Grace United Church of Christ To my eyes and ears the organ will ever be the King of Instruments ~Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Introduction Committee formed June 6 th, 2012. The current organ is 73 years old, and in need of repair & upgrades. Purpose: The committee was tasked to investigate the current condition of our organ, determine which organ builders have the capability to rebuild and upgrade the Grace UCC organ, and make our recommendation.
Organ Restoration Committee Members: The 9 member committee is a representative cross section of Grace Church. Members include musicians and non-musicians alike, as well as the Grace UCC pastor and organist. Goal: Provide the congregation with an updated and sustainable instrument while also maintaining the traditional romantic Moller Organ sound that has been an integral part of services at Grace for the past 73 years. With adequate maintenance and updates, our organ should live on for generations to come.
History of the Grace UCC pipe organ The current Moller organ is actually Grace s 2 nd organ. The first organ was installed during construction of original sanctuary in 1906. Hook & Hastings Organ Co.
M.P. Moller Opus 6920 Current organ installed in 1940 during construction of the present sanctuary. 2 Manual M.P. Moller pipe organ. 8 ½ ranks 32 stops Nearly 500 individual pipes full set of tubular chimes was installed at a later date Organ cost (in 1940 dollars) = $2,950 Total cost of project = $48,842.88 Construction of organ chamber in the belfry, preparation of the sanctuary, electrical wiring, labor & materials.
Meet the Organ How does the organ make such beautiful music? What are the key parts of an organ? Where are the guts of the instrument? What makes organ music so special?
Current Condition of the Organ 5,000+ services over 73 years Action of the organ has become slow Deterioration of leather components Pneumatic switching Pneumatic actions for the swell shades
Current Condition of the Organ Oxidation on the metal pipes Buckling of pipe toes Faulty pipe racking Tuning stops slipping Cipher notes
Why should we rebuild the organ? Pipes are irreplaceable Sustainability & preservation Extend the life of the organ for generations to come. Upgrade to current industry standards Expand the tone palate of the current organ I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. -- Psalm 69:30
Things to consider The pipe organ is the heart of hymnody, liturgical music, and the traditional worship experience. The rich, vibrant sounds produced by the organ lift up our hearts as we glorify God in heavenly chords. Can you imagine the Christmas Eve service, funeral, or a wedding without the beautiful accompaniment of the organ? Most organ music is written for 3 manuals. A movable console can be used for special events & concerts. A quality instrument is necessary for future musicians.
The Discovery Phase September 11, 2012 - Organ Restoration Committee first met to discuss our goals for the project, current condition of the organ, and a general timeline. February 19, 2013 Met with Ken Myers, who services & tunes our organ. The committee learned about the features of our organ and its current condition. March 5, 2013 Committee met to review Mr. Myers recommendations and finalize our goals for the project. After eliminating one prospect, we invited 3 other organ companies to evaluate the organ.
Organ Builders Evaluate the Instrument In the spring of 2013, 3 organ companies were invited to meet with the committee, evaluate the organ, and subsequently submit their proposal for rebuilding and updating the instrument. Buch Church Organ Company (Ephrata, PA) Doug Wimer, President Peragallo Pipe Organ Company (Paterson, NJ) John Peragallo III, President Susquehanna Organ Company (Dallastown, PA) Matt Baldwin, President
Buch Church Organ Company August 22, 2013 Proposes updating the organ with Rodgers based hybrid technology; new 73-note electro-mechanical wind chests; 3 manual Rodgers consol and digital interface; replace outdated pneumatic switching; fully refurbish the existing 8 ranks of acoustic pipes; install a selection of digitally sampled pipes. Walker electronic components and voicing are also available (as indicated below). Total Cost: $235,500 - $242,500 (depends on installation expenses, charged separately)
Pergallo Pipe Organ Company August 29, 2013 Proposes a fully custom approach to repairing and updating the organ; design and install custom 3 manual console with updated electronics and switching; install new electromechanical wind chests; replace outdated pneumatic switching with Walker digital components; fully refurbish the current 8.5 ranks of acoustic pipes; supplement organ with 34 ranks of digitally sampled Walker pipes (in order to add fullness to the tone palate of the instrument). Total Cost: $219,860
Susquehanna Organ Company September 11, 2013 (revised early October, 2013) Proposes updating the organ with Allen based hybrid technology; install new electro-mechanical wind chests; 3 manual Allen consol and digital interface (circuitry); replace the outdated pneumatic switching; would outsource repairs of existing 8 ranks to Organ Supply Industries company (Erie, PA); install a selection of digitally sampled Allen pipes. Total Cost: $146,151
Evaluating the Proposals All proposals include a complete rebuild of the current instrument with updates to today s organ standards. Each company proposes updating the deteriorated leathersealed pneumatic parts to electro-mechanical components. All proposals include updating the instrument with hybrid technology, adding several ranks of digitally sampled pipes. Walker is the industry leader in digital components. Their sampled pipes most closely match the sound of acoustic pipes, and is the preferred choice for pipe organs.
Investigation Phase & Site Visits During the fall of 2013, the committee made a total of 5 site visits to churches throughout Central Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland to investigate each organ company's installations.
Goals for the investigation phase Evaluate each organ company and their installations. Tone, balance, sound quality, integration of acoustic and sampled ranks Quality, durability, overall value Customization, professionalism, attention to detail Solicit feedback from organists, pastors, and church members. Decide what repairs and features are necessary for our organ. Determine which company best meets the needs of Grace.
