Since returning to the sanctuary for worship services, many parishioners have commented on the sound of our organ. Several have spoken to our Music Director and Organist, John Jantzi, and have asked if something has changed. Your ears do not deceive you! During the first two years of the pandemic, the sanctuary was not as heavily used, offering a unique opportunity to renovate the organ.
Back in 2002, Marla Lowen, then Music Director and Organist, worked with Lanny Hochhalter, a regional pipe organ craftsman who has maintained our organ for many years, on a proposal to renovate our 1958 Austin organ. At the time, we completed the recommended mechanical revision, leaving the tonal renovation to be completed at a later date.
In 2020, John began to look at the unfinished pieces of Lanny’s proposal, which included an expansion from 15 to 18 ranks. Prices had increased in the twenty years, but we were incredibly fortunate that Lanny happened to have a second-hand mixture rank in excellent condition from another Austin organ! A mixture rank is a set of pipes pitched at different intervals that give the organ its brightness. A good mixture rank is a big deal!
We had some of the funding available in the organ fund, but it was not quite enough. As John and Bingham began looking for further funds to finance this project, the Bergquist memorial gifts seemed like a perfect fit. The Bergquist family have been very active in music at St. Mary’s over the years. Dorothy was a professional musician who sang in St. Mary’s choirs when Royce Saltzman was our Music Director, was one of our choir directors, and composed numerous psalm settings that we still use to this day. Peter was a professor of music history and theory at the University of Oregon. Their daughter Carolyn Bergquist was approached and gladly supported the use of the Bergquist memorial gifts for this project.
Carolyn, former Psalmist and Assistant Organist at St. Mary’s, spoke about how the 16’ bassoon rank in particular is near and dear to her heart. Her father was a bassoonist and Carolyn has fond memories of her father chasing her and her sister, Emily, around the house with his bassoon reeds, making noises that sounded like a strange duck.
This refurbishment would not have been possible without gifts to the Organ Fund and the Memorial Fund. Thank you to those who have given to these funds over the years.
When speaking about the organ, John highlighted that the pipe organ is a wind instrument, like the voice is a wind instrument. “No other instrument compliments singing like an organ,” John explained. “This is why we continue to have organs. They inspire communities to sing.” If you are interested in learning more about the organ or have questions about the organ or the work that was completed, John welcomes you to speak with him after services on Sundays.
