; single-fold bellows with flexible winding. Principal pipes are 75% tin, flute pipes 28% tin. Open pipes are cone-tuned, stopped pipes with soldered caps. Natural keys are plated with bone, sharps of ebony. Casework is of solid white oak with moldings and gilded pipe shades. Temperament is after Vallotti.

—Karl Wilhelm

GREAT

16' Bourdon

8' Prinzipal

8' Rohrflöte

4' Oktave

4' Spitzflöte

22?3' Quinte

2' Superoktave

13?5' Terz

11?3' Mixtur IV

8' Trompete

Sw/Gt

SWELL

8' Salicional (FF)

8' Hohlflöte

8' Celeste (TC)

4' Prinzipal

4' Rohrflöte

2' Waldflöte

22?3' Sesquialtera II (TC)

11?3' Larigot

1' Scharf IV

16' Dulzian

8' Oboe

PEDAL

16' Subbass

8' Offenflöte

4' Choralbass

16' Posaune

8' Trompete (Gt)

Sw/Ped

Gt/Ped

J. F. Nordlie Co. Pipe Organ Builders
style='font-weight:normal'>, Sioux Falls, SD, has built a new organ, opus 27,
for Faith Lutheran Church, Prairie Village, KS. The contemporary architecture
of the church prompted a dramatic case design. Asymmetrical shapes in the room
suggested a balanced, angular silhouette. Disjunct ceiling planes necessitated
a single tower for the Pedal and a front/back arrangement for the Great/Swell.
The large painted case is softened by richly-hued light from the ceiling clerestory. Natural pipe lengths further enliven the facade, as do the contrasting metals of the front pipes. Placement high in the rear gallery is ideal for leading congregational song and supporting voices and instruments. The organ project spanned eight years of planning and fund-raising for the congregation. Mechanical key and coupler actions, solenoid motors control sliders and drawknobs; flexible winding via a Meidinger blower and multiple reservoirs; wind presssure 74mm manuals, 85mm pedal; casework of painted poplar and maple; keydesk, pipe shades, and other decorative elements made of oiled walnut; manual keys plated with ebony on cherry naturals, and polished bone on cocobolo sharps; pedal keys of oak, maple and walnut; drawknobs turned from cocobolo with engraved bone nameplates; metal pipes by A. Grunemann (Germany) and J. Stinkens (Netherlands); reeds by R. Killinger (Germany); wood pipes by Nordlie workshop; tuning (scroll & cone) after Vallotti's 18th-century well-tempered plan. Organist: Dr. O. Wayne Smith; consultant: Dr. Ted Stewart; dedication: September 24, 1995; 30 stops, 27 voices, 33 ranks, 1718 pipes. Couplers: Gt/P, Sw/P, Cont/P, Sw/Gt; tremulant to manual divisions; balanced Swell pedal and Register Crescendo; multi-level combination action; compass 56/30.

GREAT

                        16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>              Bourdon

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Prestant
(polished tin facade)

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Rohr
Flute

                        4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Octave

                        22/3'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>        Quint

                        2'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Octave

                        13/5'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>        Terz

                        11/3'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>        Mixture
IV-V

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Trumpet

SWELL

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Violin
Diapason

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Stopt
Diapason

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Celeste

                        4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Principal

                        4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Spire
Flute

                        2'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Gemshorn

                        1'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Mixture
III

                        16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>              Bassoon

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Oboe

CONTINUO

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Gedackt

                        4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Chimney
Flute

                        2'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Principal

                        11/3'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>        Quint

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Apfelregal

                                                Zimbelstern
(prep)

PEDAL

                        16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>              Prestant
(flamed copper facade)

                        16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>              Subbass

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Openbass
(ext)

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Flutebass
(ext)

                        4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Choralbass

                        16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>              Posaune

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Trumpet
(ext)

The Bedient Pipe Organ Co., Lincoln, NE, has built a new organ, opus 44, for St. Luke's Chapel at
the Medical University, Charleston, SC. The case is of white oak, pipe shades
of red gum; 12 stops, 15 ranks, 791 pipes; compass 58/30; mechanical key and
stop action. St. Luke's Chapel is a historic structure that was severely
damaged during hurricane Hugo. The several-times-rebuilt Hutchings and Votey
organ was destroyed during the storm. Consultant and dedication organist was
Dr. William Gudger.

