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New Organs

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Karl Wilhelm Inc., Mont St. Hilaire, Québec, Canada, Opus 155

St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Berea, Ohio

The new organ at St. Thomas Episcopal Church is built according to classical principles. Key and stop action are mechanical. The organ consists of three divisions: the Great, above the impost, the Swell, enclosed in its own case behind the main organ, and the Pedal, with the Great except for the Subbass 16' and Posaune 16', which are of poplar wood and are on both sides behind. There are 21 stops and a total of 1156 pipes. Natural keys are plated with cow bone; sharps are ebony.

The organ is located in front of the stained glass window, where the sound projects along the central axis of the church. The casework is made of solid white oak, compatible to this modern church. The pipe shades above the pipes are motifs taken from the stained glass window, thus providing an acoustical function as well as enhancing the visual appearance of the organ.

In order to achieve a satisfying tonal ensemble, various stops have been chosen from different schools of organ building. The St. Thomas Episcopal Church organ mainly represents the classic German and French orientation with its principal choruses, flutes, strings, and reed stops. The brilliant sound of the instrument can be attributed in part to the temperament after Vallotti, which yields six pure fifths. The metal façade pipes are 75% pure polished tin. Other metal pipes in the organ are an alloy of 40% tin and 60% lead. This instrument has one wedge-shaped bellows and a winding configuration that creates a flexible wind effect.

— Karl Wilhelm Inc.

Facteurs d’Orgues-Organbuilders

Karl Wilhelm Opus 155

St. Thomas Episcopal Church

Berea, Ohio

GREAT (C–g¢¢¢ 56 notes)

16' Bourdon

8' Principal

8' Rohrflöte

4' Octave

22⁄3' Quinte

2' Superoktave

13/5' Terz

11/3' Mixtur IV

8' Trompete

SWELL (C–g''' 56 notes)

8' Salicional

8' Celeste TC

8' Hohlflöte

4' Spitzflöte

2' Doublette

11/3' Larigot

8' Oboe

Tremolo

PEDAL (C–f' 30 notes)

16' Subbass

8' Offenflöte

4' Choralbass

16' Posaune

8' Trompete (Great)



One manual coupler and two pedal couplers

Zimbelstern with 8 bronze bells

Levsen Organ Company,

Buffalo, Iowa

St. Peter Lutheran Church, Denver, Iowa

In 1902, Carl Schmidt donated a piece of land in the center of Denver, Iowa, to what is now St. Peter Lutheran Church. Denver is a little town of about 1700 residents north of Waterloo, Iowa, where the church now stands. By 1912, the predominantly Swedish congregation recognized the need for a pipe organ to enhance their musical worship. They purchased a 5-rank Hinners tracker organ from Pekin, Illinois. This information was disclosed by the Hinners Opus List created by E. A. Broadway in 1962. The organ was rebuilt with new electric action in 1954 by the Wicks Company of Highland, Illinois, and three ranks were added at that time. By the late 1980s, the organ developed serious problems with the relay; therefore, an organ committee was formed to explore their options.

Church member Marvin Schumacher, although not on the committee, made an important suggestion when the decision to go ahead and rebuild the organ had been made. As the owner of the Schumacher Elevator Company and builder of passenger, freight, and other elevators, he understood the need for safety and reliability. He proposed that a digital relay would be most appropriate. As his company’s website says, “Schumacher components are built to last,” and with that idea, the Levsen Organ Company of Buffalo, Iowa, which had serviced the instrument since around 1970, was awarded the contract to rebuild and enlarge the organ using a digital relay system.

Levsen Organ Company expanded the romantic instrument to include a 2' Fifteenth, III Mixture, 8' Trompette, 4' Gemshorn in the Swell and a 22⁄3' Nazard in order to provide more colorful ensembles. The church opted to keep all the organ pipes in the chamber rather than expose them. The entire 15 ranks are now under expression and are successful in leading the congregation in hymn singing and worship.

Organist August Knoll of Wheatland, Iowa had served as a consultant with proposals for enlarging and making these changes, and performed the dedication service.

—Tamara Fudge, D.Mus.

Moline, Illinois


GREAT

8' Open Diapason

8' Melodia

8' Dulciana

4' Octave

4' Concert Flute (12 pipes)

2' Fifteenth

III Mixture

8' Trompette (Sw)


SWELL

8' Stopped Diapason

8' Salicional

8' Vox Angelica (TC)

4' Gemshorn

22⁄3' Nazard

2' Gemshorn (12 pipes)
16' Fagott (TC, ext)

8' Trompette

4' Oboe

Tremolo


PEDAL

32' Resultant (32 notes)

16' Bourdon

16' Lieblich Gedeckt (12 pipes)

8' Open Diapason (Gt)

8' Bassflöte (12 pipes)

4' Choralbass (Gt)

16' Trompette (12 pipes)

8' Trompette (Sw)

4' Oboe (Sw)

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New Organs

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Johnson Organ Company, Inc., Fargo, North Dakota

Voorhees Recital Hall, Jamestown College, Jamestown, North Dakota

This is the third pipe organ for Voorhees Recital Hall. The first was a small tracker (builder unknown), and the second was a three-manual Hillgreen-Lane from ca. 1956. The college has long had an active organ department, which included Susan Hegberg, William Kuhlman, and Davis Folkerts among its instructors.

