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

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

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

Lewis & Hitchcock, Inc.,
Beltsville, Maryland
Hughes United Methodist Church, Wheaton, Maryland
The Newcomer brothers, Harold and Ed, were masters at “remanufacturing” organs. The Newcomer Organ Company of Washington, D.C., produced a number of these instruments, one of the finest of which they built for Hughes United Methodist Church of Wheaton, Maryland, in 1966. The windchests and pipes were mainly from E. M. Skinner and Möller organs, with new pipes by Möller and Trivo, and a new Möller three-manual drawknob console. The organ had 35 ranks in two chambers up front and an antiphonal above the rear balcony. Space was left in the chambers for additional stops, and knobs were prepared on the console.
In 1983 the Newcomer firm was purchased by Lewis & Hitchcock, and the two firms eventually merged. When some repairs due to age were required, discussions began about improving the chancel area and completing the organ. The final outline was:
1. The church would remodel the chancel, removing all carpet and installing hardwood floors. The choir pews would be removed and be replaced with chairs. The chamber grille cloth would be replaced, and the chamber ceilings and walls repaired where required.
2. The organ would be physically renewed as required. New blowers would be provided for the main and Antiphonal organs, and new rectifiers provided.
3. The organ console would be totally rebuilt with solid-state action, and be placed on a new, rolling platform, so that it could be located anywhere in the chancel area.
4. New and rebuilt pipework would be added to complete the specification, and some of the existing pipework moved to a more appropriate location.
5. A new Trompette en Chamade would be added to the Antiphonal division.
The completed instrument now totals 47 ranks. The organ is very versatile and able to provide support for soloists, choirs, and congregation. The new solid-state equipment occupies less space than the previous system, so a storage space for music and shoes was created in the left side of the console. The new oak parquet platform may be easily moved throughout the chancel area. The new systems include a transposer and multiple-memory combination action with settable crescendos, and a MIDI system with sequencer to record and play back performances. The remodeled chancel has improved the acoustics and has proved very useful for the wide variety of services held there.
The late Randy Skinner was chair of the organ committee that selected the Newcomer firm to provide the organ. Sharon Skinner, his daughter, was the chair of the trustees in charge of the rebuilding work. Organist Van Knauss worked with Gerald Piercey to plan the tonal changes and additions.
Many pictures of the work in progress in the factory and in the church may be found in the Rebuilt Organs section of the Lewis & Hitchcock website: <www.lhorgans.com&gt;.
—Text and pictures by Gerald Piercey, Lewis & Hitchcock, Inc.

Hughes United Methodist Church, Wheaton, Maryland
Rebuilt by Lewis & Hitchcock, Inc.

GREAT
Chimes 21 tubes
16′ Quintaton 61 pipes
8′ Principal 61 pipes
8′ Hohlflute 61 pipes
4′ Octave 61 pipes
4′ Nachthorn 61 pipes+
rebuilt pipes on rebuilt chest
2′ Fifteenth 61 pipes
11⁄3′ Mixture III–IV 219 pipes
8′ Bombarde 17 pipes+
new, on new chest,
and Ped 16′ Bombarde
16′ Great to Great
8′ Great Unison Off
4′ Great to Great

SWELL
8′ Rohrflute 61 pipes
8′ Viol d’Gamba 61 pipes
8′ Voix Celeste TC 49 pipes
4′ Principal 61 pipes
4′ Flute Traverse 61 pipes
22⁄3′ Rohr Nazard 61 pipes
2′ Zauberflöte 61 pipes+
rebuilt, in place of RohrSordun
13⁄5′ Tierce (prepared)
2′ Plein Jeu III 183 pipes+
new, in place of Cymbal
16′ Fagott 61 pipes+
new, on new chest
8′ Trompette 61 pipes
8′ Hautbois 12 pipes+
new, and 16′ Fagott
4′ Clarion (prepared)
Tremolo
16′ Swell to Swell
8′ Swell Unison Off
4′ Swell to Swell

CHOIR
8′ Holz Gedeckt 61 pipes
8′ Flauto Dolce 61 pipes
8′ Unda Maris TC 49 pipes
4′ Koppelflute 61 pipes
2′ Blockflute 61 pipes
1′ Cymbal III 183 pipes+
moved from Swell, on new chest
8′ Krummhorn 61 pipes
Tremolo
16′ Choir to Choir
8′ Choir Unison Off
4′ Choir to Choir