GREAT

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Open
Diapason tc

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Chimney
Flute

                        4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Principal

                        22/3'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>        Twelfth

                        2'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Fifteenth

                                                Mixture
II-III

CHOIR

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Dulciana

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Stopped
Diapason

                        4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Recorder

                        2'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Piccolo

                        II
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                   Cornet

PEDAL

                        16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>              Bourdon

                                                Gt/Ped

                                                Ch/Ped

                                                Ch/Gt

                                                Tremulant

Visser Rowland Associates, Inc., Houston, TX, has built a new organ, opus 109, of 30
stops, for the Church of the Holy Spirit, San Antonio, TX. Pieter Visser
designed the organ and supervised its construction. Pascal Boissonet voiced the
organ. The case is built into a shallow chamber near the choir to the left of
the sanctuary. Facade pipes to the left are of the Pedal Prinzipal, and to the
right are of the Hauptwerk; the Schwellwerk is in the middle of the case, with
pipes shades designed and executed by Ron Williams. The anticipated Positiv
division will be above the Hauptwerk. Manual chests follow the company's
standard tierce layout; Pedal chest is in octave groups chromatically. The wind
system has one single rise weighted bellows with wooden wind trunks throughout.
The console is detached and reversed. The consultant was Fr. Vaughan Fayle,
O.M.I.

POSITIV (prep)

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Gedeckt

                        4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Kleinflöte

                        2'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Prinzipal

                        11/3'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>        Larigot

                        1'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Kleinmixtur
III

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Krummhorn

                                                MIDI

                                                Zimbelstern

HAUPTWERK

                        16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>              Quintaton

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Prinzipal

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Rohrflöte

                        4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Oktav

                        4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Nachthorn

                        2'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Waldflöte

                        22/3'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>        Sesquialtera
II

                        11/3'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>        Mixtur
IV

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Trompete

SCHWELLWERK

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Gemshorn

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Celeste

                        4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Prinzipal

                        4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Blockflöte

                        2'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Oktav

                        1'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Scharff
IV

                        16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>              Fagott

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Oboe

                                                Tremulant

PEDAL

                        16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>              Subbass

                        102/3'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>    Quinte

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Oktav

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Gedeckt

                        4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Choralbass

                        16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>              Posaune

                        8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'>                  Trompete

                                                MIDI
(prep)

Karl Wilhelm, Inc., Mont St-Hilaire, Quebec, has built a new
organ for St. Athanasius Church, Evanston, Illinois. The firm’s Opus 147
was built according to classical principles. Key action is mechanical, stop
action is electric with 32 levels of solid-state memory. Great and Swell
divisions are housed in the right case, Pedal division in the left case. The
two cases are made of solid white oak and designed to complement the front
altar. Pipe shades are carved from butternut wood. The tonal design mainly represents
the classic German and French traditions. Temperament is after Vallotti, which
yields five pure fifths. Façade pipes are of 75% polished tin. Other
metal pipes are of 32% tin and 68% hammered lead. The organ has two
wedge-shaped bellows, creating a flexible wind. Manual/pedal compass is 56/32;
25 stops, 1,600 pipes.

HAUPTWERK

16’           Bourdon

8’               Prinzipal

8’               Rohrflöte

4’               Oktave

4’               Spitzflöte

22/3’     Quinte

2’               Superoktave

13/5’     Terz

11/3’     Mixtur
IV

8’               Trompete

SCHWELLWERK

8’               Salicional

8’               Hohlflöte

8’               Celeste
TC

4’               Principal

4’               Rohrflöte

2’               Waldflöte

1’               Scharf
III

8’               Oboe

                        Tremolo

PEDAL

16’           Subbass

8’               Prinzipal

8’               Bourdon

4’               Choralbass

2’               Rauschpfeiffe
III

16’           Posaune

8’               Trompete

Cover Feature

Fenris Pipe
Organ, Kilkenny, Minnesota

Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church, Rochester, Minnesota

Project Scope

In the spring of 2002 we were contacted by Jeff Daehn, organ consultant for
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minnesota. The church was beginning
a project that encompassed doubling the size of the 1980s-era sanctuary, as
well as additional classroom and mechanical upgrades. Bids had come in somewhat
higher than anticipated, and consequently some project cutbacks were necessary.
Chief of these was all funding for the organ project.

