The Church Organ
Largely through a gift made by I. Frida Wolf, it was possible to purchase an organ from Immanuel Lutheran Church of Burholme. The instrument was installed in 1974 by Jacob Gerger & Son, organ builders. It was a two manual three division organ (great, swell, and pedal) with sixteen ranks of pipes.
In 2001 plans were developed to increase the capacity of Immanuel’s church organ. With a gift received from the Gaskill estate and donations from members of Immanuel, Jacob Gerger & Son added pipes with additional components and integrated them into the instrument.
The newly renovated organ has three manuals with five divisions (great, swell, choir, solo, and pedal). A mixture of digital and acoustic components account for nearly thirty two ranks of pipes. There are speaking pipes visible on the face of the instrument. The new cabinetry was designed by Peter Gerger and was built by Klaus Abendroth, a member of Immanuel. The organ can accommodate a vast amount of computer generated digital sound and function. The organ console also allows for future expansion with the addition of an antiphonal division (a small section of pipes).
In 2001 plans were developed to increase the capacity of Immanuel’s church organ. With a gift received from the Gaskill estate and donations from members of Immanuel, Jacob Gerger & Son added pipes with additional components and integrated them into the instrument.
The newly renovated organ has three manuals with five divisions (great, swell, choir, solo, and pedal). A mixture of digital and acoustic components account for nearly thirty two ranks of pipes. There are speaking pipes visible on the face of the instrument. The new cabinetry was designed by Peter Gerger and was built by Klaus Abendroth, a member of Immanuel. The organ can accommodate a vast amount of computer generated digital sound and function. The organ console also allows for future expansion with the addition of an antiphonal division (a small section of pipes).
The efforts and expense incurred in the remodeling of the organ proved to be highly rewarding to all at Immanuel as Dr. James Clements played the instrument following its installation. The depth, range and characteristics of the tones were much enhanced and were readily appreciated by the congregation. At Immanuel music has been and continues to be a key part of worship and remains a traditional form of glorifying God.
A memorable organ concert was performed at the Immanuel Church on April 23, 2005, for the rededication of the enhanced organ. Prior to the playing of the organ the music director, Dr. James Clements, gave a history of the instrument and its recent improvements. Although this project required complicated planning and a large expenditure the results have been quite gratifying to the congregation and to the audience on that afternoon.
The guest organist who performed the entire program was Johanna Franke from Schkeuditz near Leipzig, Germany. Miss Franke, after completing an extensive series of organ studies with illustrious teachers, has won many awards and honors for proficiency in playing the organ. Miss Franke has frequently been a guest organist at the Saint Thomas Lutheran Church in Leipzig, where the tradition of excellence in music goes back to the days of Johann S. Bach.
The rededication concert was magnificent with Miss Franke’s masterful playing of works from Walther Buxtehude, Rheinberger, Boehm, Bach, Mendelssohn-Bartholdy and Weaver. The final selection, a modern style piece in contrast with the other works, was also pleasing to hear.