| The Pipe Organ at Capitol Drive Lutheran
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HISTORY
The organ at Capitol Drive Lutheran Church was built by the Reuter Organ Company of Lawrence, KS, recognized today as a leader in the organ building industry. It was designed by Mr. Franklin Mitchell, tonal director of the Reuter Company, in consultation with Mr. Arthur E Bergmann of Saint Louis, who acted as consultant for the church. The installation was accomplished by Fred C. Weickhardt & Son, local (Milwaukee) Reuter Organ Company representatives. The junior Mr. Weickhardt was a member of Capitol Drive Lutheran Church at the time.
The organ is a three-manual instrument, that is, one containing three keyboards or manuals, each with sixty-one notes, and a pedal keyboard with thirty-two notes. Pipework for the main organ, consisting of the Great, Swell and most of the Pedal Division, is placed on the right side of the chancel as one faces this area from the nave, with the console situated on the side opposite. The third manual controls a Gallery Organ, the pipework for which is located approximately one hundred feet from the chancel. The chamber is on the south side of the nave, east of the gallery rail. While the third manual usually controls a Choir Division, in or near the main organ, in this case it was considered desirable to incorporate a separate Gallery Organ for the accompaniment of gallery choirs and for the complete support of congregational singing. The church itself is two hundred feet long.
The main ensemble of the Great organ is made up of the exposed pipework located in front of the Chancel organ grille opening. All of the other ranks of pipes are under expression, the volume of sound being controlled by movable shutters. The Gallery Organ containing its own ensemble and pedal is in reality a complete instrument and can be used independently or in conjunction with the main organ.
The organ today contains forty-one independent ranks consisting of approximately two thousand four hundred pipes. These are of wood and metal, the largest more than sixteen feet in height while the smallest is considerably smaller than an ordinary lead pencil. Several miles of electrical wiring are necessary to make connections between the console and various parts of the organ.
The above is adapted from the “Dedicatory Recitals” program bulletin, November 18, 1956, Courtesy of The Reuter Organ Company.
Great and Swell Organ Divisons
DEDICATION & INTERNATIONAL ARTIST SERIES
The (now) 41 Rank, Three Manual, Reuter Pipe Organ (Opus 1155) was dedicated on November 18, 1956 with two dedicatory recitals by E. Power Biggs. Metal signature plates attached to left side exterior of the organ console are indicative of the rich history of famous organists who have given concerts at Capitol Drive Lutheran Church. The series, which began in November, 1956 has included recitals by E. Power Biggs, William Self, Clair Coci, Virgil Fox, Jean Langlais, Flor Peeters, Frederick Swan, Pierre Cochereau, Paul Manz ,Kenneth Semmann, and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. This list is by no means all inclusive.
Three Manual Organ Console with Bell Tower Keyboard
HISTORY
The organ at Capitol Drive Lutheran Church was built by the Reuter Organ Company of Lawrence, KS, recognized today as a leader in the organ building industry. It was designed by Mr. Franklin Mitchell, tonal director of the Reuter Company, in consultation with Mr. Arthur E Bergmann of Saint Louis, who acted as consultant for the church. The installation was accomplished by Fred C. Weickhardt & Son, local (Milwaukee) Reuter Organ Company representatives. The junior Mr. Weickhardt was a member of Capitol Drive Lutheran Church at the time.
The organ is a three-manual instrument, that is, one containing three keyboards or manuals, each with sixty-one notes, and a pedal keyboard with thirty-two notes. Pipework for the main organ, consisting of the Great, Swell and most of the Pedal Division, is placed on the right side of the chancel as one faces this area from the nave, with the console situated on the side opposite. The third manual controls a Gallery Organ, the pipework for which is located approximately one hundred feet from the chancel. The chamber is on the south side of the nave, east of the gallery rail. While the third manual usually controls a Choir Division, in or near the main organ, in this case it was considered desirable to incorporate a separate Gallery Organ for the accompaniment of gallery choirs and for the complete support of congregational singing. The church itself is two hundred feet long.
The main ensemble of the Great organ is made up of the exposed pipework located in front of the Chancel organ grille opening. All of the other ranks of pipes are under expression, the volume of sound being controlled by movable shutters. The Gallery Organ containing its own ensemble and pedal is in reality a complete instrument and can be used independently or in conjunction with the main organ.
The organ today contains forty-one independent ranks consisting of approximately two thousand four hundred pipes. These are of wood and metal, the largest more than sixteen feet in height while the smallest is considerably smaller than an ordinary lead pencil. Several miles of electrical wiring are necessary to make connections between the console and various parts of the organ.
The above is adapted from the “Dedicatory Recitals” program bulletin, November 18, 1956, Courtesy of The Reuter Organ Company.
Great and Swell Organ Divisons
DEDICATION & INTERNATIONAL ARTIST SERIES
The (now) 41 Rank, Three Manual, Reuter Pipe Organ (Opus 1155) was dedicated on November 18, 1956 with two dedicatory recitals by E. Power Biggs. Metal signature plates attached to left side exterior of the organ console are indicative of the rich history of famous organists who have given concerts at Capitol Drive Lutheran Church. The series, which began in November, 1956 has included recitals by E. Power Biggs, William Self, Clair Coci, Virgil Fox, Jean Langlais, Flor Peeters, Frederick Swan, Pierre Cochereau, Paul Manz ,Kenneth Semmann, and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. This list is by no means all inclusive.
Three Manual Organ Console with Bell Tower Keyboard
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| Reuter Opus 1155 Stop List and Modifications
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| Organ Repair and Enhancement
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Late in 2008, we began several projects to repair, upgrade, and enhance our Reuter pipe organ. The pipe organ has been releathered (air reservoirs and concussion bellows), the main relay replaced, and the main organ swell shade operating mechanisms modernized. We initially began investigating the condition of the organ because the reed stops would not stay in tune. Professional evaluation of the organ revealed major issues with the leathering and that is where we began. We have established our needs and wants and have organized this project into phases.
A pipe organ fund has been established to help pay for these and future repairs and enhancements to the organ. We pray that you will consider a donation to the Capitol Drive Lutheran Church Pipe Organ Fund. Checks may be made payable to the church with pipe organ fund indicated on the check.
Please reference the documents below which describe this project.
Late in 2008, we began several projects to repair, upgrade, and enhance our Reuter pipe organ. The pipe organ has been releathered (air reservoirs and concussion bellows), the main relay replaced, and the main organ swell shade operating mechanisms modernized. We initially began investigating the condition of the organ because the reed stops would not stay in tune. Professional evaluation of the organ revealed major issues with the leathering and that is where we began. We have established our needs and wants and have organized this project into phases.
A pipe organ fund has been established to help pay for these and future repairs and enhancements to the organ. We pray that you will consider a donation to the Capitol Drive Lutheran Church Pipe Organ Fund. Checks may be made payable to the church with pipe organ fund indicated on the check.
Please reference the documents below which describe this project.
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| Repair and Enhancement Updates
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