ANTIPHONAL
8′ Melodia 61 pipes
8′ Dulciana 61 pipes
8′ Unda Maris TC 49 pipes+
rebuilt, on rebuilt windchest
4′ Octave 61 pipes
2′ Super Octave 61 pipes+
rebuilt, on rebuilt windchest
11⁄3′ Mixture III 183 pipes+
rebuilt, on rebuilt windchest
8′ Trompette en Chamade 61 pipes+
new, on new chest
8′ Trompette Harmonique 61 pipes
16′ Antiphonal Bourdon 32 pipes
8′ Antiphonal Bourdon (ext) 12 pipes

PEDAL
32′ Untersatz (prepared as electronic extension, resultant at installation)+
16′ Subbass 32 pipes
16′ Quintaton (Great)
16′ Lieblich Gedeckt 32 pipes
8′ Geigen Principal 32 pipes
8′ Bass Flute (ext Subbass) 12 pipes
8′ Lieblich Flute (ext 16 Lieb) 12 pipes
4′ Geigen Octave (ext) 12 pipes
4′ Flute (ext Subbass) 12 pipes
51⁄3′ Mixture II 44 pipes & 8′ Geigen Pr
32′ Bombarde (ext, 12 electronic notes)+
16′ Bombarde 32 pipes+
new, on new chest
16′ Fagott (Swell)+
8′ Bombarde (ext) 12 pipes+
new, on new chest
4′ Clarion (ext) 12 pipes+
new, on new chest

Couplers
8′ Great to Pedal
4′ Great to Pedal+
8′ Swell to Pedal
4′ Swell to Pedal
8′ Choir to Pedal
4′ Choir to Pedal
8′ Antiphonal to Pedal
4′ Antiphonal to Pedal
MIDI on Pedal+
16′ Antiphonal to Swell+
8′ Antiphonal to Swell+
4′ Antiphonal to Swell+
MIDI on Swell+
16′ Swell to Great
8′ Swell to Great
4′ Swell to Great
16′ Choir to Great
8′ Choir to Great
4′ Choir to Great
16′ Antiphonal to Great
8′ Antiphonal to Great
4′ Antiphonal to Great
MIDI on Great+
16′ Swell to Choir+
8′ Swell to Choir
4′ Swell to Choir
16′ Antiphonal to Choir+
8′ Antiphonal to Choir+
4′ Antiphonal to Choir+
Choir/Great Transfer+
MIDI on Choir+

+ = additions/changes

Pistons
Under Swell: General 1–4, Swell 1–6, SFZ
Under Great: General 5–8, Gt/Ped, Great 1–6
Under Choir: Set, Pedal 1–6, Choir 1–6, GC

Toe Controls
Left: Gen 1–4, Gen 5–8
Center: Ch/Sw/Cresc shoes
Right: Gt/Ped, Sw/Ped, Ch/Ped, ZIMB, SFZ, Ped 1–6

Left Drawer
MIDI Resource Center
MIDI IN/OUT/THROUGH ports
Sequencer to record and play back

Right Drawer
Memory Level Selector 1–99
Crescendo Selector 1–4
Transposer +/- 6 half steps

Lewis & Hitchcock, Inc.
10153 Bacon Drive
Beltsville, MD 20705
800/952-7473
www.lewisandhitchcock.com

Lewis & Hitchcock,
Beltsville, Maryland
Chevy Chase United Methodist Church, Chevy Chase, Maryland

