Cover
H. J. Ebert Organ Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Plum Borough,
Pennsylvania
St. John the Baptist Church in Plum Borough,
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Pennsylvania, which is just outside
Pittsburgh, got tired of spending money on their ailing 30-year-old electronic instrument,
and as a result of our building a large 2-manual organ for St. Bernadette
Church in Monroeville, just a few miles from St. Johns, asked us to design a
pipe organ for them. Since cost was a factor, we suggested using some recycled
ranks and a refinished console case from our inventory. The console was
completely gone over and new solid-state keying and combination installed. One
note of interest is that we had several old sets of ivory-covered keys, which
we used for this organ.
After working up a specification, we met with the organist,
Mrs. Sandy Bach, and the pastor of the church, Rev. Charles Spickher. There was
no chamber space in the very 1960s building, so we had to design a
free-standing organ. As can be seen by the photos, we had a nice location for
the organ without disturbing the choir. All chests are new, using our version
of electric magnetic valve actions and built-in wind regulators. All case
finishing, pipe racking, expression box construction and minor parts were done
in our shop by John Nestor and Brian Burns. Wiring, relay layout and chest
wiring was performed by Harry J. Ebert, son of H. J. Ebert. New ranks were
obtained from A.R. Schopps. H. J. Ebert did all new flue voicing and revoicing.
This instrument turned out very well. The room has quite a
bit of reverberation when empty, but when filled is just right. All persons
involved at the church were pleased and that makes for a happy organ builder.
Mrs. Bach played the dedication recital on September 13, which was just about
four weeks from delivering her third child.
We feel that there is much to recommend using good older
pipe work. Not only is the cost lower, but also the craftsmanship and materials
that were used in past times could be of the highest quality--it would be a great
waste of resources to throw away these ranks. I once remarked to a pipe maker
that the pipes she was making, which may be just a job to her, would be
praising God in some church for many years after she and I were gone. And this
is the reason for all this effort isnt it?
Thanks to the following suppliers for their attention to
detail and dedication to providing excellent workmanship of all parts supplied:
A. R. Schopps Sons, Peterson Electro-Musical Products, Syndyne Corporations,
Trivo, Inc., Organ Supply Products, Arndt Organ Supply, Inc., and Helmut
Hempel.
We thank the people of St. John the Baptist Church for the
opportunity to be of service to them and God in being able to build this pipe
organ.
--H. J. Ebert
(photo credit: Al Blosser)
GREAT
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
(new)*
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Hohl
Flute (inventory)*
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gemshorn
(new)*
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gemshorn
Celeste T.C. (inventory)*
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Octave
(new)*
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Flute
(12 pipes, ext Hohl Fl)
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Spitz
Flute (12 pipes, ext Gems)
2'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Super
Octave (12 pipes, ext Oct)
2'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Block
Flute (12 pipes, ext Gems)
III
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Mixture
(183 pipes, new)*
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Trumpet
(new)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Krumhorn
(Sw)
Tremolo
Gt/Gt
4
Sw/Great
16-8-4
MIDI
to Great
*
exposed ranks
SWELL
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Geigen
Diapason (inventory)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Stopped
Flute (inventory)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Salicional
(inventory)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Vox
Celeste T.C. (inventory)
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Geigen
Octave (12 pipes, ext Geigen Diap)
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Koppel
Flute (new)
22/3' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Nazard (new)
2'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
(12 pipes, ext Geigen Diap)
2'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Piccolo
(12 pipes, ext Koppel Fl)
11/3'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Larigot (from
Nazard)
13/5' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Tierce (new)
1'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Fife
(from Koppel Fl)
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Contra
Trumpet (12 pipes, ext Gt Trumpet)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Trumpet
(Gt)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Krumhorn
(inventory)
Tremolo
Sw/Sw16-4
MIDI
to Swell
PEDAL
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Contra
Principal (1-12 electr; ext Gt)
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bourdon
(inventory)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Octave
(Gt Principal)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bass
Flute (12 pipes, ext Bourdon)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Spitz
Flute (Gt Gems)
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Choral
Bass (Gt Principal)
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Flute
(Gt Hohl Fl)
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Contra
Trumpet (ext, Gt)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Trumpet
(Gt)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Krumhorn
(Sw)
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Clarion
(Gt)
Gt/Ped
8
Sw/Ped
8
MIDI
to Pedal
Combination action: 8 levels of memory controlled by digital
read-out; 5 pistons controlling Great and Pedal; 5 pistons controlling Swell
and Pedal; 8 general pistons duplicated by toe studs
Reversibles: Great to Pedal piston and toe stud, style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Sforzando piston and toe stud
Transposer: 6 steps sharp, 6 steps flat; controlled by
digital read-out
Swell expression pedal, crescendo pedal
Two manuals and pedal, 18 ranks (10 new and 8 from
inventory), electric magnetic valve action windchests, solid-state relays
Dodington & Dodington Pipe Organ Services, Inc.,
style='font-weight:normal'> Western Ontario regional representatives for
Casavant Frères of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada, has assembled a
3-manual pipe organ for Lundys Lane United Church in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
Resources for this instrument have been blended together from five Casavant
organs: Op. 475, 1809, 2027, 2522 and 2664. Also included are a new Festival
Trumpet and four new Mixture stops designed by Jacquelin Rochette of Casavant
Frères. The chorus reeds on the Great were designed in 1912 by Claver
Casavant for Op. 475. The pipes on the Choir division were designed by Casavant
tonal director Stephen Stoot in 1950 for Casavant Op. 2027. The majority of the
pipework for the Great, Swell and Pedal divisions was designed by tonal director
Lawrence Phelps for Op. 2522 in 1959.
