R. A. Colby, Incorporated, Johnson City, Tennessee, has built a new organ for Saint Cecilia Catholic Church, Houston, Texas: three manuals and pedal, 29 pipe ranks, 15 digital ranks, 38 stops, 1,753 pipes.
The fan-shaped design of the sanctuary presented unique challenges in determining the optimal location for the new organ. Positioning the organ above the choir area was deemed ideal.
The new organ’s final specification resulted in a three-manual instrument with two enclosed divisions. The design unites ranks from Houston instruments that had lost their original homes. Ranks from three different instruments were selected: the original organ from the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, the organ from Saint Mary’s Seminary, and the organ from Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist (all three originally by Henry Pilcher’s Sons). These ranks, combined with new pipework and digital additions, culminated in the final specification.
The visual design features a suspended façade that serves as a visual focal point. Polished aluminum was chosen for the pipes to represent the idea that each of us must reflect the divine in the world. A custom, hand-carved, four-foot-tall lyre, finished in oiled bronze, is centrally positioned on the reflective façade, echoing the bronze accents throughout the sanctuary and honoring Saint Cecilia’s association with music.
For information: www.racolby.com
The organ is featured on the cover of the May issue of The Diapason:
https://www.thediapason.com/content/cover-feature-r-colby-opus-555
