New Organs

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

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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

Nichols & Simpson, Inc., Organbuilders, Little Rock, Arkansas
First Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, Michigan
4 manuals, 50 stops, 64 ranks
The Nichols & Simpson organ for First Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Michigan replaces a Casavant organ that was built in 1953. The three-manual Casavant was installed in one chamber on the side of the chancel. The Nichols & Simpson organ has 50 stops and 64 ranks of pipes, of which 12 stops or portions thereof from the Casavant are incorporated into the new organ. The pipes of the main divisions of the organ are on pallet-and-slider windchests. Larger pedal pipes and duplexed stops are on individual valve windchests.
The church interior was completely redesigned architecturally by Constantine George Pappas Architects of Troy, Michigan, and acoustically by Scott R. Riedel & Associates of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The chancel width was opened up, and most of the organ is across the front of the chancel, fronted by new casework designed by Frank Friemel. The Swell division together with some Pedal basses are located in the original organ chamber, which was made shallower.
The new four-manual console is constructed of American cherry and features manual keys with coverings of bone and rosewood. The drawknobs are of rosewood with bone faces inset for engraving. The tilting tablets are of bone. The five expression shoes are solid rosewood. The wind pressures for the organ range from 4 inches for the Great division to 6 inches for the Solo division, with the separately enclosed Tuba stop on a wind pressure of 15 inches.
—C. Joseph Nichols
Photo credit: David C. Scribner

GREAT
16′ Violone (ext 8′ Violone)
8′ Principal
8′ Solo Flute (Solo)
8′ Harmonic Flute
8′ Violone
8′ Bourdon
4′ Octave
4′ Nachthorn
22⁄3′ Twelfth
2′ Fifteenth
13⁄5′ Seventeenth
IV–V Fourniture
8′ Harmonic Trumpet
Tremolo
16′ Trombone (Pedal)
8′ Tromba (Pedal)
8′ Tuba (Choir)
4′ Tromba Clarion (Pedal)

SWELL
16′ Lieblich (ext 8′ Chimney Flute)
8′ Diapason
8′ Chimney Flute
8′ Salicional
8′ Voix Celeste
8′ Flauto Dolce
8′ Flute Celeste
4′ Principal
4′ Flute Octaviante
22⁄3′ Nasard
2′ Octavin
13⁄5′ Tierce
III Plein Jeu
III Petit Plein Jeu
16′ Double Trumpet (ext 8′ Trumpet)
8′ Trompette
8′ Trumpet
8′ Hautbois
8′ Vox Humana
4′ Clarion (ext 8′ Trumpet)
Tremolo
8′ Tuba (Choir)

CHOIR
16′ Double Dulciana (1–12*) (ext)
8′ Geigen Diapason
8′ Geigen Celeste*
8′ Bourdon
8′ Dulciana
8′ Celeste (1–12*)
4′ Principal
4′ Koppelflote
2′ Flautino
11⁄3′ Larigot
IV Chorus Mixture
16′ Bass Clarinet (1–12*) (ext)
8′ Petite Trompette
8′ Clarinet
Harp*
Celesta*
Tremolo
8′ Tromba (Pedal)
16′ Tuba TC
8′ Tuba

SOLO
16′ Contra Gamba (ext 8′ Gamba)
8′ Solo Flute
8′ Gamba
8′ Gamba Celeste
4′ Solo Flute (ext 8′ Solo Flute)
8′ French Horn
8′ Clarinet (Choir)
8′ English Horn
Tremolo
Harp (Choir)
Celesta (Choir)
16′ Tuba TC (Choir)
16′ Trombone (Pedal)
8′ Tuba (Choir)
8′ Tromba (Pedal)
4′ Tromba Clarion (Pedal)

PEDAL
32′ Contra Violone*
32′ Contra Bourdon*
16′ Open Wood (ext 8′ Solo Flute)
16′ Principal (ext Great 8′ Principal)
16′ Subbass
16′ Violone (Great)
16′ Lieblich (Swell)
16′ Double Dulciana (Choir)
8′ Solo Flute (Solo)
8′ Octave
8′ Bourdon (ext 16′ Subbass)
8′ Violone (Great)
8′ Chimney Flute (Swell)
8′ Dulciana (Choir)
4′ Solo Flute (Solo)
4′ Choral Bass
2′ Solo Flute (Solo)
IV Mixture
32′ Ophicleide*
16′ Trombone
16′ Double Trumpet (Swell)
16′ Bass Clarinet (1–12*)
8′ Tuba (Choir)
8′ Tromba (ext 16′ Trombone)
8′ Trumpet (Swell)
4′ Tromba (ext 16′ Trombone)
4′ Clarinet (Choir)