Like the Sound of a Great Amen
(So begins the description of the church organ in the booklet prepared for the dedication of the new building in 1954.) Perhaps no other single facet of a worship service provides at once so much pleasure and so great an inspiration as does its music. The traditional musical foundation in Christian churches is the pipe organ. Organ music opens and closes each service. It creates an atmosphere of reverence aurally, much as Gothic architecture—often aptly called “frozen music”—does visually. Chevy Chase Methodist Church can be as proud of its inspiring new organ as of the sanctuary itself. In the words of a music critic, writing of the thrilling dedicatory concert on December 5, 1954, our organ “is in every respect worthy of its attractive surroundings . . . It sounded like one of the best organs in Washington.”
This organ represented the height of organbuilding for its time. It had just about everything an organist could want then. But this was a time when music in the church was much less varied than it is now fifty-plus years later. In addition, several things conspired against the organ.
When the sanctuary was complete, it was judged to be too reverberant, and the organ to be too shrill. Curtains covered the organ chamber, and acoustical treatment was applied to the ceiling. We like to say that the most important stop on the organ is the room in which it is located. The organ became a jewel in a velvet box; many of the tone colors were swallowed up.
The organ was also built at the beginning of the “Organ Reform Movement,” when organs were being designed to have more clarity. One of the fashions then was to make the unisons thin and the octaves larger, which, while making the organ a bit clearer, often made them lack body. So many times in trying to accompany a soloist or choir the organ was either too soft or too loud; there was a missing medium level of sound.
Also, many stops seemed better suited to other divisions than where they were located. Couplers helped tie sounds together, but the organist had to do lots of strange maneuvering to make that happen, and it tied up manuals that were needed elsewhere.
When the age of the organ made a mechanical refurbishing necessary, we drew up plans of how to make the organ be the best it could be. The first thing was to fix the room, and that was done to great effect. All music benefits from the wonderful new floors and ceiling.
Then stops needed to be relocated to where they fit best. As the original console could not be expanded, a new console was designed, with all the latest technology available to the organist. Next, new stops were added to fill in missing sounds, all capped by the commanding Trompette en Chamade in the rear gallery.
The result is an instrument that is a joy to play and hear. All the stops are where they should be to perform the literature. A new middle layer of sounds makes it easy to accompany a soloist or choir. And the full sound of the organ can lift the congregation to new heights in hymn singing. Charles Wesley wrote “O for a thousand tongues to sing my dear Redeemer’s praise.” Now the organ does.
Linda Ellinwood was the musician who spearheaded this effort, working with Gerald Piercey on the tonal design. Grey Emmons served as the chair of the organ committee.
Text and pictures by Gerald Piercey; console picture by Randy Walker

M. P. Möller Opus 8839, 1954
Rebuilt by Lewis & Hitchcock, Inc.

GREAT
Chimes (21 tubes, in Choir)
8′ Diapason (new) 61 pipes
8′ Bourdon 61 pipes
8′ Viola 61 pipes
moved from Choir
8′ Flûte Harmonique 49 pipes
new & new chest,
1–12 from Pedal Bourdon
4′ Octave 61 pipes
4′ Rohrflute 61 pipes
22⁄3′ Octave Quint 61 pipes
2′ Super Octave 61 pipes
11⁄3′ Fourniture IV 244 pipes
new & new chest
8′ Bombarde (Choir)
Tremolo
Gt/Gt 16′–Unison Off–4′
8′ Trompette en Chamade 61 pipes
new & new chest, in rear gallery

SWELL
16′ Rohr Bourdon (ext 8′ Rohrflute)
8′ Diapason Conique 61 pipes
moved from Great on new chest
8′ Rohrflute 73 pipes
8′ Viole de Gamba 73 pipes
8′ Viole Celeste tc 61 pipes
4′ Principal 73 pipes
4′ Harmonic Flute 73 pipes
2′ Flautino 61 pipes
2′ Plein Jeu III (new) 183 pipes
8′ Trompette 73 pipes
former Clarion with new 1–12
8′ Oboe (new) 73 pipes
Tremolo
Sw/Sw 16′–Unison Off–4′
8′ Trompette en Chamade (Great)

CHOIR
8′ Gemshorn 61 pipes
moved from Great on new chest
8′ Cor de Nuit 73 pipes
8′ Dulciana 73 pipes
8′ Unda Maris tc 61 pipes
4′ Principal (new) 73 pipes
4′ Nachthorn 73 pipes
22⁄3′ Nazard 61 pipes
2′ Blockflute 61 pipes
13⁄5′ Tierce 61 pipes
1′ Cymbal III 183 pipes
moved from Swell on new chest
8′ Clarinet (new) 73 pipes
Tremolo
8′ Bombarde 73 pipes
former Swell Trompette moved,
revoiced, on new chest
Ch/Ch 16′–Unison Off–4′
8′ Trompette en Chamade (Great)

PEDAL
32′ Untersatz 32 notes
new, Walker Paradox unit
16′ Diapason 32 pipes
16′ Bourdon 32 pipes
16′ Rohr Bourdon (ext, Sw) 12 pipes
8′ Octave (ext 16 Diap) 12 pipes
8′ Bourdon (ext 16 Bourd) 12 pipes
8′ Rohrflute (Swell)
4′ Super Octave (ext) 12 pipes
4′ Flûte Harmonique (Great)
4′ Rohrflute (Swell)
2′ Diapason Conique (Swell)
32′ Bombarde 32 notes
new, Walker Paradox unit
16′ Bombarde (ext Ch Bomb) 12 pipes
16′ Bassoon (ext Sw Oboe) 12 pipes
8′ Trumpet (Choir Bombarde)
4′ Oboe (Swell)
8′ Trompette en Chamade (Great)
Couplers
Great to Pedal 8′, 4′
Swell to Pedal 8′, 4′
Choir to Pedal 8′, 4′
MIDI on Pedal