The musical arts have always played an important role at the college, an affiliate of the Presbyterian Church. Negotiations for this instrument, which uses several revoiced Hillgreen-Lane stops, began in 1998 when it was learned that there would be a significant gift from the estate of the late William Schlossman, who built the West Acres Shopping Center in Fargo. Before the hall received its organ, a major renovation and upgrade took place, which included the removal of heavy curtains on the stage. Stained glass windows were restored, and the acoustics greatly improved.

The new organ consists of 30 stops and 40 ranks fully encased across the balcony. The manual chests are all Johnson-made slider, with electro-pneumatic unit chests. The manual divisions have schwimmer regulators. The console is of red oak with Carpathian elm burl, Johnson-made rosewood keys and pedalboard. The stop knobs are of grenadilla. The oak case has gold highlights with a basket weave screen of Chinese red. Installation was done by Lance E. Johnson and his crew from the Fargo shop. Tonal finishing was by James Gruber and Johnson voicer Mike Johnson.

The inaugural recital was played by college organ instructor William Wojnar. At the recital, Anna-Jane Schlossman, widow of William Schlossman, was recognized for her generous gift.

—Lance E. Johnson

GREAT

16' Quintaton

8' Open Diapason

8' Spitzflute

4' Octave

4' Bourdon

22⁄3' Twelfth

2' Fifteenth

V Mixture

8' Trumpet

SWELL

8' Flûte Bouchée

8' Viol d’Gamba

8' Viol Celeste TC

4' Prestant

4' Flûte à Fuseau

22⁄3' Nazard

2' Flûte Conique

13⁄5' Tierce

III Plein Jeu

16' Basson TC (ext)

8' Trompette

8' Hautbois

4' Clarion (ext)

Tremulant

POSITIV

8' Holzgedackt

4' Gemshorn

4' Rohrflote

2' Principal

11⁄3' Quinte

III Cymbal

8' Krummhorn

PEDAL

32' Untersatz (derived)

16' Principal

16' Bourdon

16' Quintaton (Gt)

8' Principal (ext)

8' Flauto Dolce (ext)

4' Choralbass (ext)

III Mixture

16' Trombone (ext, Gt)

8' Trompette (Sw)

4' Clarion (Sw)

Levsen Organ Company, Buffalo, Iowa

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Atlanta, Georgia

Some have called St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Atlanta, Georgia, the “Cathedral on Peyton Road.” Newcomers may not realize the creation of its pipe organ is fully intertwined with the building’s history.
The congregation, in existence for well over a century, is the second largest Episcopal church in the United States with a historically African-American congregation. At one time worshiping above a drugstore, the burgeoning membership knew the importance of planning, so a first-phase structure was built. It would become a fellowship hall once a new sanctuary was created. A bequest of $133,000 from the estate of the late Mrs. Alva Evans launched the project.

Music has always been important to this church. Organist/choirmaster Dr. Calvin Grimes, also on staff at Morehouse College, knew the little 50-year-old pipe organ would not be able to fill a larger sanctuary, so he steered the church toward building a new pipe organ. Shortly after, Levsen Organ Company of Buffalo, Iowa, received a business reply card from St. Paul’s in response to a bulk mailing sent to the Atlanta area. They were chosen to build the new organ. The sanctuary was to be designed by architects Stanley, Love-Stanley, PC, with continuous input from Levsen Organ Company.

It was decided that the room’s aesthetic and acoustic design would fully integrate the organ, which would be set to the left of the altar to allow for greater movement of congregants in the front. The organ would have 22 ranks and MIDI interface. Hard plaster walls along with ceiling and quarry tiles on the floor would aid the acoustics. An array of large windows directly behind the altar would allow those in attendance to see the dense green woods outside, with the circular platforms of the pulpit, organ console, and altar representing the Holy Trinity.

But it wasn’t to be that easy. Funding problems caused the organ to sit in Buffalo for nearly two years before its installation. Once the instrument was in place, the first notes played in front of several dozen members caused some tears of joy and relief. Although utilizing the American Classic tonal design, the unusually good acoustics allowed for some deviations from standard voicing procedures that were received with wide approval.

Frank Allan, Bishop of Atlanta, was present at the dedication, symbolically pounding the door with his staff to herald the entrance of the Reverend Edward Warner’s congregation. Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell, local legislators, the architect, builders, and Rodney Levsen were also present.