*digital

Nichols & Simpson, Inc., Organbuilders, Little Rock, Arkansas
Moorings Presbyterian Church, Naples, Florida
The new Nichols & Simpson organ for Moorings Presbyterian Church is the first pipe organ that this congregation has ever used in worship. The generosity of the Sterritte family made this long-held dream a possibility. The main organ and façade houses 49 stops and 63 ranks. The Solo division, which will be housed behind a smaller façade, will be completed at a future date and will comprise five stops and five ranks. The case pipes in the large towers are made of flamed copper; the remainder of the case pipes are made of polished zinc. The case was designed by Frank Friemel and executed by QLF Custom Pipe Organ Components, LLC. The organ was used in worship for the first time on August 10, 2008.
—C. Joseph Nichols

3 manuals, 49 stops, 63 ranks

GREAT
16′ Double Diapason
8′ Open Diapason
8′ Second Open Diapason (ext 16′)
8′ Flute Harmonique
8′ Bourdon
8′ Violone
4′ Octave
4′ Nachthorn
22⁄3′ Twelfth
2′ Super Octave
13⁄5′ Seventeenth
IV–V Fourniture
16′ Bombarde (ext 8′ Tpt Harm)
8′ Trompette Harmonique
Chimes*
Cymbelstern

SWELL
16′ Lieblich Gedeckt
8′ Open Diapason
8′ Chimney Flute
8′ Salicional
8′ Voix Celeste
8′ Lieblich Gedeckt (ext 16′ Lieb Ged)
8′ Flauto Dolce
8′ Flauto Dolce Celeste
4′ Principal
4′ Flute Octaviante
22⁄3′ Nasard
2′ Octavin
13⁄5′ Tierce
II Grave Mixture
III Sharp Mixture
16′ Double Trumpet
8′ Trompette Harmonique
8′ Trumpet (ext 16′ Dbl Trumpet)
8′ Hautbois
8′ Vox Humana
4′ Clarion
Tremolo

CHOIR
16′ Contra Viola (ext 8′ Viola) (1–12*)
8′ Geigen Diapason
8′ Viola
8′ Viola Celeste (1–12*)
8′ Gedeckt
8′ Erzahler
8′ Erzahler Celeste (1–12*)
4′ Principal
4′ Zauberflote
2′ Flautino
IV–V Mixture
16′ Bass Clarinet (ext 8′ Clar) (1–12*)
8′ Trompette
8′ Clarinet
Harp*
Celesta*
Tremolo

SOLO
8′ Gross Flute (preparation)
8′ Gamba (preparation)
8′ Gamba Celeste (preparation)
4′ Gross Flute (preparation)
8′ French Horn (preparation)
8′ English Horn (preparation)
Tremolo
16′ Tuba TC (preparation)
8′ Tuba (preparation)
8′ Tromba (Pedal)

PEDAL
32′ Contra Violone*
32′ Contra Bourdon*
16′ Open Wood
16′ Double Diapason (Great)
16′ Subbass
16′ Contra Viola (Choir)
16′ Lieblich Gedeckt (Swell)
8′ Gross Flute (Solo preparation)
8′ Octave
8′ Bourdon (ext 16′ Subbass)
8′ Viola (Choir)
8′ Chimney Flute (Swell)
4′ Super Octave
4′ Gross Flute (Solo preparation)
IV Mixture
32′ Ophicleide*
16′ Trombone
16′ Bombarde (Great)
16′ Double Trumpet (Swell)
8′ Tuba (Solo)
8′ Tromba (ext 16′ Trombone)
8′ Trumpet (Swell)
4′ Tromba Clairon (ext 16′ Trombone)
4′ Clarinet (Choir)
Chimes*