MIDI on Swell

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

Swell to Choir 16′, 8′, 4′
Great/Choir Manual Transfer
MIDI on Choir
Pedal to Choir 8′

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

Christ the King Lutheran Church, Walnut, California
Knight Organ Company, builder, San Diego, California
Manuel Rosales Organ Builders, voicer, Los Angeles, California
The congregation received the gift of its first and only organ from First Lutheran Church in Monrovia, California at the end of 1968. This three-rank Möller Artiste was purchased by First in 1950 and used in their small chapel. When the large sanctuary was built in 1968, First Lutheran gave Christ the King their 28-year-old pipe organ for their new building. The Möller opus 4300-13 comprised three ranks of pipes—8′ Diapason (76 pipes), 8′ Viole (72 pipes), 8′ Gedeckt (97 pipes), 16′ Bourdon (12 pipes)—and Schulmerich electronic chimes.
When the small Möller arrived at Christ the King, the console, pipes, and pipe case were placed in an open room west of the chancel. In 1981 when Paul Schuricht became organist, it was decided to move both the choir and organ to the rear of the nave. The wood chamber that contained the pipes was modified and placed above the Mother’s Room. A 4′9″ by 4′3″ opening was cut in the wall over the Mother’s Room for the sound of the organ to egress, with 15 new Principal pipes installed in the façade.
Because the 8′ Viole and 8′ Diapason were not conducive to leading the choir and the congregation, Paul Schuricht purchased an 8′ Principal (73 pipes) and a 4′ Gemshorn (73 pipes) along with a new set of 24 Gedeckt treble pipes to replace damaged ones; the new pipework was built by A. R. Schopp’s and Sons, Inc., of Alliance, Ohio. The renovation of the organ—including galvanized pipe for the wind duct, organ cable, chime relay, and the metal enclosure for the blower that would sit outside on the east side of the church—was to cost $3,500. On Sunday morning, June 13, 1982, the dedication service of the rebuilt pipe organ installed by Paul Schuricht, the organist, took place.
By December 2007 when the present organist, Michael Doyle, arrived, the organ had many problems: the wooden Gedeckt pipes’ stoppers needed to be releathered as they wouldn’t stay in tune; because the blower sat outside the church drawing in either hot or cold air, it was difficult to keep the organ in tune; the leather on the reservoir and chests needed to be replaced because it was 57 years old; the stop tabs were breaking off; and the organ had so few stops that it lacked tonal color. In April 2008, the blower was moved into the Mother’s Room, encasing it in a new cabinet that helped to keep the organ in tune.
Bids were submitted at the end of 2008 to enlarge and rebuild the Möller organ for $36,000; Manuel Rosales’s bid to rebuild the organ and add nine ranks of pipe was accepted. Mr. Rosales suggested that Robert Knight of Knight Organ Company in San Diego do the work, and Rosales would do the final voicing and tonal regulation. The specification was designed by the church organist, Michael Doyle, in consultation with Robert Knight and Manuel Rosales.
The rebuilding of the console and chests, and the new chests, woodwork around the façade, new pipe tower, and the new electronics were done by Mr. Knight, with the tonal voicing and tonal finishing by Mr. Rosales. The preparations started on January 19, 2009, when Bob Knight and his crew came to dismantle the Möller organ. The pipes were packed in crates, the chests were removed, the wood chamber walls were dismantled, and the organ was taken to San Diego to be rebuilt and enlarged in the Knight Organ Company shop. On Saturday, January 31, a crew of men from the congregation began work building the new organ chamber walls. Over the next six weeks, men and women of the congregation worked during the week and on Saturdays to complete the chamber walls, install insulation, double wallboard the interior walls, paint the walls with high-gloss enamel, enlarge the front opening of the chamber, and install lighting and a door to the chamber. The organ console platform was rebuilt with hardwood flooring.
The organ has 12 ranks of pipes and 38 stops. The oldest pipework in the organ is the three-rank Mixture that was produced by W. D. B. Simmons in 1863 and voiced during Abraham Lincoln’s first presidential term. The 8′ Salicional and 8′ Voix Celeste came from the 1913 Estey organ at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in San Diego, along with the 8′ Principal, a set of gold façade pipes that never spoke. The 8′ Trumpet came from the 1960 rebuild of the organ at First Baptist Church in San Diego, and was built by Durst Organ Supply of Erie, Pennsylvania. The 13⁄5′ Terz was made by Estey–Aeoline. The large swell shutters were from a 1920 Kimball organ, and the swell motor is from First Baptist Church in San Diego. A newer 1-hp blower was used to replace the old, inadequate Möller blower. The 16′ Subbass was built for a large college organ in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, by M. P. Möller in 1950. The 16′ Trumpet 12-pipe extension is new and was made by Organ Supply of Erie, Pennsylvania. The original 8′ Principal was rescaled to become the 4′ Octave, and the 4′ Gemshorn was rescaled to become the 4′ Spitzflöte. On the back wall of the nave are the 8′ Principal pipes in the original case, along with a three-pipe Principal tower that is new. There are a total of 787 pipes in the organ.
The rebuilt Möller organ console has been rewired with a new Opus-Two relay system, new keyboard and pedal contacts, and has a new tilting tablet assembly. There are now 41 tilting stop tablets, 5 pistons on Manual I, 5 pistons on Manual II, 10 general combination pistons, 10 general toe studs, setter piston, general cancel piston, and one toe stud for the 11-bell Zimbelstern. The organ also has a set of Maas-Rowe chimes that were given by Trinity Lutheran Church, Montclair, California. A family in the congregation gave funds for the Zimbelstern, Voix Celeste, and 16′ Trumpet extension. With the gift of the aforementioned items, the total cost of the organ was $45,050.
The organ was dedicated on Sunday, August 23, 2009, at the 9:00 a.m. service. Michael Doyle, the church organist, played music of Armsdorf, Bach, Buxtehude, Burkhardt, Cherwien, Manz, and Walther at the dedication hymn festival at 4:00 p.m.
—Michael Doyle

