Parishioners keyed up over state-of-art organ

Six months ago, the organ at St. John the Evangelist Church in Rensselaer was dying a slow death.

David Vredenburg, director of music, knew it was only a matter of time before it was useless, so he asked the parish leadership to purchase a new organ.

The pastoral council, trustees and pastor decided to issue an appeal for money from Catholics at St. John's and St. Joseph's churches. Immediately, a check for $10,000 was sent in.

Quick response

"Once that first check came in, many followed," said Rev. Adam Forno, pastor.

By the time the organ was installed, 213 people had donated money towards its purchase.

"I am amazed at the dedication and willingness of so many parishioners to come forward and get this project completed in such a short time," he said. "Now we have a beautiful new organ."

Back again

Several companies responded with bids for the new instrument; L.A. Carlson Co., located in East Greenbush, was awarded the contract.

The company had also installed the previous organ. In 50 years of operation, the business has installed approximately 185 organs in churches throughout the Capital District, including many in Catholic parishes.

The original organ was imported from Europe and installed during the latter part of the 19th century, said Mark Carlson.

In tune

The new Rodgers organ was installed in October, but it took more time to complete the interfacing between the new console and the pipe system that was still usable in the church.

"The organ has 45 ranks of pipes, which number about 2,500," said Mr Carlson. "They are enhanced by at least 30 ranks of digital voices and three 32-foot pedal stops. This building can't accommodate actual 32-foot pipes, so these digitally sampled 'voices' provide the deep vibrations of such pipes. They're the ones that a person feels rather than hears, the ones that vibrate through your whole body.

"The organist also has the luxury of being able to record the music he plays, so it can be played while he is conducting, as an example. This is a great asset. It frees up the organist to do other activities while the organ is actually playing."

Digital samples

The organ provides digitally sampled pipe ranks from around the world; a host of orchestral voices, including a choir complete with both male and female soloists; and the ability to program music and play it back.

"It is a state-of-the-art musical instrument that faces the future in organ capabilities," Mr. Vredenburg said.

"It will never become obsolete," Mr. Carlson added.

"At the Christmas services, people were astounded at the beautiful sounds that filled this church," said the music director. "I noticed that many more people were singing than usual. I love it. I don't sleep at night, thinking about the possibilities."

(On May 20, a dedicatory recital will be performed at St. John the Evangelist Church by international organist Hector Olivera. The public is invited.)

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