2004-12-21 - Information identifying this instrument from the Austin Organs, Inc. web site, accessed December 19, 2004: http://www.austinorgans.com/organ-research.htm. -Database Manager
2014-02-07 - Updated through online information from John Igoe. -- Hilbus chapter visited the organ in summer 2007. -Database Manager
2018-02-27 - Updated by Frank Wilsey, who has heard or played the organ.<br> I grew up in this church and this organ was brand new when I was a boy. It replaced an electric organ which I believe was called an Organtron, as part of a sanctuary renovation. More recently, I've played here as a member of the Bel Air Brass, playing tuba. We first played here for my father's memorial service, which included some brass and organ arrangements, and now play here regularly.<br> To provide some context to the Hilbus newsletter article, at the time it was installed, it was one of the better church organs in the Bel Air area. Bel Air was very much a provincial small town at that time, as opposed to the exurban community that it is today. The church had planned to raise the roof of the rear portion of the sanctuary (originally the Fellowship Hall) to the level of the main sanctuary, and the organ was designed to fill the anticipated increase in room volume. Structural and cost issues nixed that idea, leaving the church with a very powerful organ.<br> This organ was regarded well enough that occasionally it was used for recitals back in the day. I attended several of these.<br> Today, the organ is played every Sunday for morning worship, and on special occasions such as Christmas, weddings (including my own) memorial services (including my parents), etc. I believe Crosson and Savage still maintains it. I'm told there has been some discussion of adding more stops, but nothing is planned at the moment.<br> Thanks for the opportunity to contribute. -Database Manager
Stoplist copied from <i>The Diapason</i> September 1959 Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded
Bel Air, Maryland
First Presbyterian Church
Austin Op. 2339 1960 2/23
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GREAT (*enclosed) SWELL PEDAL
8' Principal 68 8' Rohrgedeckt 68 32' Contrebasse --
8' Bourdon 68 * 8' Viola 68 32' Contra Gedeckt --
8' Flauto Dolce 68 * 8' Voix Celeste 56 16' Bourdon 32
8' Flauto Celeste 56 * 4' Principal 68 16' Gedeckt 12 SW
4' Octave 68 4' Koppelflöte 68 8' Principal 32
4' Spitzflöte 68 * 2' Blockflöte 61 8' Viola SW
2' Fifteenth 61 1 1/3' Larigot 61 8' Gedeckt SW
III Mixture 183 II Sesquialtera 122 4' Choralbass 12
Sub 8' Fagot 68 16' Fagot 12 SW
Unison Off Tremolo 4' Krummhorn 32
Super Sub
Chimes Unison Off
Super
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