Cover
Bedient Organ Company, Lincoln, Nebraska
Sharon United Methodist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina
The chancel of Sharon United Methodist sanctuary soars to a
height of about 55 feet from the chancel floor. However, the ceiling slopes
abruptly downward until it is scarcely 12 feet from the floor at the rear of
the sanctuary. Although the walls of the sanctuary are brick, it is a very
porous brick. These elements combined with carpeting and pew cushions made for
an interesting challenge in designing and voicing an instrument to sound well
in the space.
When the church was built in the 1960s, a large organ
chamber was incorporated into the front of the chancel. Directly in front of
the organ chamber is the choir area, which consists of four levels of risers.
We used the existing organ chamber which happens to be very solid, and the back
walls of the chamber were made from very hard, nonporous brick. Thus the
chamber projects the sound out into the room very effectively.
Sharon United Methodist Church has a very active music
program under the direction of organist/choirmaster/ composer David M. Hines.
Our goal was to create an organ rich in fundamental sound and one that would
generate a wide dynamic range for the various accompanimental tasks it would be
expected to perform. Equally important, it needed to lead hymn singing in the
Methodist tradition. For the
latter we chose 18th-century German instruments as a basic model to satisfy
this goal. For the accompanimental sounds we designed the Swell division of the
organ after 19th-century French and American traditions. All three traditions
provide a broad palette of musical possibilities which are useful to lead
worship at Sharon United Methodist Church.
The front of the organ chamber was enclosed with vertical
oak slats. We designed and built an organ façade of Honduras mahogany;
that is attached to the front of the organ chamber and gives the appearance
that the organ is in a case. The oak slats were cut away inside the
façade woodwork to permit maximum egress of sound.
The organ's key action is mechanical and controlled by a
detached console located at the front and center of the choir area. The
trackers are made of Alaskan yellow cedar, and run approximately 10 feet
horizontally and 12 feet vertically into the organ chamber. The console is of
the 19th-century French style and is therefore low and convenient for the use
of a director/organist. The keyboard naturals are covered with cow bone and the
accidentals are of ebony. The pedal keys are made of oak and the accidentals
are capped with moradillo. The stop knobs are made of cocobola.
The Great windchests are divided in two halves and are
placed at the front of the organ chamber with the bass pipes to the outside of
the chamber walls and the treble pipes towards the center. The Swell division
is located above the Great and is perpendicular to the façade, in the
tradition of many 19th-century French organs. Swell shades open on the end and
two sides to make the Swell very effective. The Pedal division windchests
utilize electro-pneumatic action and are located behind and to the side of the
Great windchests.
The stop action system is electro-pneumatic, utilizing high
pressure air cylinders activated by electric valves to move the windchest
sliders on and off. The console also includes a multi-level solid state
combination action.
The 29 sets of pipes in the organ are combined into 29
individual stops and total 1,550 pipes. Most of them are made of an alloy of 2%
tin and the remainder lead. The pipes of the Great Trompete are mounted
horizontally at the impost level of the façade. The resonators of the
horizontal Trompete are made of 80% tin. The façade pipes are made of
zinc. The wooden pipes are made of poplar and mahogany. The metal open flue
pipes are cone tuned and the stopped metal pipes have soldered caps for good
tuning stability.
Wind to the manual divisions is supplied by a single large
horizontal bellows which is located on top of the Swell box. The Pedal division
has a separate reservoir for each windchest.
The organ was installed starting in February 1999. It was
dedicated on September 19 by David Arcus, Duke University Chapel Organist, who
played for the morning services and performed an organ recital in the
afternoon. James Kelbaugh was chairman of the organ committee. Johnny Bradburn
was a consultant on the project. A CD recording of the Arcus recital is
available from the Bedient website:
--Gene R. Bedient
The organbuilders: Alan Baehr, design, façade
woodwork, assembly, installation, supervision; Gene Bedient, concept, design,
keyboards, installation, voicing, administration; Gwen Bedient, administration;
Ryan Consolver, structure; William Fenster, structure, action, wind system,
assembly, installation; Duane Grosse, metal pipes, assembly, wooden parts,
wiring; Jerry Hill, façade woodwork, assembly, installation, supervision;
Chad Johnson, production control, wooden pipes, wiring, wooden parts, assembly,
installation; Rick LaBrune, windchests, wooden parts, assembly; Paul Lytle,
windchests, wooden parts, assembly, supervision, installation, administration;
Sarah Ohlschwager, financial management, administration; Dan Oltjenbruns,
action parts; Stan Pypenko, metal pipes, assembly; Ed Stibal, structure, swell
box, wooden parts, assembly; Kathy Vaughan, metal pipes; Fred Zander,
windchests, wooden parts, pedalboard, assembly, supervision.
GREAT
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
(1-2 from Ped)
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Rohrflöte
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Octave
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Spitzflöte
22⁄3' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Quinte
2' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Octave
Mixture
III-V
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Trompete
SWELL
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Violin
Diapason
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Viole
de Gambe
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Voix
céleste
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bourdon
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Prestant
22⁄3' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Nazard
2' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Doublette
13⁄5' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Tierce
Cymbale
III
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Trompette
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Basson/Hautbois
PEDAL
32'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Contrebasse
(1-12 resultant, 20-30 from Princ 16')
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
(1-2 from 32', 3-12 Gt)
16' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Subbass
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
(ext)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Flute
(ext)
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Octave
(ext)
16' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bombarde
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Trumpet
(ext)
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Trumpet
(ext)
Couplers
Great/Pedal
Swell/Pedal
Swell/Great
Tremulant
Patrick J. Murphy & Associates, Inc
style='font-weight:normal'>., Stowe, Pennsylvania, has built a new organ for
St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania. A compact instrument of
two manuals and 27 ranks, the new organ replaces a 1929 Möller of two
manuals and 12 stops. The installation utilized an existing chamber on the left
of the chancel as well as modifying the existing façade to create a
striking visual and musical effect. The stoplist includes five stops from the
former Möller as well as some strings and reeds by Aeolian-Skinner. The
resulting stoplist handles a wide range of solo literature as well as providing
resources for hymn and anthem accompaniment, including MIDI capability. The
organ also features a hand-crafted white oak console built in the Murphy shop.