Trey Clegg, current organist/choirmaster, said although there are only 22 ranks, the acoustics make it sound more like 60. The church presents a regular organ concert series and has five adult choirs, a teen choir, and two children’s choirs, all of which are beautifully supported by this instrument.

—Tamara Fudge, D.Mus.

Moline, Illinois


GREAT

8' Principal

8' Holzgedeckt

8' Dolcan

8' Erzähler Céleste (Swell)

4' Koppelflöte

2' Fifteenth

IV Mixture

8' Trompette (Swell)

SWELL

8' Rohrflöte

8' Erzähler

8' Erzähler Céleste

4' Gemshorn

4' Rohrflöte (ext)

22⁄3 Nazard

2' Blockflöte

13⁄5' Tierce

III Mixture (prep)

8' Trompette

4' Oboe

Tremolo

PEDAL

16' Subbass

16' Lieblich Gedeckt (softwind)

102⁄3' Quintbass (32 notes)

8' Principal

8' Pommer (ext)

4' Choralbass

16' Trompette (ext)

8' Trompette (Swell)

4' Oboe (Swell)

New Organs

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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

New Organs

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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

New Organs

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Wicks Organ Company,
Highland, Illinois
Bethel Lutheran Church,
Rochester, Minnesota

On a pleasant evening in July 2007, five members of Bethel Lutheran Church climbed into a van for a trip to Highland, Illinois. It was the next step in a process that had been going on for years. We had a dream: ever since our new worship space was being designed, we dreamed of filling it with music. Now the Wicks Organ Company—currently building their 6400th organ—had a unique proposal for us. In 1964 Wicks had built their 4400th instrument for themselves, to showcase their work to prospective customers. They had built a climate-controlled room for it, and maintained and updated it ever since.
In Highland we met with representatives of Wicks who told us about their company and Opus 4400. We listened as Dale Mundahl, our principal organist, sat down at the console. We heard the beautiful tones and the awe-inspiring low notes that our temporary organ could not produce. We delighted in the variety of different tone colors available; quintessential pipe organ, sweet strings, melancholy flutes, vibrant reeds, stirring brass and majestic festival trumpets, even a set of chimes. It sounded fantastic and looked stunning.
So what was the unique opportunity? Well, this instrument had a list of pipes very similar to that of our hoped-for ideal, with all the features we had dreamed of—and this meticulously maintained and updated organ, with a replacement value of $1.2 million, was being offered to Bethel for less than half of that. In January 2008 the people of Bethel approved a proposal to purchase it.
Then came the day when our new instrument was delivered. Twenty-five members of Bethel joined the Wicks staff in unloading the two trucks. Three hours later our narthex and several other areas were covered with all the pieces that make up Opus 4400—what an interesting, informative, and enjoyable labor of love. Throughout the installation process we were impressed with the willingness of the Wicks personnel to include us and answer questions.
After a process of tonal finishing and final adjustments, the space above our choir has been filled with a magnificent instrument that will be a blessing to our worship for present and future generations of Bethel—well worth an extended road trip in a rented van.
—Gary G. Thorn
Minister of Music & Worship

GREAT (unenclosed)
16′ Quintaton 61 pipes
8′ Prinzipal 61 pipes
8′ Gedeckt 61 pipes
4′ Prestant 61 pipes
4′ Waldflöte 61 pipes
2′ Oktave 61 pipes
II Tertian 122 pipes
III Mixtur 183 pipes
8′ Trompette en Chamade 61 pipes
8′ Krummhorn Pos
Chimes

SWELL (enclosed)
8′ Rohrflöte 61 pipes
8′ Salicional 61 pipes
8′ Voix Celeste TC 49 pipes
4′ Spitz Prinzipal 61 pipes
4′ Koppelflöte 61 pipes
22⁄3′ Nazard 61 pipes
2′ Hohlflöte 61 pipes
1′ Flautino 61 pipes
III Scharff 183 pipes
16′ Posaune 12 pipes
16′ Bassoon 61 pipes
8′ Trumpet 61 pipes
8′ Oboe digital
4′ Rohrschalmei 61 pipes
Tremolo

CHOIR (enclosed)
8′ Geigen Principal 61 pipes
8′ Gemshorn 61 pipes
8′ Erzähler 61 pipes
8′ Erzähler Celeste TC 49 pipes
8′ Viole 61 pipes
8′ Viole Celeste 61 pipes
4′ Gemshorn 12 pipes
2′ Harmonic Flute 61 pipes
II Rauschpfeife 122 pipes
8′ Clarinet 61 pipes
4′ Hautbois 61 pipes
8′ Trompette en Chamade Gt
Tremolo

