History
In July of 1984, then
Director of Music, Dennis W. Reppen, wrote letters to a number
of organ builders. He stated that St. Mark's planned to build a
new sanctuary for which a new pipe organ would be purchased. The
late Mr. Reppen then moved to House of Hope Presbyterian where
he was associate organist and carilloneur.
Mr. Robert Murphy came
to St. Mark's in 1986 as Director of Music. In addition to his
fine talent for directing, he is a very competent organist and
was of course interested in procuring a new pipe organ for the
new church.
The organ committee
resumed activities with Dorthea Jirsa as Chairperson. After what
seemed like endless deliberations, meetings, and visiting
organs, the committee selected Levsen Organ
Company of Buffalo, Iowa to build their new pipe organ. An
instrument of 41 ranks and 3 manuals was designed and proposed.
However, in building the new 700 seat sanctuary, so much of the
congregational financial resources were used it was necessary to
scale back the organ to 21 ranks, 2 manuals. Nearly a decade
later now, the new sanctuary has been completed and the new pipe
organ installed and dedicated.
The organ was built to
eventually be expanded to the original 41 Rank design. A 3
manual console shell was filled the 2 manuals and can be pivoted
360 degrees to accommodate an organist-choir
director. The pedestal of the organ was arranged to hold the
choir organ and additional space was provided in the design to
allow for the completed 41 ranks.
The tonal resources of the organ are scaled in the American
Classical tradition. The Principal chorus and other stops were
scaled large to eventually become a part of the much larger
organ.
The voicing procedure utilized on site voiced sample pipes with
tonal finishing, after installation, by Tim Bovard and Rod
Levsen Sr. of Levsen Organ Company. The metal Flues, including
the Facade pipes, were made by A. R. Schopp & Sons, Inc. The
wood pipes were made by Levsen Organ Company and the reeds were
done by Trivo Co., Inc. An all electric action with micro
processor control system was used for prompt very precise key
and pedal action. Many new features accompany this new control
system.
On March 14, 1993, the
new organ was formally dedicated in a 2 service musical
extravaganza. A 19 piece chamber orchestra, handbell choir, and
40 voice choir participated in the all music services directed
by Robert Murphy. Three organists played during the services:
Dorthea Jirsa and Barbara Rossow, the regular organists and
guest organist Dennis Reppen.
Mr. Lee J. Afdahl, Music Director and Organist at First
Presbyterian Church, Rochester, Minnesota played an exciting
evening dedication concert. Mr. Afdahl, a native of Baldwin,
Wisconsin, studied with William Kuhlman of Luther College;
Robert Glasgow of the University of Michigan and Richard Enright
of Northwestern University. He has served as organist for
Lutheran churches in Minnesota and Methodist churches in
Michigan. He is also well known and liked as a recitalist
throughout the Upper Midwest.
The completion of this
new pipe organ would not have been possible without the untiring
efforts of Betty and Gordon Lundberg. They are longtime choir
members and co-chair of the ad hoc fund raising committee. They
were determined that the beautiful new sanctuary be blessed with
a suitable pipe organ.
Levsen Organ Company
Buffalo, Iowa
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Stoplist
GREAT ORGAN
8' Principal
6l Pipes
8' Holzgedeckt
61 Pipes
8' Erzähler
Swell
8' Erzähler Celeste
Swell
4' Octave
61 Pipes
4' Koppelflöte
61 Pipes
2' Fifteenth
61 Pipes
III - IV Fourniture
226 Pipes
8' Trompette
Swell
SWELL ORGAN
8' Rohrflöte
61 Pipes
8' Erzähler
61 Pipes
8' Erzähler Celeste
49 Pipes
4' Gemshorn
61 Pipes
4' Rohrflöte
12 Pipes
2 2/3' Nasard
61 Pipes
2 ' Flockflöte
61 Pipes
1 3/5' Tierce
61 Pipes
1 2/3' Quinte
12 Pipes
16' Contra Trompette
12 Pipes
8' Trompette
61 Pipes
4' Clarion
12 Pipes
Tremolo
PEDAL ORGAN
32' Resultant
32 Notes
16' Subbass
32 Pipes
16' Lieblich Gedeckt
32 Notes
8' Principal
32 Pipes
8' Pommer
32 Pipes
4' Choral
Bass
32 Pipes
III Wired Mixture
32 Notes
16' Contra Trompette
Swell
8' Trompette
Swell
4' Clarion
Swell |