2009-02-21 - Updated through online information from Richard C Greene. -Database Manager
2009-02-24 - Updated through online information from Richard C Greene. -Database Manager
2011-11-23 - Updated through online information from Richard C Greene. -Database Manager
2019-04-18 - Updated by John Chouinard, who maintains the organ. <br> <br> -Database Manager
Stoplist from the University. Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded
Roseville, Minneso
Bethel University, Benson Great Hall
L.W. BLACKINTON & ASSOCIATES, Inc., 2003 - Original Specifications
GREAT SWELL (Expressive)
16 Violone 16 Gedeckt
8 Principal 8 Geigen Principal
8 Violone 8 Gedeckt
8 Harmonic Flute 8 Viole d'Gamba
8 Bourdon 8 Viole Celeste II
8 Gemshorn 8 Dolce
8 Gemshorn Celeste 4 Geigen Octave
4 Octave 4 Chimney Flute
4 Flûte Ouverte 4 Violina
2 2/3 Twelfth 4 Violina Celeste
2 Super Octave 2 2/3 Nasard
2 Blockflute 2 Doublette
1 Octavin 1 3/5 Tierce
IV Mixture IV Mixture
II Scharf 16 Basson
16 Contra Trumpet 8 Trompette
8 Trumpet 8 Oboe
8 Tuba (So) –- 8 Vox Humana
8 Herald Trumpet 4 Clarion
8 Cromorne Tremulant
4 Clarion 8 Herald Trumpet (Gt) –-
Cymbelstern (prep) –-
SOLO (Expressive) PEDAL
8 Diapason 32 Contra Principal 12
8 Solo Flute 16 Principal 32
8 Flute Celeste II 16 Violone (Gt) –-
4 Octave 16 Bourdon 32
4 Traverse Flute 16 Gedeckt (Sw) –-
2 2/3 Nazard 8 Octave
2 Super Octave 8 Bourdon 12
2 Flute 8 Gedeckt (Sw) –-
1 3/5 Tierce 4 Choral Bass
1 1/3 Quint 4 Flute
16 Tuba 12 IV Mixture
8 Tuba 61 32 Contra Posaune 12
8 English Horn 16 Posaune 32
8 Clarinet 16 Basson (Sw) –-
4 Tuba Clarion 12 8 Herald Trumpet (Gt) –-
Tremulant 8 Tuba (Sw) –-
8 Herald Trumpet (Gt) –- 8 Posaune 12
8 Cromorne (Gt) –- 4 Cromorne (Gt) –-
COULPERS FINGER PISTONS
Not Documented Not Documented
PEDAL MOVEMENTS TOE STUDS
Swell Expression (bal.) Not Documented
Solo Expression (bal.)
Crescendo (bal.)
ACTION: E-P Slider VOICES: __ STOPS: 76 RANKS: 67 PIPES: _____
NOTES
From the Twin Cities AGO Pipe Organ List, “A magnificent 4,000-pipe organ installed
in Bethel’s Benson Great Hall in fall 2003 combines the old with the new in a way
that entertains organ lovers and audiences of all ages. Thought of as the “jewel”
of Benson Great Hall, the Blackinton Organ now stands as the crowning glory of one
of the finest performing arts centers in the Twin Cities.
With Bethel’s Swedish Baptist background, the organ is a historical, integral part
of worship for many of our alumni and friends,” said Bethel President George K.
Brushaber. “But we hope the grandeur of this organ and the incredible music it
produces will inspire a new generation of organ lovers in our students.
When Benson Great Hall was erected in 1994, plans were already in place to someday
install a pipe organ in the front of the hall. Designed for a pipe organ both
acoustically and architecturally, the hall could accommodate an organ of great size
and magnitude that would complete the space. At the time of building, a temporary
wall was placed behind the choir loft area, concealing a potential pipe organ
chamber approximately 15 feet in depth. Up until the time the organ was installed
in Benson Great Hall, the pipe chamber was used for storage of hall equipment and
supplies. Now housing about 4,000 pipes, the organ chamber boasts a total of 20,000
cubic feet of space.
Research for the new organ was started shortly after the hall was built. Even
though an organ could not be installed initially, an organ fund was established for
an eventual purchase in the future. However, no definite plans were set in place
until January 2000, and no contracts were signed until June 2000 when the Bethel
Organ Project Committee contracted with Lyle Blackinton and Associates from San
Diego, California. A host of people were key in making this organ possible for
Benson Great Hall. Among those donors were Lyle Blackinton’s parents, Willard and
Miriam Blackinton, and also Warren and Valerie Eastlund, long-time friends and
partners of Bethel College. All the organ donors shared a common passion for the
aluable contribution an organ would make to the Bethel community and to the Twin
Cities area.
The Blackinton Organ has a total of 67 ranks and utilizes a 3-manual, 32-note pedal
console, placed on a movable dolly that enables the console to be moved on and off
stage as needed. The pipes seen by the audience are all speaking pipes from the
pedal division. The pipes also depict a visual concept. In the book of Genesis,
chapter 28, verses 10-22, the Scripture says that Jacob had a dream while
sojourning, and in his dream was a stairway reaching to heaven from earth. On the
stairway were angels ascending and descending. After Jacob awoke, he realized God
had spoken to him in the dream, and he built an altar and called the place where
he had been Bethel. Similarly, the pipes in the middle of the chamber of the
Blackinton Organ depict the angels ascending and descending the stairway.”
Sources: http://www.pipeorganlist.com/Organ_Webpages/Arden_Hills,_Bethel_
University,_Benson_Great_Hall,_Blackinton_sp.html ;
Bethel University - Great Hall
3900 Bethel Dr.
Arden Hills (St. Paul), MN. 55112
(651) 638-6400
[Received on line from Richard C Greene February 22, 2009.]Regrettably, it is not possible to display the information about the sponsor of this pipeorgandatabase entry or if there is a sponsor. Please see About Sponsors on Pipe Organ Database.