Organ of the Bryn Athyn Cathedral

The organ of Bryn Athyn cathedral was a combination and extension of two authentic skinner pipe organs from the 1920s with new pipes and action from Kegg pipe organ builders. The organ was assembled in 2014 and funded by Fred Haas. It has 4 manuals, 46 ranks, 3230 pipes, and 57 stops, and is the largest and most exciting organ in the area.

## History

The history of the organ dates back to the 1920s. Skinner opus 574 circa 1925, and skinner opus 682 circa 1972, made for Monumental Church in Richmond and Church of the Epiphany in Danville, respectively. Opus 682 was put up for sale in 2011, and 574 at a unknown time. At some point, both organs came into possession of Kegg pipe organ builders. Following the death of Chara Aurora Cooper Haas, Frederck Hass and the Wyncote Foundation funded the organ in their honor. The instrument is still internally known as the Chara Aurora Cooper Haas Pipe Organ.

Following the commission, Kegg organ builders performed a complete restoration of the skinner pipes, and also made new ranks to expand the skinner work to fit the large nave, and the addition of the celestial division, located in the church tower and speaks down into the crossing. Some other stops were outsourced from other organs, the French horn from opus 394 (1922), the harp from Aeolian opus 1744 (1929) and the tower chimes from a WWII memorial (1948). The electro-pneumatic action and console are new from Kegg, the latter hand carved in oak to match the pulpit, with Corinthian columns and rosewood keys all hand carved.

It is a interesting note that Ernest skinner made a proposal for a "large organ" for the cathedral, that was never built due to the outset of WWI. The disposition is apparently quite similar to the current disposition listed below, but has not been uncovered yet. As this organ was never made, a tracker organ from the Schlicker company of 3 manuals and pedal was installed in the back balcony, with a antiphonal pipe façade in the place of the current organ. This was moved to another church, and was replaced by a Allen digital organ, which still remains in the balcony and can be used to dialogue with the pipe organ near the front of the church.

## Description

The main organ case is located behind two tall arches under the tower. This placement is possible due to the lack of a transept. The entire organ case is located above the ground to allow access to the church lobby. The pipe façade consists of four flats of 5 pipes each, coming from the great 16' violone. The bottom and top of the case are open and covered with wood carvings to allow the sound out. The four manual console is moveable, but usually lives around the front of the church.

Behind the façade, the organ is divided into 4 quadrants. The bottom right of the organ case consists of the great, with the un-enclosed chest placed in front of the expression enclosure. The bottom left consists of the swell, it's box extends higher then that of the great. Above the great is the choir swell box, and above the swell is a un-enclosed chamber that holds the harp, chimes, and trebles of the pedal unit ranks. The basses of these 2 units are behind the organ. Winding equipment lives under the great & swell, as well as in the unenclosed chamber.

## Disposition

Wind pressures-

*Flutes and low pressure reeds 6"*

*French Horn, Choir Tuba, Flauto Mirabalis, Gross Gambe & Celeste 10"*

*Celestial Tuba 20"*

### Great (II)

Un-enclosed section
 Bourdon
 First diapason
 Chimes

*See below for data for all of great.*

13 Stops, 10 ranks, 3 transmissions/extensions.

### Choir (I)

9 Stops, 8 Ranks, 0 transmissions/extensions.

### Swell (III)

14 Stops,18 ranks, 0 transmissions/extensions.

### Celestial (IV)

The Celestial organ is located in the top of the church tower.

13 Stops, 8 ranks, 4 transmissions/extensions.

### Pedal

11 Stops, 2 Ranks, 9 transmissions/extensions.