The inaugural service took place on December 3, 2000, and the dedicatory
recital was by Michael Krentz on May 20, 2001.
GREAT
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gedackt
(ext)
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bourdon
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Viola
(Sw)
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Octave
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Nachthorn
22⁄3' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Twelfth
2' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Fifteenth
11⁄3' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Mixture IV style='mso-tab-count:1'>
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Trumpet
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Clarinet
(Sw)
MIDI
SWELL
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Geigen
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Rohrflute
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Viola
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Viola
Celeste (TC)
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Flute
Octaviante
2' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Spitzflute
2'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Mixture
III
II style='mso-tab-count:1'> Cornet
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Clarinet
(73 pipes)
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Hautbois
Tremolo
MIDI
PEDAL
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Contrabass
(24 pipes)
16' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bourdon
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gedackt
(Gt)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Octave
(ext)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bourdon
(ext)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Viola
(Sw)
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Choralbass
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bourdon
(ext)
2'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Flute
(Gt Bdn)
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Posaune
(ext Gt)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Trumpet
(Gt)
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Clarinet
(Sw)
MIDI
J W Walker & Sons Ltd, Brandon, Suffolk, England, has built a new organ for Nykerk Hall of
Music at Hope College, Holland, Michigan. Situated on campus in the studio of
Dr. Huw Lewis, this mechanical-action organ was designed primarily as a
teaching organ. Due to limited space, three stops are shared between the Great
and Pedal divisions, and the larger basses are shared between Choir and Swell
divisions, which share one Swell box. The stop action is electric with solid
state combination and sequencer actions.
GREAT
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Open
Diapason
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gamba
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Stopped
Diapason
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Harmonic
Flute
22⁄3' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Twelfth
2' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Fifteenth
13⁄5' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Seventeenth
Fourniture
IV
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Trumpet
8
Sw/Gt
Ch/Gt
SWELL
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Chimney
Flute
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Salicional
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Voix
Celeste
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Geigen
Principal
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Open
Flute
22⁄3' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Nazard
2' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Flageolet
13⁄5' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Tierce
Mixture
III
16' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bassoon
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Hautboy
Tremulant
CHOIR
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Stopped
Diapason
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gemshorn
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Flute
2' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Fifteenth
11⁄3' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Larigot
1' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Piccolo
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Cremona
Sw/Ch
PEDAL
16' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Subbass
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Violoncello
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bass
Flute
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Fifteenth
16' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Fagotto
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Trumpet
Sw/Ped
Gt/Ped
Ch/Ped
Elmer E. Goetz,
formerly of Daytona Beach, Florida (currently of Bloomfield, New Jersey) has
recently completed a new 29-rank organ for Trinity Lutheran Church of Holly
Hill, Florida. For this instrument, his Opus V, Mr. Goetz was assisted by
volunteer labor from members of the congregation. Built on site, the
two-and-a-half year project allowed time for changes, additions, and
improvements to the original specifications. Several ranks were added requiring
a few design modifications. The tonal finishing was under the direction of
Allan Van Zoeren and Thomas Helms. One of the hallmarks of this organ is a
translucent principal chorus which permits clear counterpoint and leadership
for hymns, canticles, and responses. All pipework came from Aug. Laukhuff of
Germany and Stinkens of Holland. The specifications were drawn up by Mr. Goetz,
with Allen Van Zoeren of Portland, Oregon, and Robert Penn of Port Orange,
Florida, as consultants.
The chest work is all electric action operating on 2.75
inches of wind pressure. The electronics employ the Syndyne Multiplexing
System, which can be programmed directly on the driver boards. The casework and
console are made of solid oak with walnut trim; inner frame supports are of
poplar. Three crosses adorn the facade: one 24-inch cross at the top of the
casework and two 11-inch crosses on the outside towers. The case is 26 feet
high, 18 feet wide, and 7 feet deep. The dedication recital was played by
Thomas Helms on December 3, 2000.
GREAT
16' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bourdon
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Quintadena
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Nachthorn
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gamba
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Spitzflote
22⁄3' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Nasat
2' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
2' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Waldflote
13⁄5' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Terz
11⁄3' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Quint
III style='mso-tab-count:1'> Mixture
Trumpet
Celeste
SWELL
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gedeckt
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gemshorn
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Rohr
Flute
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gemshorn
22⁄3' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Nasat
2'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Super
Octave
2' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gemshorn
III style='mso-tab-count:1'> Mixture
III style='mso-tab-count:1'> Sesquialtera
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Trumpet
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Oboe
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Krummhorn
PEDAL
32' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Untersatz
16' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Prestant
16' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bourdon
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gedeckt
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gemshorn
51⁄3' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Quint
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Choralbass
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Nachthorn
2' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Octave
III style='mso-tab-count:1'> Mixture
16' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Posaune
16' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Krummhorn
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Trumpet
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Clarion