POSITIV (unenclosed)
8′ Holzgedeckt 61 pipes
4′ Spillpfeife 61 pipes
2′ Flachflöte 61 pipes
11⁄3′ Quint 61 pipes
1′ Nachthorn 61 pipes
II Sesquialtera 110 pipes
III Klingende Cymbel 183 pipes
16′ Krummhorn 61 pipes
8′ Holzregal 61 pipes
Cymbelstern

PEDAL (unenclosed)
32′ Bordun digital
32′ Violone digital
16′ Kontra Bass 32 pipes
16′ Bordun 32 pipes
16′ Quintaton Gt
8′ Prinzipalbass 32 pipes
8′ Gedeckt 32 pipes
8′ Gemshorn Ch
4′ Choralbass 32 pipes
4′ Copula 12 pipes
2′ Oktavbass 12 pipes
III Mixture 96 pipes
32′ Contra Bombarde digital
32′ Sordun 32 pipes
16′ Bombarde 32 pipes
16′ Posaune Sw
16′ Bassoon Sw
8′ Trumpet 12 pipes
4′ Cromorne Pos
8′ Trompette en Chamade Gt
Chimes

65 stops, 59 ranks

=========================

Nichols & Simpson, Inc., Organbuilders, Little Rock, Arkansas
West Side Presbyterian Church, Ridgewood, New Jersey

The journey towards a Nichols & Simpson pipe organ for West Side Presbyterian Church began in 1999, when a contract was signed for an instrument to replace the church’s Austin organ, reusing many pipes from the existing instrument. On January 8, 2002, the church was totally destroyed by fire. In the ensuing months, friends and fans of West Side Presbyterian watched in amazement as this courageous and faith-filled congregation made the decision to rebuild. Nichols & Simpson, Inc. was chosen to build the pipe organ for the new worship space.
The West Side Presbyterian organ is unique in many ways. Its striking visual appearance was designed by the church’s architect, Herbert S. Newman and Partners, PC, and the unusual cylindrical case pipes were constructed by A. R. Schopp’s Sons, Inc. The case was designed by Frank Friemel and executed by QLF Custom Pipe Organ Components, LLC. The chest actions are electric-slider with pneumatic-cylinder stop actions and electro-pneumatic/electro-mechanical actions for unit and duplexed stops. The swell boxes are two inches thick, with hollow shades featuring sound-trap joint construction. Shade movement is controlled by 12-stage pneumatic-cylinder whiffletree swell engines.
The moveable console is constructed of mahogany finished to match the interior of the church, and features an interior of burl eucalyptus, bone natural keys with rosewood sharp keys, rosewood expression and crescendo shoes, rosewood drawknobs with bone faces, rosewood thumb pistons with bone faces, and bone tilting tablets to operate the intermanual couplers. The organ utilizes a Peterson ICS 4000 control system and incorporates 256 levels of memory.
The instrument was dedicated on Sunday, October 9, 2007, during a recital by Dr. Catherine Rodland, daughter of Joanne Rodland, the church’s director of music, and the late John Rodland.
—C. Joseph Nichols
Photo credit: David C. Scribner

Nichols & Simpson, Inc.,
West Side Presbyterian Church,
Ridgewood, New Jersey
48 stops, 59 ranks

GREAT
16′ Double Geigen
8′ Principal
8′ Geigen (extension)
8′ Harmonic Flute (expressive)
8′ Bourdon (expressive)
8′ Gamba (expressive)
4′ Octave
4′ Nachthorn (expressive)
22⁄3′ Twelfth
2′ Fifteenth
13⁄5′ Seventeenth
IV–V Fourniture
8′ Harmonic Trumpet (expressive)
8′ Cromorne (expressive, preparation)
4+8′ Clairon (expressive)
Tremolo
8′ Tuba (expressive)
Chimes

SWELL
16′ Bourdon
8′ Diapason
8′ Chimney Flute
8′ Salicional
8′ Voix Celeste
8′ Flauto Dolce
8′ Flute Celeste GG
4′ Principal
4′ Flute Octaviante
22⁄3′ Nasard
2′ Octavin
13⁄5′ Tierce
11⁄3′ Larigot
IV–V Plein Jeu
16′ Double Trumpet
8′ Trompette
8′ Hautbois
8′ Vox Humana
4+8′ Clarion
Tremolo
8′ Tuba (Great)

CHOIR
16′ Erzahler (extension, preparation)
8′ Geigen Diapason
8′ Bourdon
8′ Erzahler
8′ Erzahler Celeste GG
4′ Octave
4′ Koppelflote
2′ Flautino
IV Mixture
8′ English Horn
8′ Clarinet
Tremolo
8′ Tuba (Great)
Cymbelstern
16′ Trombone (Pedal)
8′ Tromba (Pedal)
4′ Tromba Clarion (Pedal)

ANTIPHONAL
8′ Principal (console preparation)
8′ Gedeckt (console preparation)
4′ Octave (console preparation)
8′ Trompette (console preparation)

