Some of our Instruments
Organs of the Portland, ME Chapter of the American Guild of Organists
The Maine Chapter of the AGO was established in 1935 by Alfred Brinkler, Portland Municipal Organist and Director of Music at the Cathedral of St. Luke. Dr. Brinkler had earned the FAGO certificate in 1905, making him the first AGO member in Maine. In the same year he was instrumental in founding the New England Chapter of the Guild headquartered in Boston. He died in 1972, having played his last recital on the Kotzschmar Memorial Organ in Portland City Hall the previous year.
And another group, the National Association of Organists, had been formed under Will C., Macfarlane, Portland's first Municipal Organist. In 1935, this organization merged with the AGO, forming the Portland Chapter, and the old New England Chapter became the Boston Chapter.
Edward Clinton Young Memorial Organ
Woodford's Congregational Church
Portland
The organ is Op. 2466A of the Wicks Organ Company, Highland, IL. It was given by Mrs. Lucy Young in memory of her son, originally installed in the previous sanctuary in 1941, and moved to its present location when this sanctuary was built in 1956.
It was renovated and substantially enlarged in 1996, retaining most of the 1941 pipework. Three stops date from 1956. Tonal finishing was by Henry Vincent Willis (1941), Burton Witham (1956), and Bruce Shultz (1996).
GREAT
16 Violone
8 Principal*
8 Viola (CH)*
8 Harmonic Flute*
8 Metal Bourdon (CH)*
4 Octave*
4 Harmonic Flute* (ext)
2 2/3 Twelfth
2 Fifteenth
Mixture IV*
8 Trumpet (CH)
CHOIR
8 Metal Bourdon*
8 Viola*
8 Viola Celeste
8 Gemshorn
8 Unda Maris II
8 Gemshorn
4 Principal
4 Bourdon (ext)
4 Gemshorn (ext)
2 Octavin
8 Trumpet
8 Clarinet
Tremulant
SWELL
16 Lieblich Gedeckt
8 Open Diapason
8 Stopped Flute
8 Salicional
8 Voix Celeste TC
4 Octave
4 Wald Flute
4 Violina (ext)
2 2/3 Nazard
2 Flute*
1 3/5 Tierce*
Plein Jeu III-IV* (1956-96)
16 Double Trumpet (1956)
8 French Trumpet
8 Oboe
8 Vox Humana
4 Clarion (1956)
Tremulant
SOLO
16 Tuba Mirabilis (ext)*
8 Tuba Mirabilis*
4 Tuba Mirabilis (ext)*
PEDAL
32 Contra Principal (resultant)
32 Subbass (resultant)
16 Open Diapason
16 Bourdon
16 Violone (GT)
16 Lieblich Gedeckt (SW)
8 Octave
8 Bourdon (ext)
4 Octave (ext)
4 Harmonic Flute (GT)*
2 Harmonic Flute (ext)*
32 Contra Bombarde (ext)*
16 Ophicleide (SO)*
16 Double Trumpet (SW)
8 Tuba Mirabilis (SO)*
8 Trumpet (SW)*
4 Clarion (CH ext)
*1996 pipework
First Parish Church
UCC
Brunswick, ME
In 1880, the Ladies Organ Society began raising money for the present organ through teas, suppers and entertainments. Among the committee to choose a new organ was Joshua Chamberlain, who from time to time is reported to have played the instrument. Hutchings, Plaisted & Co. of Boston (one of Americas finest organ builders of the 19th century) was commissioned as builder. It was their opus 112, designed with tracker (mechanical) action, two manuals (61 notes each), pedals (27 notes) and 23 ranks. The console was placed against the organ case, under a bronze tablet dedicating the instrument to Dr. George Adams (minister of First Parish Church from 1829-1870). The new organ arrived in Brunswick on January 29, 1883. For twenty years the organ was hand pumped by Bowdoin students. Many carved their initials into the south wall of the organ chamber. In 1903, the Parish was given a water motor which supplied the wind for nineteen years. There were problems, however, not the least of which was that the water froze solid in the winter. In 1922 an electric blower was installed.
