2006-01-03 - Identified through information adapted from <i>E. M. Skinner/Aeolian-Skinner Opus List</i>, by Sand Lawn and Allen Kinzey (Organ Historical Society, 1997), and included here through the kind permission of Sand Lawn: <br><i> Rebuild of E. M. Skinner Opus 309 (1920); solid-state combination action.</i> -Database Manager
2007-08-07 - Updated through online information from Lloyd Randall. -- The following information is a condensation of material found on the church's website. For 50 years, the Skinner organ served the church well. It was rebuilt in the early 1970's and expanded by the Humphries Organ Co. of Bergholtz, N.Y. At the time, two new openings were made between the organ chamber and the sanctuary and part of the Great was exposed, in keeping with historial traditions of organ building. The old leathers, which had dried out, causing many air leaks, were replaced by a new magnetic action (see my notes at the end of this extract). Nineteen stops, fourteen ranks and 813 pipes were added. The renovated instrument was dedicated in 1975. In the 1980's, parts of the organ not rebuilt earlier continued to deteriorate and the combination action became undependable and finally ceased to function. This time, the air supply was rebuilt and a computerized action as well as sixteen stops, seven ranks and 384 pipes were added. The total instrument was carefully voiced. This work was done by a local craftsman, William Hatzenbuhler. The organ was rededicated in 1988. Both Humphries and Hatzenbuhler are known to me. The former was doing work at First Baptist Church (Hall, 1938); the Swell action had been replaced with a direct electric mechanism. I was organist-music director for a time in 1968 and 1969 during which a water leak destroyed most of the choir division located above the Baptistry. The pipes were salvageable but I believe most of the rest was not. I have e-mailed First Pres identifying myself and have requested further details on the EM Skinner-Humphreies-Hatzenbuhler! -Database Manager
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