ANTIPHONAL PEDAL
16′ Gedeckt (console preparation)

PEDAL
32′ Contra Bourdon (extension)
16′ Open Wood
16′ Subbass
16′ Double Geigen (Great)
16′ Bourdon (Swell)
16′ Erzahler (Choir)
8′ Gross Flute (extension Open Wood)
8′ Octave
8′ Geigen (Great)
8′ Gross Bourdon (extension Subbass)
8′ Bourdon (Swell)
8′ Erzahler (Choir)
4′ Choral Bass
4′ Gross Flute (extension Open Wood)
IV Mixture (preparation)
32′ Ophicleide (extension)
16′ Trombone
16′ Double Trumpet (Swell)
8′ Trumpet
8′ Tuba (Great)
4′ Clarion (extension Trumpet 8′)
Chimes

New Organs

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Wicks Organ Company,
Highland, Illinois
All Saints Catholic Church,
Manassas, Virginia

All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas, Virginia, is privileged and blessed to have a new church building and a newly renovated pipe organ. Approximately thirteen years ago, our original Opus 6376 was purchased by All Saints from the Wicks Organ Company of Highland, Illinois, with the intention of one day moving it into a new church. The organ is a “hybrid” instrument, comprising pipework and digital voices. The pipework and console were built by Wicks, and the digital voices are a product of the Walker Technical Company of Zionsville, Pennsylvania.
During the design period for our new church, every attempt was made to ensure that we retained as much of the current organ as possible. In the fall of 2008, All Saints entered into a contract with the Wicks Organ Company for a redesign and expansion of the current instrument for the new church. All of the pipework in the previous organ was retained. The console was renovated and enlarged. Because the wood case of the original organ did not match the woodwork of the new church and did not fit into the new space, two new identical pipe towers were built (matching the wood stain of the altar area) to fit into the space on either side of the new altar. These towers contain the revoiced pipework, ten additional ranks of pipes, upgraded digital voices, and an array of new digital voices.
The enlarged stoplist features a wide range of voices in different tonal colors that are used to accompany the choir and the congregation, as well as to play solo organ literature. Full MIDI features, solid-state memory, and a playback system are also included. Mounted high above the baptismal font on the back wall of the sanctuary is a horizontal Fanfare Trumpet. Additionally, the bell tower carillon, by the Verdin Bell Company, is also controlled from the organ console.
The renovated organ was delivered by Wicks in July 2010, and it was completely installed in time for the dedication Mass on August 14. This updated and expanded version of our organ gloriously adorns the liturgical life of our vibrant parish community.
In addition to the rebuilt main organ, a Wicks digital organ was acquired by All Saints. The two-manual organ was installed in our Blessed Sacrament Chapel, where it is used for smaller liturgies.
—William H. Atwood
Director of Music, and Coordinator of Liturgical Ministries
All Saints Catholic Church
Manassas, Virginia

GREAT
16′ Violone* (D)
8′ Open Diapason 61 pipes
8′ Hohlflöte 61 pipes
8′ Gemshorn* (D)
8′ Bourdon* 61 pipes
4′ Octave 61 pipes
4′ Spillpfeife* 61 pipes
22⁄3′ Octave Quinte* 61 pipes
2′ Super Octave* 61 pipes
IV Fourniture 244 pipes
8′ Trumpet 61 pipes
(formerly in Swell)
8′ Tuba Mirabilis* (D)
8′ Fanfare Trumpet* 61 pipes
Tremolo
Chimes* (D)
Harp* (Ch) (D)
Cymbelstern 9 bells
Carillon (existing)
MIDI

SWELL
16′ Rohrbourdon* (1–12 D)
8′ Geigen Diapason* 61 pipes
8′ Rohrflöte 61 pipes
8′ Viole de Gambe 49 pipes
(1–12 D*)
8′ Voix Celeste TC 49 pipes
4′ Principal 61 pipes
4′ Flauto Cantabile* 61 pipes
4′ Violina*
4′ Voix Celeste*
22⁄3′ Nazard (1–12 D*) 49 pipes
2′ Octavin* 61 pipes
2′ Flageolet* (50–61 D)
13⁄5′ Tierce TC 49 pipes
V Plein Jeu* (D)
16′ Contra Fagotto* (D)
8′ Trompette* (D)
8′ Oboe* (D)
8′ Vox Humana* (D)
4′ Clarion* (D)
8′ Fanfare Trumpet (Gt)
Tremolo
MIDI

CHOIR
8′ English Diapason* (D)
8′ Harmonic Flute* (D)
8′ Viola* (D)
8′ Erzähler* (D)
8′ Erzähler Celeste* (D)
4′ Lieblichflöte* (D)
4′ Gemshorn* (D)
2′ Piccolo* (D)
11⁄3′ Quinte (D)
III Mixture* (D)
8′ Cornopean* (D)
8′ French Horn* (D)
8′ English Horn* (D)
8′ Clarinet* (D)
8′ Fanfare Trumpet (Gt)
Tremolo
Chimes
Harp* (D)
MIDI