For many years the church had been the home of Hinners Opus #537, I/9.
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> This had been somewhat undersized for
the room and certainly was not adequate for the remodeled space, which now
seats 350. The organ committee decided to part with their Hinners, which now
resides at Madonna Towers in Rochester, Minnesota. (For an account of Opus
#537's 100th birthday party see The Diapason, August 2003, page 3.)

We met with music director/organist Cynthia McLaren to discuss the
parameters of the project. The new instrument would be used primarily for
Sunday services, with some teaching also being done. This instrument would need
to be able to lead a congregation, be versatile, be reliable, aesthetically and
physically fit into a conceptualized space in the front of the sanctuary, and
be built on an erratic timeline determined by funding, or rather, lack thereof.

When we were awarded the contract in October 2002, the sanctuary addition
had just been completed. Load capacities had been accounted for, but the organ
chambers themselves remained unbuilt. The church requested that we segment the
project's construction to allow for fundraising on their part.

Phase I is complete and includes the Great and Pedal divisions, casework and
console. Phase II is the installation of the Swell division.

Leaving such a substantial part of the instrument incomplete is unusual. It
is common to find instruments still awaiting their prepared-for stops, even
though the instrument may have been installed generations ago. For this
scenario we felt a phased project was an option based upon two reasons. First,
the congregation was informed and educated enough to realize that without a
timely conclusion to the project, this would remain an acoustically incomplete
instrument. Second, Cynthia McLaren had been used to playing on a one-manual
instrument for years, and was comfortable continuing to do so in a temporary
capacity. The organ committee's demonstrated commitment to the project, along
with our willingness to work with a flexible construction timeline, allowed the
congregation to have a pipe organ. Without these mitigating factors, this
church would have been a likely candidate for a pipe organ simulator.

The Instrument

The instrument itself utilizes much of the pipework from a 1920s instrument,
including the wooden 16' Principal on façade. The 16' Principal is used
with the 16' Subbass for a 32' resultant. The Great Principal chorus is new,
and all pipework was either voiced or extensively revoiced. The 16' Principal
is on static wind, and the rest of the instrument is voiced on four inches of
wind pressure. Careful reuse of pipework resulted in a substantial savings in
total project dollars.

Windchests, bearers, racking, passageboards, reservoirs, casework and
console are all of new construction from our shop. Winding to 16' Principal in
the façade is supplied by a windtrunk designed and scaled to match note
B12. Notes B12-G32 are located on wind-chests placed in an "A"
arrangement on an elevated catwalk directly behind notes 1-11. Access to
catwalk and chambers is provided by means of a drop-down service ladder. Manual
keyboards are reused and of ivory, rebuilt and married to new keycheeks and keyslips.
Organ switching, blower and pedalboard are new. Casework and console are built
of red oak, stained to match church fixtures. Organ bench is overlength to
assist in teaching.

When designing the instrument, we felt it was important that some of the pipework
be visible to the congregation. We have found that instruments that are
entirely in chambers end up being considered as nothing more than giant
speakers by many parishioners. When the time comes to replace switching or
releather pneumatics, the instrument has not developed a visual identity within
the congregation. These instruments are more likely to be replaced by a pipe
organ simulator. Although important to be visible, it was equally important
that the organ's presence not overpower the space. No one is attending services
to worship the organ.

We painted the wooden 16' Principal to match the walls in the sanctuary.
They provide a textured, yet subordinate backdrop to the elevated cross. Mirror
image chromatic chests, elevated on either side of the chancel, draw the eyes
to the focal point of the space, again, the elevated cross.

Acoustic design is based upon historic tradition, with generous pipe
scaling. The instrument is not overloaded with screaming upperwork, but rather
provides a balanced pyramid of sound. Flute colors are available throughout the
instrument. Each manual division is also provided with mutations.

