Sunday, September 25, 2011

Decatur Presbyterian Church - New Console



We are pleased to announce the newly completed four manual console for Decatur Presbyterian Church. This console features quartersawn white oak, American black walnut, ebony and rosewood. 160 stops controlled by the IOTI Virtuoso system and keys with bone and ebony coverings. We are happy to present 'Amelia' to Decatur Presbyterian Church and the world.

Monday, March 14, 2011

South Highland Presbyterian Church


South Highland Presbyterian Church chapel - Birmingham, Alabama

The E. M. Skinner organ company built in 1926 its Opus 576 for the Ensley-Highland Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama. The instrument served this congregation, with some changes, until the church was closed by the Presbytery in 1991. The organ lanquished in a crumbling building until South Highland Presbyterian was afforded the ability to obtain the pipe organ. We were contracted by South Highland to remove this instrument to our shop and present a proposal to South Highland Presbyterian for its future.

The chapel at South Highland is one of considerable charm, and fine musicial potential. The current status of the electronic organ warranted its replacement. With the Skinner organ now in the possession of South Highland, it seemed a logical choice to install in the chapel. We were honored to have been contracted by South Highland to build a new chapel organ for them utilizing the Skinner organ as a resource.

Given the different requirements for installation, and the condition of the Skinner chests, new windchests will be built in a sympathetic style to those of E. M. Skinner. In this instrument, the existing console and keyboards will be retained. The Great organ will be located on the Gallery wall, along the center axis of the room for proper tonal egress. This division will feature a new Principal chorus of high content tin for a refined and elegant sound. The Swell and Pedal organs will be located in the chancel area. All the pipes, old and new, will reflect our belief that every pipe should speak with a rich, full sound that blends with others. It is sounds like these that best work with and support the human voice.

South Highland Presbyterian Church, Chapel
Robert I. Coulter - Organbuilders
Opus 9
Skinner Organ Company
Opus 576
II - 23


Great Organ

16' Lieblich Gedeckt
8' Principal (tin, en facade)
8' Chimney Flute (extension)
8' Salicional (Swell)
8' Voix Celeste (Swell)
4' Octave
4' Flute Harmonic (Swell)
2 2/3' Twelfth
2' Fifteenth
1 3/5' Seventeenth
III-IV - Mixture (1 1/3')
16' Contre Trompette
8' Trompette (extension)
8' Flugelhorn (Swell)
Tremulant

Swell Organ
8' Salicional
8' Voix Celeste (tenor c)
8' Aeoline
8' Aeoline Celeste (tenor c)
8' Gedeckt
4' Principal
4' Flute Harmonic
2 2/3' Nazard
2' Flautino
1 3/5' Tierce
8' Trompette (Great)
8' Flugelhorn
Tremulant

Pedal Organ
32' Resultant
16' Subbass
16' Lieblich Gedeckt (Great)
8' Octave
8' Bourdon (extension)
8' Gedeckt (Swell)
4' Choral Bass (extension)
4' Flute Harmonic (Swell)
16' Contre Trompette (Great)
8' Trompette (Great)
8' Flugelhorn (Swell)

Monday, January 10, 2011


Decatur Presbyterian Church - Atlanta, Georgia


Beginning in 2004, we were asked by Organist-Choirmaster Matthew McMahan to care for the two Austin organs at Decatur Presbyterian Church. The sanctuary organ being from 1974 and of 58 ranks. An immediate concern was the rapid deterioration of the Austin console.

A plan was soon thereafter put forward for replacement of the Austin console with a new, four manual draw knob console. This console will feature the Integrated Organ Technologies Virtuoso control system. The white oak exterior will be finished and outfitted to both blend with and enhance the sanctuary. The console will also feature Syndyne draw knob units for an elegant feel, along with tracker touch keys.

Along with the plans for a console, we began working with Mr. McMahan for revisions and additions to the tonal scheme. The instrument, while effective in the performance of some literature, needed enhancement for choral accompaniment and even for congregational singing. To that end, limited digital voice additions were made in the 1990's in an attempt to round out the ensemble.