ANTIPHONAL
8′ Open Diapason* (D)
8′ Chimney Flute* (D)
8′ Flute Celeste II* (D)
4′ Octave* (D)
4′ Flauto Traverso* (D)
2′ Gemshorn* (D)
III Mixture* (D)
Tremolo*
16′ Antiphonal Pedal Subbass* (D)
8′ Antiphonal Pedal Flute* (D)

PEDAL
32′ Contra Violone (D)
16′ Open Diapason (D)
16′ Violone* (Gt) (D)
16′ Bourdon (D)
16′ Rohrbourdon* (Sw) (1–12 D)
8′ Octave (D)
8′ Bassflute* (D)
8′ Gemshorn* (Gt) (D)
8′ Rohrflöte* (Sw)
4′ Choral Bass (D)
4′ Kleinflöte* (Sw)
III Mixture* (D)
32′ Double Fagotto* (D)
16′ Trombone* (D)
16′ Contra Fagotto* (Sw) (D)
8′ Trumpet* (Gt)
8′ Fagotto* (Sw) (D)
4′ Clarion* (Sw) (D)
8′ Tuba Mirabilis* (Gt) (D)
8′ Fanfare Trumpet (Gt)
MIDI
* = New
D = digital voice

83 stops, including six percussions,
22 pipe ranks, 42 digital voices

===========================================================================

Lewis & Hitchcock,
Beltsville, Maryland
Christ Ascension Episcopal Church, Richmond, Virginia

Christ Ascension Episcopal Church of Richmond, Virginia, has a 1978 Schantz organ. Organist/choirmaster Ed Schutt wanted the organ to be made as flexible as possible. There was a desire for several additions, and there was no space for them in the organ chamber, which is directly behind the altar and speaks clearly down the length of the reverberant nave. Lewis & Hitchcock worked out a plan to use the unit stops as much as possible, and then fill out what was missing with digital stops from the Walker Technical firm.
The console now has a full complement of pistons and toe studs, and a multiple-memory combination action. The multiplex relay system allows the unit stops to play on all divisions. The result is a reliable, flexible instrument that can easily provide the right sound for the music.
—Gerald L. Piercey

GREAT
16′ Rohr Gedeckt (Sw)
8′ Principal 61 pipes
8′ Bourdon (Ped Bourdon/Sw Röhrfl)
8′ Gedeckt 61 pipes
4′ Octave 61 pipes
4′ Koppelflöte 61 pipes
2′ Waldflöte 61 pipes
IV Fourniture 244 pipes
16′ Contre Trompette (Sw)
8′ Trompette (Sw)
Great to Great 16-UO-4
Swell to Great 16-8-4
Positiv to Great 16-8-4
8′ Festival Trumpet (Walker digital)

SWELL
16′ Rohr Gedeckt (ext)
8′ Rohrflöte 61 pipes
8′ Viole 61 pipes
8′ Viole Celeste TC 49 pipes
4′ Spitz Principal 61 pipes
4′ Hohlflöte 61 pipes
22⁄3′ Nazard 61 pipes
2 Blockflöte (ext 4′ Hohlflöte) 12 pipes
13⁄5′ Tierce 61 pipes
III Scharff 183 pipes
16′ Contre Trompette (ext)
16′ Bassoon 61 pipes
8′ Trompette 61 pipes
Tremolo
Swell to Swell 16-UO-4
8′ Festival Trumpet (Gt)

POSITIV
16′ Rohr Gedeckt (Sw)
8′ Rohrflöte (Sw)
8′ Nason Gedeckt 61 pipes
8′ Gemshorn 61 pipes
8′ Gemshorn Celeste TC 49 pipes
4′ Nachthorn 61 pipes
2′ Principal 61 pipes
11⁄3′ Larigot 61 pipes
III Zimbel 183 pipes
16′ Contre Trompette (Sw)
8′ Trompette (Sw)
8′ Krummhorn 61 pipes
Tremolo
Positiv to Positiv 16-UO-4
Swell to Positiv 16-8-4
8′ Festival Trumpet (Gt)

PEDAL
32′ Untersatz (Walker digital)
16′ Principal 32 pipes
16′ Bourdon 32 pipes
16′ Rohr Gedeckt (Sw) 12 pipes
8′ Octave (ext) 12 pipes
8′ Bourdon (ext) 12 pipes
8′ Rohrflöte (Sw)
4′ Choral Bass 32 pipes
4′ Bourdon (ext) 12 pipes
2′ Choral Bass (ext) 12 pipes
22⁄3′ Mixture III (Walker digital)
32′ Bombarde (Walker digital)
16′ Contre Trompette (Sw) 12 pipes
8′ Trompette (Sw)
4′ Clarion (Sw)
Great to Pedal 8-4
Swell to Pedal 8-4
Positiv to Pedal 8-4
8′ Festival Trumpet (Gt)

