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)

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)

Trinity UMC, Spartanburg South Carolina

Trinity United Methodist Church - Spartanburg, South Carolina

Beginning in 2008, we were asked by Organist/Choirmaster Justin Addington to care for the 1988 Moller pipe organ installed at Trinity United Methodist Church. Upon our first inspections of the instrument, we found it to be in good mechanical condition, but with rough, and uneven voicing.

With input from Mr. Addington, we devised a plan to remedy the voicing of the existing instrument, while also making a few tonal revisions and the addition of a hooded, 8' Festival Trumpet. In our work, we will relocate a few stops, while adjusting the balance within the Mixtures and voicing the Great Principal chorus in the rich, graceful manner our organs are becoming known for.

The new 8' Turner Trumpet will serve as the Solo voice for this instrument. These pipes are built to our exacting specification, and feature hooded resonators to properly project the tone into the church. They also feature our custom shallot schedule to allow for the maximum rich, fundamental tone, while still retaining power sufficient to serve as a solo voice against the full Great Principal chorus. In our instruments, we do not feel the solo reed should obliterate the full organ ensemble, but rather serve as a solo against the Great chorus, but also serve as the last ensemble voice when added to full organ. In this way, these voices are never too loud, nor too brash, but rather enhance many musical situations.

Trinity United Methodist Church
M.P. Moller Opus 10759
Robert I. Coulter - Organbuilders
Opus 7
III - 26

Great Organ 16' Lieblich Gedeckt (Swell, added) 8' Open Diapason (revoiced) 8' Bourdon (revoiced) 4' Octave (revoiced) 2' Super Octave (from Positiv, revoiced) IV - Mixture (revoiced) 8' Turner Trumpet (hooded, NEW) 8' Minor Trumpet (Swell) Chimes Pedal Organ 32' Resultant (New) 16' Diapason 16' Lieblich Gedeckt (Swell) 8' Octave (extension) 8' Chimney Flute (Swell) 4' Choral Bass (extension) 4' Chimney Flute (Swell) 16' Double Trumpet (Swell, extension) 8' Turner Trumpet (Great) 8' Minor Trumpet (Swell) 4' Clarion (Swell)

Swell Organ 16' Lieblich Gedeckt 8' Gemshorn (revoiced) 8' Gemshorn Celeste (tenor C) 8' Chimney Flute 4' Principal 4' Flute (new extension 8') 2' Flautino III - Fourniture (revoiced) 8' Minor Trumpet (revoiced) Tremulant Positiv Organ 8' Wood Gedeckt (revoiced) 4' Koppel Flute 2' Block Flute (from Great, revoiced) 1 1/3' Larigot III - Sharp Mixture (revoiced) 8' Krummhorn 8' Turner Trumpet (Great) Tremulant

C13 - C61 of the 8' Turner Trumpet on our voicing machine. The bottom octave was on the offset and outside the line of focus. What a sound these pipes make! Built to a scale of Cavaille'-Coll, and voiced from scratch in our Atlanta, Georgia shop.

Saint Andrews Roman Catholic Church - Montgomery, Alabama

We were honored to have been contacted in early 2010 to inspect the historic Moller organ at Saint Andrew's Catholic Church in Montgomery, Alabama. This instrument is of mechanical action, and was built when the church was constructed in 1907. As these instruments were often built for 'remote' locales, they were of robust construction. This instrument is mostly in its original form, with the addition of a 2' Super Octave on an electric chest as the only tonal change.

Upon our inspection, we found the organ in largely good condition. There are, however, numerous problems in the key and coupler actions that have proven troublesome for sometime apparently. Also, there are signs of attempts at voicing/regulation to the Great 8' Dulciana, with the result of many pipes not speaking at all. Pipe voicing is a delicate art, and shouldn't be delved into lightly.

In this minor restoration, we will correct problems with the actions, regulate voicing as needed, and check all the wood pipes for proper packing/speech. We will also revoice the added 2' Super Octave. These pipes add a brillance to the organ, but in a manner that does not blend with the other 103 year old pipes. We believe additions to existing organs should be done in a tonal sympathetic manner, and should reflect the existing style of the instrument.

We are honored to care for this historic pipe organ, and look forward to ensuring another 100 years of reliable service to the congretation of Saint Andrew's.

Saint Andrew's Catholic Church
M.P. Moller pipe organ
1907
II - 9

Great Organ 8' Open Diapason 8' Melodia 8' Dulciana 4' Octave 2' Super Octave (not original, revoiced) Pedal Organ 16' Bourdon

Swell Organ 8' Violin Diapason 8' Salicional 8' Gedeckt 4' Flute Tremulant

Rescued E.M. Skinner organ

Read the full article here.

Saint Mark United Methodist Church - Atlanta, Georgia

We have completed the retoration and installation of a vintage 8' Clarinet to the organ at Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Atlanta. During this work, the IV Scharff of the Positiv organ was professionaly stored and the 8' Krummhorn located in its place. The organ now has the luxury of an additional solo stop that speaks with a richness enough to warm the coldest of January hearts.

New Positiv Organ specification:
8' Gedeckt
8' Erzahler (Swell)
8' Erzahler Celeste (Swell)
4' Nachthorn
4' Erzahler Celeste II (Swell)
2' Principal
1 1/3' Quint
II Sesquialtera
8' Krummhorn (Aeolian-Skinner original)
8' Clarinet (in Swell)

In continues to be a pleasure to work with organist John Richardson and the entire Saint Mark staff.

Driving on Sundays

After a December service at Morningside Presbyterian that featured the choir and our Opus 1, the musical director of a local professional symphony orchestra commented, "The choir was wonderful and the organ sounds like a Rolls-Royce."

How would you like to drive a Rolls-Royce every Sunday morning? We can help make that happen for you and your church. Call us today to find out how!!

http://coulterorgans.com/projects/morningside-presbyterian.html