In 1969 the original Hutchings, Plaisted tracker mechanism was discarded, as was the reservoir and feeder bellows. Ray Douglas of South Harpswell, Maine installed pneumatic pull-downs, stop actions, regulators, ductwork and console. There were no
substantive changes made to the pipework. The organ gallery (which prior to 1969 had only been deep enough for the organ bench and pedal board) was expanded to accommodate the choir.By the 1980s the modernized parts of the organ were having significant difficulties with electrical contact and pneumatic malfunctions. The Music Committee contracted David E. Wallace, Inc. of Portland, Maine to return the organ to its former configuration and to re-trackerize it. A new console was designed and built, using stop knobs, labels and keyboards from Hutchings, Plaisteds opus 81, which had been installed in Dover, NH. A 30-note concave-radiating pedal board was installed in place of the original 27-note flat pedal board and 3 new pipes were added to each of the pedal stops. The pipework remained unchanged. The 27 façade pipes were re-stenciled by Brunswick artist Hati Modr using the original patterns on the pipes and colors to compliment those in the sanctuary. Gold leaf was reapplied where gold was originally used.
In the early 1990s the choir loft was further enlarged to accommodate the growing choir. David Wallace moved the console even further from the pipes and extended the trackers.In April 2003, the Andover Organ Company of Methuen, Massachusetts was engaged to thoroughly restore the organ. The work included completely restoring the wind chests and replacing the cracked and split chest tables with new voidless plywood tables to better withstand constant heating. A new console coupling mechanism was built along with new mechanical key and stop action. The pipes were cleaned, repaired and checked for proper speech and volume. A few tonal changes were made so that the organ could better serve the needs of todays worship service. The 4 Violina and 2 Flautina in the Swell were made larger in scale, so that the pipes could speak louder and with a quality of tone that would give more support to the singing. Likewise, the Pedal 8 Violoncello was made larger to give the bass line a stronger foundation. A two-rank Cornet, which provides a fine solo sound, was added to the Swell. The blower was moved to the space behind the organ pipe chamber to reduce its noise and built a larger windtrunk from the blower to the organ in order to fully wind the instrument. The original voicing style of the Hutchings, Plaisted Company has been retained. The organ now speaks with new-found vigor much the way it did in 1883.
Great
Open Diapason 8’
Dulciana 8’
Melodia 8’
Octave 4’
Flute d’amour 4’
Twelfth 2 2/3’
Fifteenth 2’
Mixture III
Trumpet 8’
Pedal
Double Open Diapason 16’
Bourdon 16’
Violoncello (4) 8’
Swell
Bourdon 16’
Violin Diapason 8’
Stopped Diapason 8’
Viola 8’
Principal (1) 4’
Flute Harmonique 4’
Flautina (2) 2’
Cornet (3) II
Cornopean 8’
Oboe 8’
Tremolo
Couplers
Swell to Great
Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal
Bellows Signal
Manual Compass - 61 Notes
Pedal Compass - 30 Notes
Great/Pedal reversible (5)
(1) originally 4’ Violina
(2) originally 2’ small-scaled string, now 2’ principal
(3) new; 2 2/3’ and 1 3/5’ pitches
(4) originally 8’ Violoncello, now 8’ Violin Diapason
(5) new
The United Church of Monmouth
George H. Ryder Organ
Monmouth, ME
Built originally for the First Baptist Church of Augusta, Maine, the Ryder organ was moved to Monmouth in 1918 or 1919.
GREAT (61 notes)
8 Open Diapason
8 Dulciana
8 Melodia
4 Octave
3 Twelfth
2 Fifteenth
Gt to Gt 4
Sw to Gt
SWELL (61 notes, enc.)