The room itself is a contemporary styled, geometrically interesting space.
It has a rather unusual shape, shallow and somewhat wide, with seating in
interlocking chairs radiating around the chancel area. Sound egress from the
chamber is via a massive expanse of grillecloth, directly behind the elevated
façade chests. Chambers are bright, with chests and pipework easily serviced.
Walls are taped and painted double 5/8? sheetrock to provide a reflective
surface.

This instrument is the result of sustained effort by music director/organist
Cynthia McLaren, chairman Bob Enger and the organ committee. Fenris
specification and voicing are by Bob Rayburn; design and cabinetwork by Wes
Remmey. Special thanks must be given to Roger Driessen, Barry Lund and Stuart
Ness for all of their efforts in the project.

--Wes Remmey

GREAT

16' Violone
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 49 pipes

8' Flauten
Principal 61
pipes

8' Principal
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 61
pipes

8' Viola
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 12
pipes

8' Rohr
Gedackt 61 pipes

8' Holtzgedackt
style='mso-tab-count:1'> (Swell)

4' Octave
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 61 pipes

4' Hohl
Flute 61
pipes

Sesquialtera
II (Swell)

2' Fifteenth
style='mso-tab-count:1'> (from
Great Mixture)

2' Flautino
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 12
pipes

2' Fourniture
IV 244
pipes

8' Trumpet
style='mso-tab-count:1'> (prepared
for)

Gt/Gt
4

Sw/Gt
16-8-4

Auto
Pedal

MIDI

SWELL

16' Lieblich
Gedackt 61
pipes

8' Holtzgedackt
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 12
pipes

8' Harmonic
Flute 49 pipes

8' Salicional
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 61
pipes

8' Vox
Celeste TC 49
pipes

4' Principal
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 61
pipes

4' Harmonic
Flute 12 pipes

22/3' Nazard
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 61 pipes

2' Octave
style='mso-tab-count:1'> (ext 4' Principal)

2' Flageolet
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 61
pipes

13/5' Tierce
TC 37
pipes

11/3' Larigot
style='mso-tab-count:1'> (ext Nazard)

16' Fagott
style='mso-tab-count:1'> (prepared for)

8' Oboe
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 61 pipes

4' Schalmei
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 12
pipes

Sw/Sw
16

Sw/Sw
4

Tremolo

MIDI

PEDAL

32' Acoustic
Bass (resultant)

16' Principal
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 32
pipes (open wood)

16' Subbass
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 12
pipes

16' Lieblich
Gedackt (Swell)

8' Octave
style='mso-tab-count:1'> (Great)

8' Viola
style='mso-tab-count:1'> (Great)

8' Gedackt
style='mso-tab-count:1'> (Swell)

4' Choral
Bass (Great)

4' Gedackt
style='mso-tab-count:1'> (Swell)

2' Octave
style='mso-tab-count:1'> (Great)

16' Fagott
style='mso-tab-count:1'> (prepared for)

8' Tromba
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 32
pipes

4' Clarion
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 12 pipes

4' Schalmei
style='mso-tab-count:1'> (Swell)

Gt/Ped

Sw/Ped

MIDI

Multi-level Memory

8 Generals Thumb
- Toe Piston

4 Great Divisionals Thumb
Piston

4 Swell Divisionals Thumb
Piston

Gt/Ped Reversible Thumb
Piston

Sw/Ped Reversible Thumb
Piston

Sforzando Thumb
Piston

Set Thumb Piston

CancelThumb Piston

Swell Shoe

Crescendo Shoe

Photo credit: T. C. Stanley Photography

Martin Ott Pipe Organ Company, St. Louis, Missouri, Opus 100

The Behrend
College, Penn State University-Erie

Opus 100 is a wonderful milestone for an organ builder to reach. We had
hoped that our commission for Opus 100 would be a special instrument. When The
Behrend College at Penn State University-Erie contacted us for a bid, we
immediately realized this would be a special situation. Larry and Kathryn Smith
had provided funding for a chapel. The chapel already housed a 48-bell
carillon, a gift of Mr. Smith's parents, the late Floyd and Juanita Smith. Now
the Smiths wanted to commission an organ in honor of their children, Colleen
and Kevin. The picturesque setting of the brick chapel and carillon would be an
excellent location for organ and choral music. This chapel would be a place of
spiritual retreat and renewal for the university community. The organ would
have an important role in this purpose.

