Explosion Results In Flurry of Additions: In 1980, during the tenure of Taylor Harvey (Director of Music, 1975-2003), repair to the organ was needed due to the furnace exploding into the sanctuary through the organ blower, rendering it unusable for about six months. During this time the organ was returned to the factory in St-Hyacinthe for cleaning and necessary repairs, and the congregation secured a used Allen Organ for the interim, which was placed in the choir stalls behind the Lectern. During this repair the main blower was moved from the basement into the organ chambers behind the choir loft, to eliminate this happening again; and the Solo Trumpet was added in the Swell Division by Trivo Pipe Makers in Hagerstown, Maryland (a unit rank of 85 pipes being offered at 16′, 8′, and 4′ pitch). In February 1985, the 73 pipe Vox Humana stop was added and in May of 1985 a contract was signed with Moller Organ Builders in Hagerstown, Maryland, to build a four manual console to include an electrically adjustable bench, digital clock, 4 levels of digital combination action memory, and 20 additional couplers. This work was done in honor of Winnie & George Kitzmiller, life-long supporters and members of the Chancel Choir.

Pipe Organ Installations and Repairs: Of course, they say that all good things must come to an end. Many don’t always believe that, but in this case, they did. When Taylor Harvey retired in 2003, he made his report to the Trustees noting the organ was in need of major repairs. Upon acceptance of the position, the new Music Director, Robert Young confirmed this information through the evaluation of the instrument by Phil Jansen, then curator. For the next five years, the Trustees heard reports and kept close tabs on the condition of the Casavant via reports from different organ curators and the Director of Music.In the fall of 2007, it was the recommendation of the Music Leadership Team to the Trustees, that an Organ Committee be organized to look specifically at the refurbishment of both the Steinway Concert Grand Piano and the Casavant Organ. The Trustees approved this recommendation and an Organ Committee was appointed of Robert Young, Director of Music Ministries, Chip Dashiell on behalf of the Music Committee, and Susan Peacock on behalf of the Trustees. The Steinway 9’ Concert Grand action was completely refurbished in 2007, by David B. Snyder, a nationally known expert in the refurbishment of Steinway pianos. Also in 2007, the Organ Committee solicited bids from David M. Storey Organ Company, Patrick J. Murphy & Associates, Bob Daffer Organ Company, and Casavant Freres.

On February 7, 2008, contracts with Casavant Freres and David M. Storey Organ Company were signed for a total renovation of the Casavant at a projected cost of $485,000.00, with the work to begin in April 2009. These contracts were signed by Susan Peacock, Vice-Chair for the Board of Trustees; David M. Storey, for David M. Storey, Inc.; and Simon Couture, Vice President for Casavant Freres. Jacquelin Rochette and Pierre Beaulac were the Tonal Directors. The Casavant had been through so much over the years, the renovation seemed to go on and on—one matter after another complicated the restoration. Thanksgiving, the projected date of completion, came and went. Advent was followed by the assumed knowledge that at least a portion of the organ would be ready for Christmas. Then Tuesday, December 8, an e-mail from the organ builder that the hopeful use of even part of the instrument for Christmas was becoming an impossibility–the Casavant voicers were rescheduled for early November, then early December, then the end of January. January limped by—one thing after another, the voicers were rescheduled for February. February moved about as fast as the heavy snows of that winter. Most of the Shore was under 3-4 feet of snow, getting around was difficult. Easter was staring the congregation in the face, when finally, even though the organ was not completed, the voicers arrived on Monday evening, February 22, completing their work on Saturday, March 6. Then it began again, the voicers left and work continued on the organ. On Sunday, March 14, a ray of hope came into view when they were able to begin using the organ again. The congregation continued using the organ through Easter 2010 while work continued, and then very late in the evening, Wednesday, May 12, Tom Allen, Electrician for David M. Storey, completed the final work on the Casavant. Like any renovation, this was found to be a long and patience-bending process.

The Casavant Today and Tomorrow: Today the instrument has once again been unified into one voicing style, with all systems updated and working perfectly. The present Casavant has among its controls, a transposer, digital clock, full organ recording system, 4 separate programmable crescendos, 128 levels of digital memory controlling 12 General Pistons, 8 divisional pistons for each of the divisions, three tremulants, and Sforzando. The console has been refinished in the maple color wood that matches the other woods in the sanctuary, with the interior portions of the organ being finished in a dark walnut, with matching walnut draw knobs, and dark walnut colored script on all stops and pistons. Each keyboard is sitting on dark walnut, colonial, Aeolian Skinner key beds, with the naturals being of a synthetic ivory and sharps of dark walnut. The organ also houses a Schulmerich Carillon with six voices available on two keyboards. The voicing of the instrument was performed by two of the finest voicers in the industry, Jean-Sébastien Dufour and Guillaume Deschenes from Quebec, in the English/Symphonic Style, with English Nomenclature. Where the previous instrument was of German Baroque design, being described as tall and thin; the English/Symphonic Style is much more reminiscent of the orchestral style, broad, full, warm and expansive. It combines knowledge of the German Baroque design in organ building, with the Romantic French and English design concepts, and understanding of what makes the symphonic orchestra sound successful. It is a twenty-first century sound that is truly amazing, and doubly amazing when combined with the faith of this parish and its expansive Music Ministry. May God be with these folk as they continue to praise His name through the sound of this instrument and their musical expressions.

Here are some interesting facts about the Casavant:

• The organ ranks in size with the larger instruments in Baltimore,
  Washington, and New York.

  1. The console alone weighs over 2,000 pounds.

  2. There are over 30 miles of wiring in the organ.

  3. The organ contains 3,051 pipes.

  4. The pipes vary in height from about 2-3 inches to 16 feet high.

  5. The entire organ is three stories high.