Buch Church Organ Company September 8, 2013 Mary Gate of Heaven (Myerstown, PA) 3 manual; hybrid installation (with 5 acoustic ranks) September 25, 2013 Saint Elizabeth (Mechanicsburg, PA) 3 manual; all-digital installation Pros: Strong electronic capabilities, easily played console, quick installation Cons: Outsourced manufacturing, poor blend between pipe and digital, lacked the rich tonal quality of acoustic pipes
Susquehanna Organ Company August 2013 - Susquehanna Organ Company is established Early October 2013 - Committee receives revised proposals from Mr. Baldwin. October 8, 2013 - First Presbyterian Church (York, PA) 3 manual Allen Organ (hybrid) Installed by Menchey Music in 2011 Pros: Powerful organ, quality workmanship, blend of pipes & digital Cons: Outsourced manufacturing, outdated standards, unproven company
Peragallo Pipe Organ Company September 18, 2013 - St. James Episcopal (Monkton, MD) 3 manual; hybrid installation (with 11 acoustic ranks) October 16, 2013 Emmanuel UCC (Hanover, PA) 3 manual; 52 rank fully acoustic (all pipe) installation Pros: Fully custom installation, hand crafted console, seamless interface between digital & acoustic, easy to play, excellent tonal quality, pedal responsiveness Cons: Not local
Evaluating the Organ Builders November 6, 2013 the committee met to review all proposals and site visits. Which solution best meets the needs of our instrument and future generations of music at Grace Church? After more than 25 meetings and 500 plus man hours, the committee selected the Peragallo Pipe Organ Company as our recommended vendor for rebuilding and updating the Grace UCC organ. Of the 3 companies, Peragallo is the only true organ builder. They propose a custom solution the console, pipe work, and voicing are all built specifically for our church. Their craftsmanship, detail, and professionalism are unmatched.
Attention to Detail Craftsmanship
Custom Designed Consoles
Why choose a hybrid installation? Repair what we have (pipe only): $190,000 Refurnish the present wind chests (retain pneumatic actions). Still need a new console this option includes just 2 manuals. Limits the tonal design & employs outdated technology. Would be far more expensive to update at a later time. Repair & update with hybrid voicing: $219,860 Fully rebuilt and updated to today s organ technology. New 3 manual console with added flexibility & coupling. Hybrid installation for increased tonal capabilities.
Committee Recommendation The Organ Restoration Committee presented our recommendation to Consistory on January 12, 2013. At a special meeting on January 19 th, the Consistory voted unanimously to approve the Committee s recommendation and initiated a series of congregational meetings. Congregational vote scheduled for March 9, 2014.
Testimonials The Peragallos were by far the most organized and most professional in their presentation From start to finish dismantling through the organ dedication the Peragallos were in constant contact with me The Peragallo Organ Company truly fulfilled each of our goals and completed the rebuilding project within the confines of the proposed cost and timeline I truly believe the Peragallo Organ Company will exceed your expectations. ~ Don H., Emmanuel UCC
Testimonials Upon evaluation of proposals our selection committee found Peragallo s design approach best suited to our specifications. An important aspect is the attention Peragallo gave to preserving and replicating the existing architectural details of the historic organ.
Peragallo Organ Company satisfactorily accomplished a handsome renovation project within schedule and our allocated budget. St. James can only be complimentary towards the final results of Peragallo s efforts. Further, as a result of this earlier experience with Peragallo, St. James is currently in the process of contracting with them to add a tubular Chimes stop to the organ. ~ George S., St. James Episcopal Church
History of Peragallo Fourth-generation family business founded in 1918. John Peragallo, Sr., first developed his craft as an apprentice with the famous E.M. Skinner Organ Company. Peragallo has had a long history of organ rebuilding work at smaller churches and in very large cathedrals. Noteworthy projects include restoration of the world famous Kilgen Organs at St. Patrick s Cathedral, and a current project on the Radio City Music Hall organ. Locally, they have completed projects at Emmanuel UCC and First United Methodist Church in Hanover.
Funding the Restoration Process Grace UCC has 3 funds available for the project: M&T Organ Fund Heiges Organ Fund Leedy Fund (Additional information available upon request) Fundraising Goals Replace all funds used from the Leedy Endowment, so that they may continue to support the financial needs of Grace. Additional funds raised during the campaign could also be set aside for ongoing maintenance and future organ projects.
Funding the Restoration Process Peragallo will help us develop a professionally designed and implemented fund raising program brochures, display boards, presentations Preserve a portion of the current Moller console to create a Memorial Wall. Fieldtrip to Peragallo s Paterson, NJ workshop
What s next? Congregational Meetings Tuesday, February 11 Sunday, February 23 Sunday, March 2 Congregational Vote After the March 9th worship service Timeline of project Following the Easter season organ is disassembled, organ console & pipes ship to Paterson, NJ. Loaner organ placed in sanctuary for duration of rebuild.
Skilled craftsmen disassemble the organ pipes, console, and components. Great care is taken to protect the sanctuary and church facilities.
Rebuilding the organ Building process takes place over the summer months Field trip to Paterson, NJ
one pipe at a time.
Installation Late Summer Reinstallation around Labor Day Dedicatory concert - Fall 2014
Samples of Peragallo s Work
Completed Projects
Completed Projects
Completed Projects
Thank you! The Organ Restoration Committee enthusiastically asks for your approval and support of our recommendation. Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. -- Psalm 66:1 2