The University of Minnesota has selected Foley-Baker, Inc. of Tolland, Connecticut, to remove and recondition its Aeolian-Skinner organ, Opus 892. The 110-rank instrument will be reinstalled in the refurbished Northrop Auditorium on the university campus.
The auditorium was constructed in 1928 with nearly 5,000 seats. The organ was installed in chambers above and to the rear of the proscenium arch. The rebuilt Northrop Auditorium now contains 2,800 seats and the organ chambers are nearly directly behind a much-expanded opening for tonal egress above the proscenium.
Except for some physical chamber equipment layouts made necessary by the move and an electronic relay system, the organ will see no changes. Work has already begun and should be finished within 30 months. Dean Billmeyer is university organist.
For information: www.foleybaker.com.
