Note: Not extant. Not playable. (in this location)
2008-02-21 - Identified from factory documents and publications courtesy of Stephen Schnurr. -Database Manager
2011-08-31 - Updated through online information from Robert Spalding. -- The organ overhangs the rear wall of main stage. Pipework was visible within, but I had no access to inspect chambers. Console has been removed, and is in storage in another building on campus. Its rolltop was padlocked, hence no info as to condition or disposition. The care taken in storage of the console suggests that consideration was given to a possible future restoration. Blower (Kinetic), with attached DC generator, remains installed in basement. Moller tag indicates last service was performed in early 1970's. I was a student at Penn State in the mid-70's, and likely saw the console at the time, but had never observed the pipework. I have no evidence that the organ was in use then, or since. I leave it to someone more knowledgeable about Moller mechanicals to fill in the likely details concerning windchest design and combination action. I can't imagine there was variation from others built in this timeframe. -Database Manager
2012-01-27 - Updated through online information from David H. Fox. -- The organ was installed in a case that ran across the upper rear wall of the stage with display pipes. A plaque on the front of the case notes that the instrument was the gift of the Class of 1903. The late Leonard Raver, organist, mentioned that the instrument was enlarged until there was no longer any remaining space in the case. A comment on the web mentioned that the console is now stored under the stage of the larger and newer Eisenhower Auditorium on campus. -Database Manager
2012-01-27 - Received via e-mail from David H. Fox. -- "I recently purchased *This is Penn State - an Insider's Guide to the University Park Campus* (2006). On page 64, it mentions that the first organ was donated by the Class of 1914 and that this was replaced by a similar gift of the Class of 1936. The Class of 1904 donated money for an organ, though it is not clear if this was a pipe organ or whether the money was saved for the 1914 organ. My suspicion is that the earliest organ was also a Möller and incorporated into the 1936 instrument." -Database Manager
2013-03-13 - Updated through online information from James R. Stettner. -- According to two online articles in "Onward State" (an online news organization serving Penn State students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the State College community) the organ has not played since 1977. The cost of restoration or additional storage was prohibitive, and the University had intended to literally dispose of the instrument. Outcry from the first article has prompted the University to place the organ for sale on eBay. As of this writing, there are four days left to bid on the organ. One bid of $1000.00 has been received thus far. -Database Manager
2013-03-15 - Updated through online information from Jeff Scofield. -- Note on factory specifications says 'present pipes to be used,' but doesn't indicate which stops were used. -Database Manager
2013-05-10 - Updated through online information from David H. Fox. -- Local newspaper reports that Penn State-s Schwab Auditorium will be closed this summer for a $1.4 million renovation project. "Construction crews will upgrade security and hardware, take out the buildings non-functioning organ, repair the roof and refurbish an office as a conference room that will be used for student activities." The 900-seat Schwab Auditorium was built in 1902 and was financed by $150,000 from Bethlehem Steel Corp. founder Charles Schwab, who was also a university trustee. -Database Manager
2018-07-18 - In July 2018, Emery Brothers announced that they had signed a contract to install this organ in the Philadelphia Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The project will also include a new four-manual console and new two-manual Gallery organ comprised of pipework from the existing 1903 Austin organ at the Cathedral, along with some select vintage pipework. -Database Manager
Stoplist copied from the factory specifications Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded
State College, Pennsylvania
State College / Penn State University
Schwab Auditorium
M.P. MÖLLER, Opus 6425, 1936 - Original Specifications
GREAT (Expressive - 10 ranks) SWELL (Expressive – 14 ranks)
16' Double Diapason 73 16' Lieblich Gedeckt 73
8' First Diapason 73 8' Geigen Principal 73
8' Second Diapason 12 8' Rohr Flute 73
8' Claribel Flute 73 8' Salicional 73
8' Gemshorn 73 8' Voix Celeste 61
4' Octave 73 4' Principal 73
4' Harmonic Flute 73 4' Flute Δ 73
2' Fifteenth 61 IV Rks. Mixture 244
III Rks Mixture 183 8' Trumpet 73
Tremolo 8' Oboe 73
Chimes 8' Vox Humana 73
8' Harp CH Tremolo
Chimes 25
Great Unison Off
Great 4' Swell 16'
Swell Unison Off
Swell 4'
CHOIR (Expressive – 7 ranks)
8' Concert Flute 73
8' Viola 73 PEDAL (2 ranks)
8' Viola Celeste 61 16' Diapason 32
8' Dulciana 73 16' Double Diapason (Gr) --
8' Unda Maris 61 16' Bourdon 32
4' Flute d'Amour 73 16' Lieblich Gedeckt (Sw) --
4' Dulcet 12 16' Gemshorn (Gr) 12
2-2/3' Dolce Twelfth 7 8' Octave 12
2' Dolce Fifteenth 5 8' Major Flute 12
8' Clarinet 73 8' Claribel Flute (Gr) --
Tremolo 8' Gemshorn (Gr) --
8' Harp 4' Flute Δ (Sw) --
blank
Choir 16'
Choir Unison Off
Choir 4'
COUPLERS FINGER PISTONS
Swell to Pedal 8,4 Full Organ 1 – 8
Great to Pedal 8,4 Swell 1 – 6
Choir to Pedal 8,4 Sw. to Gr. (rev)
Great 1 – 6
Swell to Great 16,8,4 Gr. to Ped. (rev)
Choir to Great 16,8,4 Choir 1 – 6
Pedal 1 – 6
Swell to Choir 16,8,4 All Sws (rev)
SFZ. (rev)
Comb. Adj.
TOE STUDS Gen. Can.
Full Organ 1 – 8
Pedal 1 – 6
Gr. to Ped. (rev) PEDAL MOVEMENTS (l - r)
Sw. to Ped. (rev) Choir Expression (bal.)
Ch. to Ped. (rev) Swell Expression (bal.)
Great Expression (bal.)
Crescendo (bal.)
ACTION: E-P Pitman & Unit
VOICES: 28
STOPS: 43; inc. Chimes & Harp
RANKS: 33
PIPES: 2194
NOTES
The organ is installed in side-by-side chambers at the front of the auditorium – back of the
stage. The facade consisted of four groups of 7 dummy pipes separated by 3 wooden grilles.
The console sat in fixed position at the right side by the stage apron with the organist
facing the stage. This is a Richard Whitelegg instrument.
The organ ceased to be used as of 1977. The console cable was chopped and the console stored
elsewhere. In 2013, a story appearing in “Onward State” (an online news organization serving
Penn State students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the State College community) revealed that
the Administration had determined to literally toss the organ out as restoration costs were
prohibitive, and investing monies in endless storage seemed a waste. Sufficient outcry was
heard that a Part 2 to the original article revealed that the organ has since been placed
for sale online on eBay. As of March 12, 2013 – with roughly 4 days remaining – one bid of
$1,000.00 has thus far been received. So it appears that the Moller will be saved in some
form.
Sources: Möller opus list; factory specifications, OHS Database; eBay photographs and
stoplist; Onward State articles.
[Received from James R. Stettner 2013-03-13.]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.
