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The Russell H. Wilson Memorial Organ Restoration Fund
THE AEOLIAN-SKINNER ORGAN of
FIRST
PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
GRAND FORKS
,
NORTH DAKOTA
RESTORATION AND REFURBISHMENT
What's
special about the organ's history?
In December 1970, the Worship Committee of First Presbyterian
Church, chaired by Dr. Russell Wilson, chose the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company
of
Boston
,
Massachusetts
to build a new instrument for the congregation.
The organ was delivered in the spring and summer months of 1972.
During its building and installation, the Aeolian-Skinner firm, certainly
the most significant organ building shop of its kind in the
United States
during the twentieth century, succumbed to bankruptcy.
First Presbyterian's Aeolian-Skinner is the last completed organ in a
line of remarkable instruments including those at Grace Cathedral-San Francisco,
Bruton Parish Church-Williamsburg, National Cathedral-Washington, and the
Riverside
Church
-
New York
.
Now, thirty years after its installation
and two years after moving to a new church facility, the John F. Nordlie Organ
Company of
Sioux Falls
,
South Dakota
has begun a comprehensive restoration and renovation of this historic
instrument, utilized by the church and by the University of North Dakota for
organ lessons and recitals. Due to
its heavy use by students in a very wide geographic area, the Aeolian-Skinner
organ has indeed realized the vision of the committee which engineered its
purchase: to make the church
"the community leader in organ music education and appreciation."
The organ has three manual keyboards, one
pedal keyboard, 34 sounding stops, 46 ranks of pipes, and 2,463 individual
pipes. Its current value is
estimated at $485,000.
What's
already been done?
The Nordlie firm has already completed a great deal of work.
The most extensive of this, and the most obvious with respect to the
sound of the organ, is a thorough revision of the winding system, with the
installation of five new wedge bellows and re-regulation of the instrument's
wind pressures. The rewinding was
carried out in part through a generous grant by the Howell Pipe Organ Fund,
administered by the Fargo-Moorhead Foundation.
What
is still needed, and how much will it cost?
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The cleaning and regulation of all the organ's reed pipes.
Over the years, much dust and corrosion has built up on the tongues,
shallots, and resonators of the pipes. Cost:
$5,700
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New manual keyboards. Thirty
years of use has rendered the action of the keyboards very uneven, hence
often uncomfortable to play and prohibitive of the technique often required
in organ repertory. Cost:
$16,000.
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Voicing issues related to the new wind pressures.
Reed and flue sounds need to be brought into proper balance with each
other, and the sound of the foundation stops must be reinforced.
Cost: $10,000.
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A new organ bench. The
present mechanism for raising and lowering the bench's height is badly worn
and no longer functions properly. Cost:
$2,100.
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A new, longer cable to the organ console.
To give the greatest flexibility, the organ console must be able to
move to the center of the chancel area for recitals, organ demonstrations,
and other concerts. Cost:
$3,000. |
Why
should I contribute to the restoration?
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The preservation of the last Aeolian-Skinner organ
contributes significantly to a history of the organ in the
United States
. It is indeed unique to have
this instrument in
Grand Forks
.
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As the teaching and concert instrument for the
University of North Dakota's music department, the organ is central to the
education of new generations of organ students.
Right now, students drive from as far as Williston for lessons.
In a time when increasingly fewer students study the organ seriously,
this instrument plays a major role in educating of the public about the
organ's complexity, its overwhelming beauty, and its significance to
centuries of music history.
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Because of the instrument's new location in the
multi-purposed sanctuary of First Presbyterian, it is possible to include
the organ in concerts with symphony orchestras, chamber groups, and choirs.
The pipes and mechanism of the instrument are also easily accessible,
facilitating educational presentations about how the organ works.
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As it has been for hundreds of years, the organ is
the church's primary musical instrument of worship.
Contributing to its excellence likewise promotes excellence in the
congregation's worship tradition. |
How
can I contribute?
Simply fill out the form, print out the page,
and mail it in with your contribution or drop it by the church office.
Contributions may be made anonymously or by name. The
Russell H. Wilson Memorial Fund has been established by the Wilson
family in honor of Dr. Wilson, the chair of the Worship Committee responsible
for the organ's purchase.
Inquiries
about the organ project should be directed to Dr. Christopher Anderson,
University of North Dakota Department of Music, phone 701-777-2836, or e-mail christopher_anderson2@und.nodak.edu
Thank you
for your help!
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Please
request by email Mary Dibbern's current
calendar and future engagements. MaryDibbern
at mac dot com