To complement the clean, traditional architecture of the chapel, we chose a
simple yet dramatic organ design. The oak case and location of the organ
suggests intimacy and warmth. Visually the organ soars to the rafters,
suggesting transcendence. Time-tested methods of construction, such as mortise
and tenon joinery, were used so that the instrument will last for many
generations. Current technologies, such as solid-state combination action, give
the organ versatility. The suspended mechanical action of the instrument allows
the organist careful control of pipe speech. This also places responsibility on
the organist to be precise in articulation. A good organ should inspire the
organist to reach for new musical heights.

The organ stands twenty-five feet high. It comprises 23 ranks, 21 stops, and
more than 1,200 pipes. Manual key compass is 56 notes. The natural keys are
made of grenadil wood, and the sharp keys are of grenadil covered by cow bone.
The pedal keyboards have 30 notes and are made of oak.

Over more than three decades, Martin Ott and his company have been
developing their own style of tonal eclecticism. The tonal design for Opus 100
is an excellent example of the Ott style. The size of the chapel dictated an
instrument of modest size. In this situation, there is no room for waste in the
stoplist. Plenums are possible on both Schwellwerk and Hauptwerk. The IV-rank
mixture on the Hauptwerk is a full, robust addition to the principal chorus.
The clarity and beauty of the 8' stops allows them to be used as solo voices in
chorale and hymn preludes. The organ also includes a simple Krummhorn. This
reed stop is more versatile than an Oboe. When used alone, it is appropriate
for Baroque music or a solo voice in a 20th-century work. When paired with the
8' Viola, its character will sound more Romantic. The pedal's Posaune is robust
but can still be used in lighter textures without overpowering the manuals.

In the signature Ott style, the organ is voiced to be clear and strong
without overpowering the listener. The clear, cohesive tonal design supports
congregational singing, service playing, chamber music, and solo organ
literature. The vast majority of organ literature can be played on this 21-stop
instrument.

The finished organ was first played for donors Larry and Kathryn Smith and
the Behrend College Council of Fellows. For this private demonstration, Karen
Keene, lecturer in organ at Penn State-Behrend, ably assisted us as the
organist. In Mr. Ott's absence, Dennis Unks, a long-time friend and colleague,
explained the construction and tonal layout of the organ. The community had the
opportunity to experience the versatility and beauty of this organ at the
dedication recital by Larry Smith, Organ Department Chair at Indiana
University-Bloomington. Dr. Smith played works by J. S. Bach, Gardner Read,
Gaston Litaize, Paul Hindemith, Darius Milhaud, and Joseph Jongen. The varied
program testifies to the instrument's capabilities.

We are pleased and honored to have our Opus 100 in such a beautiful
environment. Opus 100 is a
summation of the Ott style and a continuation of our artistic growth.

The following craftsmen participated in the building of opus 100:

Alexander I. Bronitsky

James Cullen

William Dunnaway

Eileen M. Gay

Marya J. Fancey

Donna Hodges

Alex D. Leshchenko

Earl C. Naylor

Martin Ott

Sascha Ott

Jeffrey Spitler

--Marya Orlowska-Fancey

.

HAUPTWERK

8' Prinzipal
75%
tin

8' Rohrflöte
40%
tin

4' Oktave
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 75% tin

II Sesquialter
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 40%
tin

2' Nachthorn
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 40%
tin

IV Mixtur
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 75% tin

8' Trompete
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 75%
tin

Tremulant

SCHWELLWERK

8' Viola
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 75%
tin

8' Viola
Celeste (TC)75% tin

8' Bordun
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 30% tin

4' Prinzipal
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 60%
tin

4' Blockflöte
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 40%
tin

2' Oktave
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 75% tin

11/3' Quinte
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 40% tin

8' Krummhorn
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 75%
tin

PEDAL

16' Subbass
style='mso-tab-count:1'> oak

8' Oktavbass
style='mso-tab-count:1'> 75%
tin

8' Pommer
(18 pipes) 40%
tin

4' About the Author </p>