Working in complete conjunction with Mr. McMahan, we have devised a new specification, with additions and judicious revisions to existing resources to make an instrument that is eclectic, as well as versatile and suitable for any setting. As with all of our instruments, we strive for a cohesive ensemble sound that is made of individual stops of independent character, but that all strive for a relaxed, singing style. In this manner, different colors enhance rather than compete with each other, coming together into what we believe are exciting ensemble instruments.

Decatur Presbyterian Church
Austin Organ Company, Opus 2561
Robert I. Coulter - Organbuilders
Opus 8
IV - 87

Great Organ
16' Principal (ext, Spitz Principal)
8' Octave (Pedal)
8' Open Diapason
8' Spitz Principal (Choir)
8' Gemshorn
8' Harmonic Flute
8' Bourdon
4' Octave
4' Spitz Flute
2 2/3' Twelfth
2' Super Octave
1 3/5' Seventeenth
IV Fourniture (1 1/3')
III Cymbale (1/2')
16' Trombone
8' Tromba (extension)
4' Clarion (extension)
8' Harmonic Tuba (Choir)
V Grand Chorus (Choir)
8' Fanfare Trompettes (Swell & Choir, Melody only)
Chimes

Positiv Organ
16' Gedackt
8' Erzahler
8' Nason Flute
8' Gedackt (extension)
8' Flauto Dolce
8' Flute Celeste
4' Principal
4' Koppel Flute
2' Block Flute
1' Sifflute
II Tertian (1 1/3' & 1 3/5')
III-IV Scharff (1')
16' Kontra Fagott
8' Krummhorn
8' Fagott (extension)
Tremulant

Pedal Organ
32' Violone (WTD)
32' Bourdon (Resultant)
16' Open Diapason
16' Principal (Great)
16' Bourdon (Choir)
16' Bourdon Doux (Swell)
16' Gedackt (Positiv)
16' Holz Gedeckt (Gallery)
10 2/3' Quint (from Principal)
8' Octave
8' Spitz Principal (Choir)
8' Doppel Flute (Choir)
8' Flute a Cheminee (Swell)
8' Erzahler (Positiv)
4' Choral Bass
4' Nachthorn
2' Cor d'Nuit (extension)
IV Mixture (2 2/3')
32' Contra Bombarde (WTD)
32' Contra Fagotto (WTD)
16' Bombarde
16' Trombone (Great)
16' Contre Basson (Swell)
16' Kontra Fagott (Positiv)
8' Trompette (extension)
8' Trumpet (Great)
8' Basson (Swell)
8' Harmonic Tuba (Choir)
8' Fanfare Tuba (Gallery)
4' Clairon (Great)
4' Basson (Swell)

Swell Organ
16' Bourdon Doux
8' Violin Diapason
8' Salicional (slotted)
8' Voix Celeste (slotted, GG)
8' Flute a Cheminee (extension)
4' Principal
4' Flute Harmonique
2 2/3' Nazard
2' Quarte de Nazard
1 3/5' Tierce
III-V Plein Jeu (2')
16' Contre Basson (extension)
8' Trompette
8' Basson
4' Clairon
8' Voix Humane
8' Harmonic Tuba (Choir)
Tremulant
V Grand Chorus (Choir)
8' Fanfare Trompettes (Swell & Choir Chorus reeds at 8')

Choir Organ
16' Bourdon
8' Octave (Pedal)
8' Spitz Principal
8' Viola d'Gambe
8' Viola Celeste
8' Doppel Flute (extension)
4' Principal
4' Triangular Flute
2 2/3' Nazard
2' Doublette
2' Octavin (Harmonic)
1 3/5' Tierce
IV Choral Mixture (2')
16' Kontra Fagott (Positiv)
8' Trompette
8' Fagott (Positiv)
8' English Horn
8' Clarinet (free reed)
8' Harmonic Tuba (high pressure)
V Grand Chorus (8', 4', 2 2/3', 2', 1 3/5')
8' Fanfare Trompettes (Swell & Grand Choeur)
Tremulant

Gallery Organ (floating)
16' Holz Gedeckt
8' Principal
8' Gedeckt (extension)
4' Octave
4' Flute Harmonique (WTD)
2' Super Octave
III Mixture (1 1/3')
8' Fagotto (WTD)
8' Fanfare Tuba (WTD)