27 registers, 34 ranks, 4 Walker digital voices

New Organs

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Marceau & Associates Pipe Organ Builders, Inc., Seattle, Washington
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Stanwood, Washington
Opus 27, 2009

Marceau & Associates Pipe Organ Builders has completed their Opus 27 project at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Stanwood, Washington. The original instrument was built by Balcom & Vaughan Organ Builders of Seattle as their Opus 735, completed in 1968 for the First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, Washington. This organ served as the primary musical resource for the Bellevue congregation until 1995, when a new sanctuary was built that included a new Casavant Frères pipe organ. At that time, the original sanctuary became the chapel, providing services on a smaller scale. In 2008, the chapel and adjoining buildings were slated for demolition to expand the current church campus. This news was brought to the attention of the organ committee of Our Saviour’s Lutheran, who decided to purchase this organ instead of rebuilding and enlarging their existing Kimball/Balcom & Vaughan instrument.
In May 2008, with the help of volunteers from Our Saviour’s, the organ was removed and transported to the Marceau organ shop in Seattle. From June to September, the organ was repaired, modified and redesigned to fit into the two organ chambers in Stanwood. The winding system was reduced to eliminate redundant reservoirs, a new electrical system by the Syndyne Corporation of Vancouver, Washington was installed, and all pipes were cleaned and revoiced for a more musical result. During the fall, the organ was installed and finished. It was used for the first time on Thanksgiving.
Since the original organ had no visible pipework, a new façade was designed with members of the church fabricating all of the casework. New polished zinc pipes from A. R. Schopp’s Sons of Canton, Ohio were installed in January 2009. The organ contains 21 stops, 26 ranks and 1,572 pipes, with preparations for a Great 8′ Erzähler Celeste and Swell 13⁄5′ Tierce. While the Great principal chorus is unenclosed, the Great flutes and string stops are enclosed, allowing for a greater degree of expression from both manuals.
The Great 22⁄3′ Quinte was not an original stop; this was created from the Pedal Mixture, which was not retained in the new stoplist. The principal chorus on the Great was revoiced to have a more prominent fundamental emphasis, which included reducing the dynamic output of the Mixture so that this stop now sits atop the ensemble without overpowering the listener with the original hard, glassy sound. The Swell 8′ Trompette was also programmed to play from the Great, replacing the duplexing of the Swell 8′ Hautbois from the original stoplist. The 16′ Posaune is now extended from the 8′ Trompette instead of the original 8′ Hautbois. The result is a smoother segue to this low octave of pipes.
A special thanks goes out to Jon Stoneman of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. His activities included the original planning of the organ project, removal and installation, providing volunteer help, technical advising throughout the project and providing home stays during the installation.
Members of the Marceau staff involved with the project included Sean Haley, René Marceau, Ruth Register, and Tom Skyler. Organbuilder Frans Bosman provided much needed technical assistance and support.
—René Marceau
5113 Russell Ave., NW
Seattle, WA 98107
206/521-0954
cell 503/522-2153
<[email protected]>

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church,
Stanwood, Washington
Marceau & Associates Opus 27, 2009
GREAT

16′ Rohrbass (Sw)
8′ Principal (part façade)
8′ Gedeckt
8′ Erzähler
8′ Erzähler Celeste, TC
4′ Octave
4′ Spillflute
22⁄3′ Quinte
2′ Super Octave
11⁄3′ Mixture IV
8′ Trompette (Sw)
Chimes
Great to Great 16′
Swell to Great 16′
Swell to Great 8′
Swell to Great 4′
MIDI on Great
Zimbelstern

SWELL
8′ Rohrflute
8′ Viola
8′ Viola Celeste, TC
8′ Erzähler (Gt)
8′ Erzähler Celeste, TC (Gt)
4′ Principal
4′ Flute Douce
22⁄3′ Nasard
2′ Blockflute
13⁄5′ Tierce
1′ Plein Jeu III
16′ Posaune (ext)
8′ Trompette
8′ Hautbois
4′ Clarion (ext)
Tremulant
Swell to Swell 16′
Swell Unison Off
Swell to Swell 4′
MIDI on Swell

PEDAL
16′ Subbass
16′ Rohrbass (Sw)
8′ Principal (part façade)
8′ Rohrflute (Sw)
4′ Choralbass
4′ Rohrflute (Sw)
16′ Posaune (Sw)
8′ Trompette (Sw)
4′ Clarion (Sw)
Great to Pedal 8′
Swell to Pedal 8′
Swell to Pedal 4′
MIDI on Pedal