16 Bourdon Treble TC
16 Bourdon Bass
8 Violin Diapason
8 Keraulophon
8 Stopped Diapason
4 Flute Dolce
2 Flageolet
8 Oboe TC
8 Bassoon (12)
Tremolo
PEDAL (27 NOTES)
16 Sub Bass
8 Uni. Flute
Gt to Pedal
Sw to Pedal
Mechanical action
St. Andrew's Church
G.S. Hutchings, Boston, MA
New Castle Maine
Year 1888
Opus# 182
IOF cat # 102300011
Case
Builder Design Attrib. Henry Vaughan
Console Type Integral
Stop Controls Draw Knob
Pedalboard Type Radiating, concave (not original)
Action
Key Mechanical
Stop Mechanical
Wind Supply Electric Blower
Bibliography Organ Handbook 1992,
Alan M. Laufman, ed,
Organ Historical Society,
Richmond, Virginia, 1992,
ISBN 0-913499-59-5, p93
Great (61)
8 Open Diapason
8 Dolcissimo
8 Melodia
4 Octave
2 2/3 Twelfth
2 Fifteenth
Swell (enclosed; 61)
16 Bourdon Treble
16 Bourdon Bass
8 Open Diapason
8 Salicional
8 Stopped Diaspason
4 Flute Harmonique
4 Violina
8 Oboe
Tremulant
Pedal (27)
16 Bourdon
Couplers
8, 4 Swell to Great Octaves using hitch-down pedal
8 Great to Pedal
8 Swell to Pedal
Accessories
Great Forte Pedal
Great Piano Pedal
Swell Forte Pedal
Swell Piano Pedal
Unlabelled hitch-down pedal, disconnected
Saints Peter and Paul Basillica
Lewiston,Maine
Four manuals and pedals, 53 stops, 66 ranks
Detached drawknob console, compass 61/32
Electro-pneumatic action
Opus 1588, 1938
Saints Peter and Paul Church was inaugurated as a basilica in May 2005 making it the only basilica in northern New England. The present Gothic building, which is Maines largest church and the second largest in New England, seats approximately 2000 and dates to the first decade of the twentieth century when he parish began construction on the site occupied by their first church. That building, dating to 1872, was demolished in 1905 in order for construction to begin on the basement church that was blessed in 1908. The architect from 1904 until the completion of the building in 1938 was the firm of OConnell and OConnell of Boston. Actual construction of the upper church dates between 1934 and 1938 with the dedication taking place on October 23, 1938. The parishs first organ was a two manual mechanical action instrument, Opus 1011 of 1880 built by E. and G. G. Hook & Hastings of Boston. In 1916 Casavant Frères built a three manual organ of 33 speaking stops, Opus 665 for the lower (basement) church making use of this organs façade and pipework.
There are two organs in the upper church, both dating to 1938. The Sanctuary Organ, Opus 1587 is a two manual organ of ten independent stops built using the unit design concept. It is housed in matching cases mounted in the left and right corners of the sanctuary. It is playable from its own console as well as from the main four manual console in the gallery.
The Gallery Organ is a four manual instrument bearing Opus 1588 with 53 independent stops, 66 ranks. Charles Courboin served as the consultant and performed the opening recital on October 4, 1938. Courboin, organist at St. Patricks Cathedral in New York and a well-known recitalist at the time was quoted in the Lewiston Evening Journal indicating that the organ was one of the best instruments of its size in the country, which had a pleasing tone that was royally dignified.
Additional details of all three organs may be found in the Published Articles section of the website in the reprint of The Tracker, Vol. 36, No. 2, 1992 article by Brian Franck and Alan Laufman, The Organs of the Church of SS. Peter and Paul,Lewiston, Maine.
