Wadewitz Organ | |
| Wadewitz Memorial Organ Dedication, June 24, 1951 The new organ has been built by M. P. Moller, Inc., of Hagerstown, Maryland, world's largest builders of pipe organs. The specifications of the instrument and console design were developed by Henry Beard, midwestern representative of the builder, after a thorough study of the church plans and acoustical and musical needs to be met. There are 25 stops, including 30 independent ranks and more than 2,000 pipes. There are also a set of 21 Deagan Chimes, struck with hardwood hammers, and a Maas Harp.
The organ embodies a solid foundation of tone, such as is found in the fine old classic instruments of Europe, and in addition contains a wealth of the beautiful and inspiring voices which have been developed since those organs were built. American organs are among the most colorful and flexible in the world today, due largely to the progressiveness of American organists and builders. This new instrument is an excellent example of the combination of sound tonal principles with fine engineering. This is a three-manual organ: there are three- keyboards for the hands and one for the feet. It is thus really four complete organs in one, each with its own separate keyboard. The pipes of the organ are placed in three expression chambers in the organ loft in the upper left side of the chancel, and the console is placed on the chancel floor opposite. Expression is obtained by means of a series of swell shades or shutters placed directly behind the grilles of the organ loft; these are controlled by expression pedals in the console, allowing the organist complete control of the expressive power of the entire organ. An organ stop includes a separate pipe for each note on the keyboard and is comparable to an individual player in an orchestra. Organ tone is divided into four families: Diapason, Flute, String, and Reed. Each family exists in countless variations, and there are representatives of each at many pitches and dynamic intensities. The Diapason family is the fundamental organ tone, unlike anything else in music and peculiar to the organ. In this instrument it includes nearly half of the ranks of pipes which blend together to form a thrilling Diapason Chorus. Flutes exist in all pitches and intensities too, and this family includes some of the most charming and piquant tones. The Strings are not meant to be imitative of orchestra strings, yet they are harmonically similar and form the rich vibrant tonal background for the organ that they do for the orchestra. The Reed family is one of the most interesting to the layman. It consists of two types: the chorus reeds and the imitative or orchestral reeds. The tones are actually produced by vibrating tongues of brass set into the base of the pipes. Imitative reeds include such voices as the Clarinet, Oboe, Vox Humana, Bassoon, French and English Horns, etc. The chorus group is the brass of the organ. Included here are such stops as the Trumpets, Trombones, and Clarions. They produce a blaze of power and fiery color unobtainable in any other way and, with the Diapason Chorus, form the basic ensemble elements of the full organ. The Pedal organ provides the bass for the entire instrument. It was originally desired to use bass pipes too large to be played by the fingers on the old mechanical actions, and so they were arranged to be played from keys which could be operated by the feet. With our modem electric actions such manpower is no longer necessary. This feature, however, has become so useful a component of organ playing that it has been retained. The music for the Pedal organ is written on a third staff below the usual two for the hands. A complete coupler system is provided, enabling the organist to combine the sections of the organ electrically and affording him great flexibility in registration of the various stops. The combination action is operated by pistons placed between the keyboards and above the pedal board. These pistons are instantly adjustable by the organist and enable him to change the stops and couplers immediately to any prearranged combination. They function quietly and efficiently and are absolutely indispensable to modern organ control. The wind pressure to blow the pipes and operate the action is provided by a five horsepower motor and centrifugal blower placed in the basement. This unit also operates a generator to provide low voltage direct current for the electro-pneumatic action. In short, no effort has been spared to provide the church with an organ that will be a source of uplift and inspiration to the congregation and community for many years to come. It has been built to the highest standards and of the best materials throughout, and is capable of performing as a church organ or as a concert organ of first caliber. Rededication of Wadewitz Memorial Organ, May 7, 2000 |
 
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