*digital

A. E. Schlueter Pipe Organ Company, Lithonia, Georgia
Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida
The early morning hours of December 23, 2007 were of significance and great loss for the Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church. Due to contract negotiations with the symphony, the then-locked-out musicians of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra performed at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church with a “Messiah Sing” on the evening of December 22. The proceeds of this performance were to benefit the Health and Welfare fund of the members of this institution. This was the last performance ever held in the sanctuary. Sometime in the morning hours of the 23rd a fire started and in a matter of hours consumed the church to the foundation. On the brink of Christmas, the stunned members and staff assembled on the church grounds in front of the still-smoldering pyre of their sanctuary, to console, pray, and plan. From this immeasurable loss they resolved to bolster their presence in the Jacksonville community with a new church and renewed dedication to their ministry.
Reverend Dr. Kyle Reese assembled a team to plan and oversee the rebuilding of the sanctuary. They vowed to have the church open no later than December 23, 2009, when they would again open the church to the public with a performance of Handel’s Messiah. In addition to Pastor Reese, key members who were to play a role in our building an instrument were O’Neal Douglas, chairman of the Sanctuary Renovation Task Force; Bill Mason, organ committee chairman; Reverend Tommy Shapard, Minister of Music and Worship; and Brenda Scott, organist. A constant presence on this construction project was O’Neal Douglas, who served as a living Gantt chart. He invested untold hours to assure the clear communications and coordination between all the different trades involved to build this church by the required completion date.
Lost in the fire was a three-manual, 48-rank Möller that had been installed in 1989. As one of the last instruments from Möller, it was a very good example of their building style and had been well loved by the congregation. Prior to working with our firm as a sales representative, Herbert Ridgeley Jr. represented the Möller firm. He had worked with then minister of music Reverend Kendall Smith on the installation of this Möller instrument. Marc Conley of our staff had worked on this instrument when he was employed by Möller. With these past affiliations, we began the initial discussions with the church as they considered a replacement pipe organ and evaluated firms that might build this instrument. In the words of Tommy Shapard, the charge of the organ committee was “to design an instrument with a variety of colors and levels of expression available in the new instrument to give our congregation and choir the opportunity to sing together more vitally and creatively as a worshipping body.”
I will always recall an exchange that took place early in our meeting with the organ committee. As we talked about a proposed stoplist, we were five minutes into the discussion when Chairman Mason raised a finger and jokingly said, “Arthur . . . from this point forward whenever we say Baptist, we want you to think Presbyterian.” He was referring to the landmark III/62 instrument our firm was building at that time for New York Avenue Presbyterian in Washington and its ties to President Lincoln and theologian Peter Marshall. (See cover feature, The Diapason, July 2010.) I came to find a much deeper meaning in his offhand quip. In public and private discussions, I have heard other builders refer to a “type” of organ they design by denomination. Personally, I do not believe one serves any church well by imprinting their view of any particular denomination—a generic “this is it” approach to stoplist and tonal design of an instrument. This is true regardless of whether it be Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Episcopal, or any other denomination. There are and always will be the subtle and not so subtle differences in a church’s worship style. Often in my professional career I have had a church explain their “traditional” worship only to find a worship style that I might personally find to be contemporary, or often a church that describes itself as “contemporary” to be traditional. The euphemism “blended” often used by many churches to describe their music in worship does not solve any identity issues either. As a builder, it is incumbent upon you to experience a church’s worship with your own eyes and ears and then really listen to how your client will use the organ in their worship. This is the only surefire way to refine a stoplist and scale sheets into a cogent amalgam that will allow you to design, voice, and tonally finish an instrument that truly serves the vision of the church you are working for.
A very real challenge in the design of this instrument was that the church moved very fast in the design of a building to assure their December 23, 2009 first service. By the time a contract was signed with our firm, the basic design of the building was locked in place and key building materials had been ordered. We had to work with the architect to design space for an instrument in a building that was already well defined. To allow for an instrument, space would have to be created. As a design team, we found that if we changed the width of the hallway access to the baptistery on the right and left and had a concrete lentil poured above the hallway and above the baptistery, room could be provided for a 43-foot-wide chamber of varying depth and elevations. Taking into account the sloping ceilings in the chambers, we planned a left-to-right division orientation of Swell, Great/Pedal, and Choir. The enclosed divisions of the organ have tone openings on their front and also on the side openings into the center Great and Pedal division. These side openings provide a coalescence and focus for the enclosed resources into the central axis of the instrument.
The chancel façade is designed to frame the baptistery. The façade is silver with polished mouths and features pipework from the 16′ Principal, 16′ Violone, 8′ Octave, and 8′ Diapason. The casework has a maple finish to match the church furnishings. To support the needs of audio-visual functions in their ministry, a projection screen was incorporated into the center section of the upper organ case.
The completed organ is 60 ranks, divided among three manual divisions in the chancel and a floating Antiphonal division in the rear of the church. My specification and scaling for this instrument has its roots in American Classicism, with an emphasis on the English elements found within this stylistic construct. All of the organ divisions are weighted around 8′ chorus structure. The Great is designed around a diapason chorus that has richness and warmth but that still maintains clarity in its phrasing. The Swell features an independent 8′ Principal, which allows the 8′ Swell string scales to be narrower, since these stops do not need to provide the core 8′ flue foundation. The Gemshorn in the Choir is generously scaled, with a wide mouth to support a function in this division analogous to a foundational Spitz Principal. The mixtures in the enclosed divisions are pitched at 2′ and provide a logical completion to the enclosed division principal choruses. This allows completion of the 8/4/2 chorus ladder without breaks in pitch or the need for independent 2′ principals as single stop draws. In addition to avoiding the stridency sometimes found in mixtures with pitches above 1′, this treatment of the mixtures also frees up the 2′ pitch registers for independent manual flutes.