Grand Orgue
Montre 16
Montre 8
Principal 8
Flûte ouverte 8
Gemshorn 8
Prestant 4
Flûte harmonique 4
Doublette 2
Mixture IV 2-2/3
Bombarde 16
Trompette 8
Clairon 4
Cloches du Positif 4
Récit
Contre-Gambe 16
Principal étroit 8
Bourdon 8
Viole de Gambe 8
Voix Céleste (GG) 8
Violon 4
Flûte octaviante 4
Octavin 2
Cornet V 1 2-2/3
Trompette 16
Trompette 8
Hautbois 8
Voix humaine (Separate expression) 8
Clairon 4
Tremolo
Cloches du Positif
Solo Expressif
Stentorphone 8
Grosse Flûte 8
Viole dOrchestre 8
Viole Céleste (CC) 8
Fugara 4
Grand Cornet VII 2 4
Tuba Magna 16
Tuba Mirabilis 8
Trompette 8
Cor 8
Tuba Clairon 4
Cloches du Positif
1Cornet V (12, 15, 17, 19, 22)
2Cornet VII (8, 12, 15, 17, 19, b21, 22)
© Casavant Frères
Positif Expressif
Bourdon 16
Principal-Violon 8
Mélodia 8
Dulciane 8
UndaMaris (CC) 8
Violina 4
Flûte à cheminée 4
Nazard (Stopped) 2-2/3
Flageolet 2
Tierce 1-3/5
Trompette (copper) 8
Clarinette 8
Tremolo
Cloches (Class A-25 notes)
Pédale
Flûte (Ext., 12 quints) 32
Flûte ouverte 16
Violon 16
Bourdon 16
Bourdon doux (Positif) 16
Violoncelle (Ext.) 8
Flûte (Ext.) 8
Bourdon (Ext.) 8
Flûte (Ext.) 4
Contre Bombarde (Ext.) 32
Bombarde 16
Trompette (Ext.) 8
Clairon (Ext.) 4
Cloches du Positif
State Street Choir
State Street Choir with Herman Kotzschmar.
The label on the back of the pictures says late 80's, but it must have been late 1890's.
People in picture:
Mrs. Warren Chase, Soprano
Mrs. Jennie King Bragdon, Contralto
Will H. Stockbridge, tenor
John B. Coyle, Bass
Herman Kotzschmar, organist
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South Church (UCC)
Kennebunkport, Maine
Noack Pipe Organ Opus #146
Installed December 2004
Great
Diapason 8’
Chimney Flute 8’
Octave 4’
Twelfth 2 2/3’
Fifteenth 2’
Seventeenth 1 3/5’
Mixture IV 1 1/3’
Trumpet 8’
Swell
Gedackt 8’
Dulciana 8’
Celeste 8’
Principal 4’
Recorder 4’
Octave 2’
Quinte 1 1/3’
Pedal
Stopt Bass 16’
Diapason 8’
Gedackt 8’
Octave 4’
Trombone 16’
Trumpet 8’
Couplers: GR/P SW/P SW/GR
Tremolo
Mechanical key action
Electronic stop action
______________________________________________________
First Congregational Church
South Portland, Maine
Austin Organ
Opus 2322, 1960
22 Ranks, 1318 Pipes
Wind pressure 4"
Specifications
Great Organ, enclosed
Prinicpal 8' 68 pipes
Bourdon (capped) 8' 68 pipes
Gemshorn 1/2 taper 8' 68 pipes
Dolce, 1/2 taper 8' 68 pipes
Dolce Celeste " 8' 68 pipes
Ocatve 4' 68 pipes
Fifteenth 2' 68 pipes
Mixture IV 183 pipes
Swell (enclosed)
Hoholflote 8' 68 pipes
Viola 8' 68 pipes
Voix Celeste 8' 56 pipes
Prinicpal 4' 68 pipes
Rohrflote Chimneys 4' 68 pipes
Nasard 2/3 taper 2+2/3 61 pipes
Blockflote 2' 61 pipes
Trompetter (English shallots) 8' 68 pipes
Hautbois (French shallots) 8' 68 pipes
Tremolo
Pedal
Prinicpal 16' 12 pipes
Gemshorn 16' 12 pipes
Gedeckt 16' 24 pipes
Octave 8' 32 pipes
Gemshorn (from Great) 8'
Gedeckt (ext of sw 4') 4'
Fifteenth (ext of 8' Ocatve) 4' 12 pipes