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Foley-Baker, Inc., Tolland, Connecticut

Saving Organs—“101”

Foley-Baker, Inc., Tolland, Connecticut

Saving Organs—“101”

Times have changed, and over recent decades there’s been added concentration on the complete reconditioning of pipe organs. As many will note, rather than only new instruments, front cover articles now occasionally feature older organs that have been completely reconditioned. Granted, they’re usually high profile, large projects; it’s always great to know these important organs have been saved.

New Organs

Schoenstein & Co., Benicia, California

Mikell Chapel, Cathedral of Saint Philip, Atlanta, Georgia

A small instrument in a busy Episcopal cathedral chapel carries a heavy load of musical responsibility. In one day it may have to serve a small family funeral, a wedding filled to capacity, a rehearsal, and a service. In Mikell Chapel there is daily Morning Prayer and on Sunday two morning Eucharists and a Spanish language Eucharist. It is the main practice organ and often used in small musical programs and student recitals.

Cover Feature

American Organ Institute, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

A revolution in Norman: how a visionary idea is transforming the organ industry

Many in the organ community have likely heard about the American Organ Institute (AOI) at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. Fewer have had the opportunity to experience the institute first-hand. For many years, I have had the privilege of knowing the faculty and staff of the AOI personally and professionally and am grateful for the chance to share some thoughts about this visionary program.

Cover Feature

Sebastian M. Glück, New York, New York; The William and Alice Stack Cathedral Organ, The Cathedral of Christ the King, Superior, Wisconsin

Sebastian M. Glück, New York, New York

The William and Alice Stack Cathedral Organ

The Cathedral of Christ the King, Superior, Wisconsin

The new Dobson organ at Saint Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York

It was an organbuilder’s dream assignment, and a formidable challenge: a monumental instrument in a grand church renowned for elegant music and liturgy—as well as architecture—with the generous acoustics most church musicians only dream of. Because of its high visibility, it was sure to draw high-intensity attention from organists—and others—with widely varied experiences, tastes, and expectations.

Cover Feature

Schoenstein & Co., Benicia, California

Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Schoenstein & Co., Benicia, California

Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Selling the idea

Organ Projects

Case Organ Company, Inc.,

Verona, Wisconsin

Bishop O’Connor Chapel,

Holy Name Catholic Center, Madison, Wisconsin

The Case Organ Company has completed restoration and relocation of Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1204. The organ was installed in Bishop O’Connor Chapel at Holy Name Heights, Madison, Wisconsin. The instrument was blessed at a choral dedication recital with Lessons and Carols sung by the Madison Diocesan Choir and organ solos performed by Glenn Schuster on December 19, 2017.

Organ Projects

R. M. Ballantyne Pipe Organs,

Jurupa Valley, California

Pasadena Stake Center,

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,

Pasadena, California

Cover Feature

Roger Banks,

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Reuter Organ Company,

Lawrence, Kansas

First Presbyterian Church,

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

From Roger Banks

I first heard the M. P. Möller organ at First Presbyterian Church shortly after its installation in 1964. At that time, I was a senior at Oklahoma City University nearby. As one of the newest and largest organs in the Oklahoma City area, it should have been wonderful. After all, the specification indicated that it followed the latest trends in organbuilding and design at the time, yet I remember that, in that cavernous building, the result was much less
than satisfying.

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Emery Brothers, Allentown, Pennsylvania; Stoneleigh, Villanova, Pennsylvania

Emery Brothers,

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Stoneleigh,

Villanova, Pennsylvania

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Designing an organ presents many challenges, many of which are related to making the instrument fit tonally and visually into the building which will be its home.

Fratelli Ruffatti, Padua, Italy

Buckfast Abbey, 

Devon, United Kingdom

The sound

Cover Feature

Bigelow & Co. Organ Builders, American Fork, Utah

Fortieth Anniversary

Opus 42

Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Fishers Island, New York

 

From the builder