While individually differing in color, the two enclosed divisions have parallel flue pitch registers for support of choral accompaniment. With a large, effective shade front, these divisions provide ample resources of weight and color against the human voice.
The organ reeds were designed with English shallots, which prove much more favorable in a dryer American acoustic. As is our common practice, the organ reeds are placed on separate reservoirs, separate tremolos, and individual unit electro-pneumatic windchests. This treatment allows the reeds to be freed from the strictures of the manual flue wind pressures. This allows complete freedom in scale, shallot design and treatments, and tongue thickness. With a separate tremolo, achieving the correct depth and speed on the reed stops does not become as elusive as it can sometimes be when flues and reeds share a common plenum.
For a large festive solo voice, the chancel organ features a high-pressure English Tuba. This stop is located in the Choir division, and under expressive control it can be used as a darker ensemble reed when it is dynamically caged. It is carried down to the 16′ register to effectively ground the Pedal division.
A very complete Pedal division was desired, with multiple pitches represented from 32′ through 4′. Just the 16′ registers alone represent nine of the 24 stops in the Pedal division. In addition to independent Pedal registers, full advantage was taken of manual-to-pedal duplexes. The result is a plethora of stops under the organist’s control, with a full range of colors and dynamics.
Early on in the design of this instrument, we prepared for a 10-rank Antiphonal. Due to the beneficence of several members, the church was able to contract for this “prepared for” item and have it installed with the chancel instrument. Visually, the rear organ takes its design from the chancel façade. Positioned between the two cases is an 8′ Trompette En Chamade with brass bells. Cognizant of its position in the church and the presence of the high-pressure English Tuba in the chancel organ, the stop was voiced on a moderate 7½ inches pressure. By its position, it has presence and lacks the offensiveness that is sometimes associated with this stop. The core of the Antiphonal organ includes a complete 8′ principal chorus, a lyrical 8′ Gedeckt, and an ethereal pair of 8′ Erzahler Celestes.
Foundational support for the Antiphonal division is provided by a Pedal 16′ Stille Gedeckt and 8′ Stille Principal in the Antiphonal Pedal division. In addition to providing foundation for the rear division, these stops are also very useful in larger organ registrations by adding definition and dimension to the chancel bass presence.
Never to be forgotten in an instrument of this size is the need for quiet contemplative moments. Early in our meetings we talked about the need for the organ to have the resources for what we began to refer to as “the whisper.” In the Choir division, we added a Ludwigtone stop. This is a wooden set of pipes with a dividing wall in the center of the pipe that has two separate mouths. Its unique construction allows each pipe to produce two notes, one of which can be tuned off-beating. In our stoplist as the Flute Celeste II, when it is drawn with a closed box, full couplers, and the Antiphonal Klein Erzahlers added to it, with a light 16′ Pedal stop, there is a moment of being surrounded by an ethereal magic that is at once all enveloping and yet without any weight.
Mechanically this organ uses our electro-pneumatic slider chests, with the organ reeds placed on electro-pneumatic unit chests. Conventional ribbed box regulators are used for the winding system.
The resources of the organ are controlled by a three-manual drawknob console. Built in the English style, the console sits on a rolling platform to allow mobility. The console exterior is built of maple, with an ebonized interior. The console features modern conveniences for the organist, such as multiple memory levels, programmable crescendo and sforzando, transposer, MIDI, and the ability to record and play back organ performances.
To allow full control in the tonal finishing of this instrument, we set sample pipes on the windchests in the organ chambers and then removed the pipes from the chambers to continue work with a portable voicing machine located in the chancel. This allowed us to work unimpeded and be more accurate with cutups and initial nicking, feathering, and flue regulation than could have possible within the confines of the organ chambers and the sea of pipework on each chest. After “roughing in” the pipework voicing, the stops were reinstalled in the organ chamber for final voicing and tonal finishing. In a process that lasted months, the tonal finishing was completed by a team including Daniel Angerstein, Peter Duys, John Tanner, Marc Conley, and Bud Taylor. In addition to our tonal finishers, our installation team included Marshall Foxworthy, Rob Black, Patrick Hodges, Jeremiah Hodges, Kelvin Cheatham, Joe Sedlacek, and Wilson Luna. I am thankful for their dedication and the long hours they put into this project to make sure that our tonal ideals for this instrument were not only achieved but exceeded.
The new sanctuary was finally at a point of completion by November 16 that we were able to begin the installation. The organ was brought up divisionally to allow autonomous work by our staff in multiple divisions. This allowed 40 ranks of the organ to be brought online when first heard in public on December 23, 2009. On this day, our staff was able to return home to be with their families during Christmas, and two family members, Art Schlueter Jr. and Arthur Schlueter III, were able to begin their Christmas together at the public opening of this church with Handel’s Messiah. Forever in my memory will be standing tall as father and son during the Hallelujah Chorus. As with all organ projects, there was still work to be done to complete and finish the organ, but it was a satisfying conclusion to a year that saw the installation of multiple new instruments by our firm and the fulfillment of a promise to this congregation and community.
A final chapter to this story must be told. To assist their search for an organbuilder and evaluate plans for a new instrument, the organ committee engaged local Jacksonville organbuilder, Jim Garvin, as part of their working group. As I developed my proposal for the church, he was a ready translator to discuss the minutiae of the organ proposal—from chest design, stop type, material construction, winding systems, etc. As a builder, I found it a great pleasure to work with Jim, who ably served as a liaison between the organbuilder and the church. Sadly, during the building of this instrument Jim began a battle with cancer. Even as he was weakened by his fight with the cancer, he never wavered in his role as consultant through the organ installation and dedication. I am happy to say that he lived to sing and worship with this instrument. One of our collective proudest moments was at the inaugural organ dedication with Dr. Al Travis. With a solid look in the eye and a firm stance, we exchanged handshakes as equals who had both worked to the best of our abilities on behalf of Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church. Earlier this year Jim lost his fight with cancer. His funeral was held at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church, where I again returned to hear organ and choir, but this time to say goodbye. I will forever be grateful for my consultant and colleague I worked with in the completion of this project. Reminiscent of the way the project started, I once again heard Handel, as Jim’s final request for his service had been the Hallelujah Chorus.
Additional information on our firm and projects can be viewed at www.pipe-organ.com or by writing A. E. Schlueter Pipe Organ Company, P.O. Box 838, Lithonia, GA 30058.
—Arthur E. Schlueter III, tonal and artistic direction