R. T. Swanson, Inc.,
Grand Ledge, Michigan
St. John’s Lutheran Church,
Saginaw, Michigan

The history of the pipe organ at St. John’s actually starts with an organ built by the Tellers-Kent Organ Company of Erie, Pennsylvania for St. Lorenz Lutheran Church of Frankenmuth, Michigan in 1930. When St. Lorenz bought a new Casavant pipe organ in 1967, their old instrument became available. William Kaltrider of Owosso, Michigan was engaged by St. John’s to build an organ by reusing much of the St. Lorenz instrument and providing a new console, electrical system and two new blowers. By 2000, many of the 1967 components were becoming increasingly unreliable. Another problem with the 1967 installation was that the organ pipes were installed in two cramped chambers on both sides of the balcony and they spoke through very small tone openings, resulting in a “muffled” tone quality.
In December 2001, St. John’s signed a contract with our company to build an essentially new pipe organ while salvaging as much of the previous instrument as was practical for reuse. Eighteen new windchests were built, allowing the most efficient layout for better tonal egress as well as better accessibility for tuning and maintenance. The action is electro-mechanical. The Swiss-made Meidinger blowers were connected to a new wind system that includes new reservoirs and schwimmers to regulate the wind supply.
Most of the pipes of the Great and Choir–Positive divisions are on windchests cantilevered out from the balcony rail by way of steel framework. The windchests and frames are clad in contemporary oak cabinetry stained to match the other oak in the sanctuary. Three ranks of the Choir–Positive are expressive and located in their own enclosure. Of the organ’s 25 ranks of pipes, 8 are new, 10 are from the St. Lorenz organ, and 7 are used ranks from other sources. All of the old flue ranks were reconditioned and revoiced in our shop. The Trumpet and Oboe ranks were reconditioned and revoiced by Trivo Company of Hagerstown, Maryland. The 8′ Cromorne was built and voiced by Eastern Organ Pipes of Hagerstown, Maryland. All new flue pipes were built by CMC Organ Pipes of Erie, Pennsylvania and voiced in our shop.
The console cabinet from 1967 was retained and refitted with new manual keyboards, stop tablets and the new ICS 4000 control system by Peterson Electro-Musical Products of Alsip, Illinois. The ICS 4000 system features a 99-level combination action and complete MIDI capabilities including record/playback.
Tonal egress from the existing organ chambers was improved by enlarging the tone openings and by installing all new expression shades. Preparations have been made for the future addition of a horizontal brass Trompette en Chamade, which will jut out from the center of the balcony railing.
A dedicatory organ concert on February 25, 2007 featured Professor Leonard Proeber from Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw.
—Richard Swanson

GREAT
8′ Principal +
8′ Doppelflöte *
8′ Gemshorn
4′ Octave +
4′ Doppelflöte (ext) *
22⁄3′ Twelfth TC +
2′ Fifteenth (ext Octave) +
11⁄3′ Mixture III +
8′ Trumpet (Sw)
Chimes
Great to Great 16′, UO, 4′
Swell to Great 16′, 8′, 4′
Choir to Great 16′, 8′, 4′
MIDI on Great

SWELL
16′ Bourdon
8′ Geigenprincipal
8′ Bourdon (ext) *
8′ Viole de Gambe *
8′ Voix Celeste *
4′ Geigenoctave (ext)
4′ Flûte Harmonique
2′ Piccolo (ext)
2′ Mixture III +
8′ Trumpet *
8′ Oboe *
4′ Clarion (ext)*
Tremulant
Swell to Swell 16′, UO, 4′
MIDI on Swell

CHOIR–POSITIVE
8′ Holzgedeckt
8′ Flauto Dolce (expressive)
8′ Flauto Dolce Celeste (expressive)
4′ Principal +
4′ Rohrflöte *
22⁄3′ Nazard TC *
2′ Octave (ext Principal) +
2′ Rohrpfeife (ext)*
13⁄5′ Tierce TC *
11⁄3′ Quinteflöte (ext 22⁄3′) *
8′ Cromorne (expressive) +
8′ Trompette en Chamade †
Tremulant
Chimes
Choir to Choir 16′, UO, 4′
Swell to Choir 16′, 8′, 4′
MIDI on Choir

PEDAL
32′ Resultant *
16′ Subbass *
16′ Bourdon (Sw)*
8′ Octave
8′ Bourdon (Sw)*
8′ Gemshorn (Gt)
4′ Fifteenth (ext Octave)
4′ Rohrflöte (Ch)*
2′ Twentysecond (ext Octave)
16′ Trombone (ext 8′)*
8′ Trumpet (Sw)*
4′ Clarion (Sw)*
Great to Pedal 8′, 4′
Swell to Pedal 8′, 4′
Choir to Pedal 8′, 4′
MIDI on Pedal

* = pipework from the 1930 Tellers-Kent organ originally at St. Lorenz, Frankenmuth
+ = new pipework
† = preparation for future addition

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