OUR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

The Chancel Organ

The organ in the main worship space of St John’s was installed in 2008, replacing the 3-manual Reuter organ installed in 1962. The organ was designed for St. John’s renovated worship space and purchased with generous donations from parishioners who participated in the “Lift High the Cross” capital campaign. It is used every Sunday and during special services, weddings, funerals, and concerts.

Built by Berghaus Pipe Organ Builders of Bellwood, Illinois, the organ is a 3-manual instrument with 65 ranks, 59 stops and 3,490 pipes. Originally built with 2 prepared stops, the Positive 2-rank Flute Celeste was installed in 2016. The organ is in a central chamber at the front of the church with a case having a 3-sectional facade containing 27 pipes. In both its stoplist and tonal approach, the organ is a synthesis of classical and romantic styles that incorporates both French and English reeds played from a low-profile, French-inspired console with terraced draw knobs.

Click here for a complete stoplist. For further description, click here to read about the Berghaus organ as featured in the September 2008 edition of The Diapason.

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OUR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

The Chapel Organ

The organ in St. Mary’s Chapel, installed in 1990, is a 1-manual English chamber style organ made by the Reuter Organ Company with parts supplied by Aug. Laukhuff GmbH & Co of Weikersheim Germany. The organ was given in memory of Mary Studabaker Wiecking by her nephew, former parishioner Charles Wiecking, and is used as needed for services held in the chapel.

Loosely based on a Snetzler organ at William & Mary, it is a 1-manual, 5-rank, 8-stop instrument with pedals that has no independent stops or any controls. The keyboard is 58-notes, but its compass extends from GGG up to f’ with GGG# missing. The pedals are a standard 32 note, AGO pedalboard that duplicates the manual keys from CC to g. There are two stop knobs on the right side of the keyboard and six on the left, which have been separately grouped in the stoplist that follows. The two stops on the right side of the keyboard, the Stopped Diapason 8′ and the Chimney Flute 4′, extend for the entire compass of the keyboard. The stops on the left consist of three ranks, each of which is divided (between B and C) into bass and treble, giving six stops. The six stops on the left also have some special mechanicals associated with them. There is a foot pedal labeled “Pleno On,” which puts all six of the left stops on. The companion pedal, “Pleno Off,’ puts all six of the stops off.

The instrument also has a useful echo pedal. The three ranks of the left-hand stops are fitted with two sliders. One of these sliders is connected to the stop knob associated with that rank (or actually, half rank) and operates in the traditional fashion. The second slider is connected to the Echo pedal. This allows the Echo pedal to shut off or bring on any of the left stops which happen to be drawn, without moving the knobs. A Zimbelstern can be activated by toe stud.

The stoplist is as follows:

OUR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

The Gallery Organ

The Gallery organ, acquired in 2002, is an historic 1859 chamber organ built by August Pomplitz and Henry Rodewald. The organ is a 1-manual, 5-rank instrument with mechanical key and stop action. Originally hand pumped but now fitted with an electric blower, the manual compass is 54 notes and there are no pedals. The organ is 11 feet tall, 7 feet wide, and 4 feet deep. The facade pipes are gilt non-speaking pipes. The tallest pipes are just 4’ tall and occupy only the top half of the case.

The stoplist is as follows:

OUR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Our pianos

SANCTUARY

St. John’s boasts a concert quality Mason & Hamlin BB model 7’ grand piano in its main worship space. This piano, purchased in 2007, is used to accompany the choirs, singers, and instrumentalists and serves as the main keyboard instrument for the 5 pm service. Due to the church’s lively acoustics, this piano easily fills the sanctuary for concerts while also supporting congregational singing during services.

CHOIR ROOM

A 6’ Boston grand piano (designed by Steinway and Sons), purchased in 2019, is used to accompany the various musical rehearsals held in the choir room. This piano is also used to teach piano by private instructors.

PARISH HALL

The Parish Hall houses a Boston 49” upright piano, purchased in 2005. This piano, on its own dolly, supports various musical events that happen in this multi-use space.

OUR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Our handbells

In 1982, St John’s purchased two octaves of Schulmerich handbells given in loving memory of Ruth Dunlop by her daughter, Marion Haynes, which were later expanded to three octaves. Played by the Norwood ringers, these bells are featured in worship approximately once each month in addition to occasionally accompanying psalms and choral anthems. In addition, the church also owns three octaves of Schulmerich Melody Chimes. The bells and chimes were refurbished in 2020, and the third octave of Melody Chimes was purchased in 2023.

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We offer five Sunday Services that offer a variety of ways to renew our connection to Jesus Christ, unite our voices in prayer and song, and to listen and learn what God has in store for us. Whether you attend to feel the energy in person or view our livestream on a laptop in Costa Rica, we invite you join us in worship however you're able.

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