All photos taken by Tim Rucci (www.timrucci.com)

Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church
Three manuals, 60 ranks

GREAT—Manual II
(unenclosed) (16 ranks)
16′ Violone 61 pipes
8′ Diapason 61 pipes
8′ Violone 12 pipes
8′ Flute Harmonique 49 pipes
(1–12 Pedal Bourdon)
8′ Bourdon 61 pipes
4′ Octave 61 pipes
4′ Spire Flute 61 pipes
22⁄3′ Twelfth 61 pipes
2′ Super Octave 61 pipes
IV Mixture 11⁄3′ 244 pipes
III Klein Mixture 2⁄3′ 183 pipes
16′ Double Trumpet 61 pipes
(English shallots)
8′ Trumpet 12 pipes
16′ English Tuba (Choir) (non-coupling)
8′ English Tuba (Choir) (non-coupling)
4′ English Tuba (Choir) (non-coupling)
Chimes (Choir)
Zimbelstern 9 bells
Great to Great 4′
Tremulant

CHOIR—Manual I (enclosed)
(13 ranks)
16′ Gemshorn 12 pipes
8′ Hohl Flute 61 pipes
8′ Gemshorn 61 pipes
8′ Gemshorn Celeste 49 pipes
8′ Flute Celeste II 80 pipes
(Ludwigtone)
4′ Principal 61 pipes
4′ Spindle Flute 61 pipes
2′ Harmonic Piccolo 61 pipes
11⁄3′ Quint 61 pipes
III Choral Mixture 2′ 183 pipes
8′ Clarinet 61 pipes
(English shallots with lift caps)
8′ English Tuba 61 pipes
(non-coupling)
Tremulant
Choir to Choir 16′
Choir Unison Off
Choir to Choir 4′

SWELL—Manual III (enclosed) (14 ranks)
16′ Lieblich Gedeckt 61 pipes
8′ Geigen Principal 61 pipes
8′ Viole de Gamba 61 pipes
8′ Viole Celeste TC 49 pipes
8′ Rohr Flute 12 pipes
4′ Geigen Octave 61 pipes
4′ Nachthorn 61 pipes
22⁄3′ Nazard TC 49 pipes
2′ Flageolet (from 16′) 24 pipes
13⁄5′ Tierce TC 49 pipes
IV Mixture 2′ 244 pipes
16′ Bassoon 61 pipes
(English shallots with lift caps)
8′ Trumpet 61 pipes
(English shallots)
8′ Oboe 12 pipes
4′ Clarion 12 pipes
Tremulant
Swell to Swell 16′
Swell Unison Off
Swell to Swell 4′