Christ the King Lutheran Church,
Walnut, California
GREAT—Manual I
16′ Lieblich Gedeckt
8′ Principal
8′ Gedecktflöte
8′ Salicional
4′ Octave
4′ Gedecktflöte
2′ Octave
III Mixture
8′ Trumpet
4′ Trumpet
Chimes
Positive to Great

POSITIVE—Manual II
8′ Gedecktflöte
8′ Salicional
8′ Voix Celeste
4′ Principal
4′ Spitzflöte
4 Salicet
22⁄3′ Nasat
2′ Spitzflöte
2′ Octave
13⁄5′ Terz
11⁄3′ Quint
1′ Sifflöte
8′ Trumpet
Tremulant

PEDAL
32′ Resultant
16′ Subbass
16′ Lieblich Gedeckt
8′ Principal
8′ Flöte
8′ Salicional
51⁄3′ Quint
4′ Choralbass
4′ Flöte
2′ Spitzflöte
II Mixture
16′ Trumpet
8′ Trumpet
4′ Trumpet
Great to Pedal
Positive to Pedal

Summary of Pipes
16′ Subbass 44 pipes
16′ Lieblich Gedeckt 12 pipes
8′ Principal 61 pipes
8′ Gedecktflöte 73 pipes
8′ Salicional 61 pipes
8′ Voix Celeste 49 pipes
4′ Principal 61 pipes
4′ Spitzflöte 73 pipes
13⁄5′ Terz 49 pipes
III Mixture 183 pipes
16′ Trumpet 12 pipes
8′ Trumpet 73 pipes

_______________________________________________

Lewis & Hitchcock, Beltsville, Maryland
Christus Victor Lutheran Church, Baltimore, Maryland
Christus Victor Lutheran Church has a Wicks organ. The pipe cabinet is on the left side of the chancel, and the console is on the right side. The console had no combination action, and the only accessory was the crescendo shoe. The desire was to add a combination action, and to reunify the five ranks to make a more flexible specification. Working with director of music Dr. Joseph Birdwell, we planned and installed a multiplex relay in the organ cabinet and a combination action with multiple layers of memory in the console, controlled by a full set of pistons and toe studs. The result is a much more flexible instrument, easily able to provide the right sound for the music.
—Gerald Piercy

GREAT
8′ Principal
8′ Rohr Gedeckt
8′ Gemshorn
8′ Gemshorn Celeste TC
4′ Principal
4′ Copula
2′ Octave
2′ Gemshorn
III Mixture
8′ Trumpet
Swell to Great

SWELL
8′ Rohr Flute
8′ Gemshorn
8′ Gemshorn Celeste TC
4′ Flute
4′ Gemshorn
22⁄3′ Quint
2′ Block Flute
13⁄5′ Tierce
11⁄3′ Larigot
1′ Gemshorn
8′ Trumpet
Tremolo

PEDAL
16′ Subbass
16′ Lieblich Bourdon
8′ Principal
8′ Rohr Gedeckt
4′ Choral Bass
2′ Flute
8′ Trumpet
4′ Clarion
Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal
2 manuals, 5 registers, 5 ranks

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