The 3-manual drawstop console is from Op. 2664 built by
Casavant in 1962. The manual windchests are primarily pitman action located in
a large chamber high at the front of the church stretching the full width of
the "shoe-box" designed sanctuary. This excellent location for the
organ permits uninhibited sound transmission directly over the chancel and down
the nave. The plaster-covered chamber walls and ceiling provide an excellent
encasement for the pipes for optimum focus of sound. The recently installed air
conditioning system will help provide a stable tuning environment for Canadas
radical climate changes.
The dedication for this instrument is scheduled for April,
2003 and the inaugural recital will be given on May 9, 2003 by Frederick Swann.
--Dodington & Dodington Pipe Organ Services Inc.
GREAT (Op. 2522 and 475)
12 stops, 18 ranks, 1086 pipes
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Rohrflöte
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gemshorn
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Octave
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Harmonic
Flute
22/3' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Octave Quint
2'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Super
Octave
11/3'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Fourniture IV
(new)
2/3'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Scharff
IV (new)
16
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Double
Trumpet (Op. 475)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Trumpet
(Op. 475)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Festival
Trumpet (Fanfare) (new)
SWELL (Op. 2522)
13 stops, 15 ranks, 868 pipes
16' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bourdon
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Geigen
Principal
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gedeckt
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Viola
da Gamba
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Voix
Celeste (GG)
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Flauto
Traverso
2' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Octave
2'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Plein
Jeu III
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Contra
Fagotto
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Trompette
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Oboe
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Clarion
Tremulant
Sub
Super
CHOIR - enclosed (Op. 2027)
5 stops, 5 ranks, 328 pipes
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Rohrflöte
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Erzahler
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Erzahler
Celeste (TC)
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Prestant
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Trumpet
Tremulant
Unison
Off
Sub
Super
Carillon
POSITIV (floating) (Op. 2027 and 1809) 7 stops, 11 ranks,
699 pipes
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bourdon
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bachflöte
2' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Blockflöte
II
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Sesquialtera
22/3 / 13/5
1'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Zimbel
IV
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Krummhorn
Tremulant
FANFARE
(3 stops, 1 rank, 85 pipes)
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Festival
Trumpet (new)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Festival
Trumpet (new)
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Festival
Trumpet (new)
PEDAL (Op. 2522 and 2027)
14 stops, 17 ranks, 284 pipes
32' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Resultant
16' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Contrebasse
16' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bourdon
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bourdon
Douce
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gedeckt
(Sw)
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Soubasse
(Ch)
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Stopped
Flute
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Choral
Bass
22/3' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Mixture IV (new)
16' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bombarde
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Trombone
(Ch)
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Trumpet
(new)
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Clarion
(new)
Fowler Organ Company,
Lansing, Michigan, has rebuilt the organ at St. John Lutheran Church, Marion
Springs, Michigan. Originally built by Robert Fouser of Birmingham, Michigan,
in 1960, the organ comprises two manuals and pedal, 4 ranks. St. Johns is a
small country church, a "gothic" influenced white frame structure
with bell tower and a simple but dignified interior with pine floor and clear
windows with antique glass pains. Fowler Organ Company has cared for the Fouser
organ for 20 years and was commissioned to rebuild it, which resulted in
replacing just about everything except the pipework and case. The case was
restored, fitted with improved service access, and refinished with two shades
of ivory with gold accents. The expression shades, behind the façade,
are finished in deep blue which offsets the polished tin pipes of the 4'
Principal. The console is integral with the case and was fitted with new
keyboards and stop jambs using natural finished mahogany to complement the
ivory casework.
The operating system is now solid state which affords
superior reliability and provides for the convenience of a transposer control.
A simple combination action having 8 general pistons and 8 memory levels is
also provided. Expression is direct mechanical, and the windchest action is
electro-mechanical.
Voicing of the four existing ranks required some re-scaling
to achieve a more balanced blend, and the façade pipes were hand
polished and lacquered to prevent discoloration. The voicing style is decidedly
North German, as was the original, which suits the congregations musical
heritage.
Given the churchs small size and nicely resonant acoustic,
this small instrument easily fills the space. The tonal design, while unified
much more than we would normally prefer, affords a good palette of color for
interpretation of historic literature. In addition to the four completed ranks,
space is provided for the addition of a reed.
--Brian Fowler
GREAT
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Violone
(TC)
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal*
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gedeckt
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Octave
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Rohrflute
22/3' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Nazard
2' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Blockflute
III style='mso-tab-count:1'> Mixture
Preparation
Sw/Gt
SWELL
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gedeckt
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Viola
da Gamba
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Prestant
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Rohrflute
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Viola
2' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal
11/3' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Quinte
Preparation
Tremulant
PEDAL
16' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Bourdon
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Octave*
8' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Gedeckt
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Viola
da Gamba
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Choralbass
4' style='mso-tab-count:1'> Flute
II style='mso-tab-count:1'> Rauschquinte
Preparation
Gt/Ped
Sw/Ped
*first octave derived of 8' Gedeckt and 8 Viola da Gamba in
unison
Cymbelstern, 4 bells, reversible
Summary
16'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Rohr
Gedeckt, 92 pipes, 1-32 wood,
balance 50% tin
8'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Viola,
68 pipes, 50%
4'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Principal,
68 pipes, 70% tin, in façade
11/3'
style='mso-tab-count:1'> Quinte, 54 pipes,
50% tin