ANTIPHONAL—floating division (10 ranks)
8′ Weit Principal 61 pipes
8′ Gedeckt 61 pipes
8′ Klein Erzahler 61 pipes
8′ Klein Erzahler Celeste 49 pipes
4′ Principal 61 pipes
III Mixture 2′ 183 pipes
8′ Trompette En Chamade 61 pipes

ANTIPHONAL PEDAL
16′ Stille Gedeckt 12 pipes
8′ Stille Principal 32 pipes

PEDAL (7 ranks)
32′ Violone (digital)
32′ Bourdon (digital)
16′ Principal 32 pipes
16′ Violone (Great)
16′ Gemshorn (Choir)
16′ Subbass 32 pipes
16′ Lieblich Gedeckt (Swell)
8′ Octave 32 pipes
8′ Violone (Great)
8′ Gemshorn (Choir)
8′ Bourdon 12 pipes
8′ Gedeckt (Swell)
4′ Choral Bass 12 pipes
4′ Bourdon 12 pipes
IV Mixture 22⁄3′ 128 pipes
32′ Posaune (digital)
32′ Harmonics (wired Cornet series)
16′ Trombone (ext Tuba) 12 pipes
16′ Double Trumpet (Great)
16′ Bassoon (Swell)
8′ English Tuba (Choir)
8′ Trumpet (Great)
4′ Clarion (Great)
4′ Oboe Clarion (Swell)

Inter-manual couplers
Great to Pedal 8′, 4′
Swell to Pedal 8′, 4′
Choir to Pedal 8′, 4′
Antiphonal on Pedal

Swell to Great 16′, 8′, 4′
Choir to Great 16′, 8′, 4′
Antiphonal on Great

Swell to Choir 16′, 8′, 4′
Antiphonal on Choir

Antiphonal on Swell

MIDI controls (programmable as preset stops) (with record/playback) (audio included)
MIDI on Pedal
MIDI on Great
MIDI on Swell
MIDI on Choir

Combination system with a minimum of 128 levels of memory

Glück New York,
New York, New York
Leon Lowenstein Memorial Auditorium, Congregation Emanu-El, New York, New York
The Fox Memorial Pipe Organ began its career as M. P. Möller’s Opus 9718 of 1962, designed by Dr. Robert S. Baker in collaboration with John H. Hose, tonal director of the Möller firm. The instrument was installed behind draperies in the amphitheatre choir loft of the 1,100-seat auditorium, which is designed to transform from a concert and lecture venue into a fully equipped summer sanctuary. Only the 16' Contrebasse and 16' Hélicon are partially visible from the auditorium. The placement of the instrument near the choir’s microphones (also used for radio broadcasts) forced an unhappy situation of under-scaled and feebly winded pipes, with closed toe holes and mouth heights as low as 1/6 cut-ups.
After 45 years, the temple contracted with Glück New York to tonally redesign the instrument and replace its mechanical systems. The solid-state drawknob console retains the original ivory keyboards and tiger maple pedalboard. The organ’s remote pneumatic relays and combination stacks were replaced with solid-state equipment.
The new tonal design moved from a typical American church organ of the period toward a warmer, fuller, rounder sound. Some of the mid-century tonal concepts that were of no use in the synagogue service (such as the two pseudo-baroque 4' reeds) were replaced by voices more essential to the liturgy. Many of the flue pipes had been left with untreated languids and were cut up only high enough to get them to speak. Furthermore, they had not had their toe holes opened, and could be considered essentially new and unvoiced, an added bonus in the context of the project. The unusual Shofar stop was designed by W. Adolph Zajic (1909–1987) and built with only six pipes; the organ’s new relay is prepared to fill out the stop in the future.
The new specifications were drawn up by Sebastian M. Glück, artistic and tonal director of the firm, who also carried out the voicing and tonal finishing. Albert Jensen-Moulton, general manager, was responsible for all technical aspects of the project. The three other pipe organs in the temple complex include a IV/135 in the sanctuary and a III/35 in Beth-El Chapel, both by the Glück firm. A fourth pipe organ, a II/7 Wilfred Lavalée in Greenwald Hall, was removed in the 1990s.
—Sebastian M. Glück

Fox Memorial Pipe Organ
Leon Lowenstein Memorial Auditorium, Congregation Emanu-El, New York, New York

GRAND-ORGUE
Manual II, unenclosed, 31'4' wind
16' Bourdon
8' Montre
8' Bois ouverte
8' Violon sourdine
4' Prestant
2' Doublette
Plein jeu IV
8' Shofar
Tremblant
Jeux empruntés:
8' Bourdon (Pos)
8' Voix angélique (Pos)
8' Voix mystique (Pos)
4' Flûte (Pos)
8' Hautbois (Réc)

RÉCIT-EXPRESSIF
Manual III, enclosed, 4' wind
8' Viole de gambe
8' Voix céleste
8' Flûte à cheminée
4' Prestant
4' Flûte harmonique
2' Flûte à bec
Fourniture III
16' Basson
8' Trompette
8' Hautbois
Tremblant
8' Trompette de fête (Pos)

POSITIF-EXPRESSIF
Manual I, enclosed, 4' & 6' wind
8' Violon sourdine (G-O)
8' Voix angélique
8' Voix mystique
8' Bourdon
4' Prestant (prep)
4' Flûte
22'3' Nazard
2' Quart de nazard
13'5' Tierce
8' Clarinette
Tremblant
8' Trompette de fête

PÉDALE
Unenclosed, 4' wind
16' Contrebasse
16' Sous basse
16' Violoncelle sourdine (ext G-O)
16' Bourdon (G-O)
8' Octavebasse
8' Flûte
8' Bourdon (Pos)
8' Violon sourdine (G-O)
4' Quinzième
4' Cor de nuit
Mixture II
32' Aliquots graves
16' Hélicon
16' Basson (Réc)
8' Trombone
8' Basson (Réc)

Fabry, Inc., Antioch, Illinois
Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Located in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Milwaukee, Immanuel Presbyterian Church has held a place of honor on Yankee Hill, overlooking Lake Michigan. In 1881 the church purchased what is now the core of the present instrument. Nearly all of the unison voices and lower are from the original instrument, including the 16' Double Open Diapason and 16' Principal, both of which are wood. During the next 120 years, additions and rebuilds occurred, bringing the instrument to its current state, still preserving over 75% of the original instrument. In 1965, the organ was fitted with a used Austin three-manual console. While the console worked well for a time, it was clear a new console was needed. When Fabry, Inc. was contacted to do the work, the previous curator had left many parts, tools and pipes in the organ area. Among these items was an 8' French Horn, purchased by the church and awaiting installation.
Fabry, Inc. undertook the following to improve the usability and tonal palette of the organ. An all-new three-manual drawknob console was custom crafted by David G. Fabry to control the 67-rank, 71-stop instrument. Utilizing the ICS-4000 combination action and relay system, this console and interface brings the 1881 Hook & Hastings into the 21st century. The aforementioned French Horn received a new chest built by David G. Fabry, and was installed in the String division with its own dedicated electric tremolo. A new electric extension of the 16' Bassoon in the Swell was installed, fully utilizing this rescaled 8' stop to a greater degree. Other smaller jobs, such as bracing and reworking the ventilation system were also completed at this time. While one half of the organ had been re-wired with PVC-coated wiring, the other half was brought up to standard.
Fabry, Inc. would like to thank the Rev. Deborah A. Block, pastor; Steven J. Jensen, organist; and John S. Komasa, director of music.
—Phil Spressart

GREAT
16' Open Diapason
16' Bourdon
8' Open Diapason
8' Chimney Flute
8' Doppel Flute
8' Aeoline (TC)
8' Gamba
8' Gemshorn
4' Octave
4' Harmonic Flute
22'3' Twelfth
2' Fifteenth
2' Waldflöte
2' Mixture IV
16' Double Trumpet
8' Trumpet
8' Tuba Mirabilis (Ped)
4' Clarion
Cathedral Chimes
Great 4
Great Unison Off
Great 16

SWELL
16' Lieblich Gedeckt
8' Open Diapason
8' Stopped Diapason
8' Viole d’Gambe
8' Viole Celeste
4' Octave
4' Flute Traverso
22'3' Nazard
2' Flautino
13'5' Tierce
11'3' Plein Jeu III
16' Bassoon (1–12 elec.)
8' Hautbois
8' Trumpet
8' Vox Humana
4' Clarion
Tremolo
Swell 4
Swell Unison Off
Swell 16

CHOIR
8' Geigen Principal
8' Melodia
8' Viol d’Amour
8' Viol Celeste
4' Octave
4' Stopped Flute
2' Piccolo
11'3' Larigot
22'3' Mixture II
8' Clarinet
8' Tuba Mirabilis (Ped)
8' Harp Celeste
Mockingbird
Cymbelstern
Tremolo
Choir 4
Choir Unison Off
Choir 16

STRING
8' Dulciana
8' Violon Cello
8' Cello Celeste
8' Violin Sordo
8' Violin Celeste
8' French Horn
Tremolo

PEDAL
32' Violone (1–12 elec.)
32' Contra Bourdon (1–12 elec.)
16' Double Open Diapason
16' Principal
16' Bourdon
16' Lieblich Gedeckt (Sw)
16' Violone (Gt)
8' Octave
8' Bass Flute
8' Holzgedeckt
8' Violin Cello
4' Fifteenth
2' Mixture III
32' Bombarde (1–12 elec.)
32' Contra Trombone
16' Bassoon (Sw)
16' Double Trumpet (Gt)
16' Trombone
8' Tromba
4' Tromba

In December 2003,
Levsen Organ Company, Buffalo, Iowa, started the rebuild of the 3-manual Wicks pipe organ at First United Methodist Church in Peoria, Illinois. As the church underwent changes during a remodeling project so did the organ. First United Methodist Church contracted Levsen Organ Company to rebuild and digitize the console and relays, add a 32' Contra Bourdon, an 8' polished copper Trompette en Chamade, and a Zimbelstern, bringing the organ to three manuals, 77 stops and 63 ranks. It is easily the largest and most versatile organ in the Peoria area. The organ contains many varied voices and ensembles. It is an excellent worship instrument and well suited for recitals. The additions made to the organ greatly increased its dynamic and tonal range. Levsen Organ Company was honored to do the rebuild and additions to the organ at First United Methodist Church.

—Rodney Levsen.

First United Methodist Church, Peoria, Illinois.

1977 Wicks, 3 manuals, 62 ranks, 72 stops.

2004 Levsen Organ Company rebuild, 3 manuals, 63 ranks, 77 stops.

GREAT

16' Spitzflöte (12 pipes).

8' Spitzflöte*.

8' Principal.

8' Bourdon.

4' Octave.

4' Koppelflöte.

2' Super Octave.

IV Mixture (244 pipes).

8' Trumpet.

8' Trompette En Chamade (Pos).

4' Clarion.

Chimes (25 tubes).

16' Great to Great.

Great Unison Off
4' Great to Great.

*All manual stops 61 pipes unless indicated otherwise.


SWELL

16' Contra Viola (12 pipes).

8' Montre.

8' Rohrflöte.

8' Viola Pomposa.

8' Flauto Dolce.

8' Viola Céleste.

8' Flute Céleste (49 pipes).

4' Prestant.

4' Nachthorn.

22/3' Nazard.

2' Octavin.

1' Sifflöte.

III–V Plein Jeu (226 pipes).

16' Bombarde (1–12, 5" wind).

8' Trompette

8' Trompette En Chamade (Pos).

8' Regal.

4' Clarion.

Tremulant.

16' Swell to Swell.

Swell Unison Off.

4' Swell to Swell.

CHOIR.

16' Erzähler (12 pipes).

8' Erzähler.

8' Erzähler Céleste (49 pipes).

8' Waldflöte.

4' Spitz Geigen.

4' Spillflöte.

22/3' Nasat.

2' Flachflöte.

13/5' Tierce.

8' English Horn.

8' Trompette En Chamade (Pos).

8' Clarinet.

8' Major Trumpet.

8' Trumpet (Gt).

4' Trumpet (Gt).

Tremulant.

Chimes.

16' Choir to Choir.

Choir Unison Off.

4' Choir to Choir

FLOATING POSITIV

16' Gemshorn T.C. (ext)

8' Gedeckt Pommer

8' Gemshorn

4' Principal

4' Gedeckt (ext)

2' Octave

11/3' Larigot

IV Cymbal (244 pipes)

8' Krummhorn

Tremulant

8' Trompette En Chamade

PEDAL

32' Subbass (12 pipes)

16' Principal*

16' Contra Viola (Sw)

16' Subbass

16' Spitzflöte (Gt)

102/3' Gross Quint (Sw)

16' Erzähler (Ch)

8' Bourdon

8' Viola (Sw)

8' Octave

8' Spitzflöte (Gt)

4' Flute (12 pipes)

8' Erzähler (Ch)

4' Choralbass

IV Mixture (128 pipes)

32' Contra Bombarde (12 pipes)

16' Bombarde (Sw)

16' Posaune

8' Trompette En Chamade (Pos)

8' Trumpet (Gt)

8' Trompette (12 pipes)

8' Krummhorn (Pos)

4' Klarine (12 pipes)

4' Clarion (Gt)

4' Krummhorn (Pos)

Chimes (25 tubes)

*All pedal stops 32 pipes unless indicated otherwise


MIDI

MIDI 1

MIDI 2

MIDI 3

MIDI 4



Zimbelstern