First Presbyterian Church, Binghamton (New York)
Hutchings Organ, op. 542
Installed by E. M. Skinner and dedicated Oct. 8, 1901
New console 1946, rebuilt in 1956 by Carl Rademaker
and again in 1976 with tonal finishing by John Schantz
Renovation, console, and tonal design by Guilbaut-Thérien (1996)
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GREAT ORGAN |
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CHOIR ORGAN |
| 1- |
Violon |
16' |
|
13- |
Nason flöte |
8' |
| 2- |
Bourdon |
16' |
|
14- |
Gemshorn |
8' |
| 3- |
Principal |
8' |
|
15- |
Gemshorn celeste |
8' |
| 4- |
Gamba |
8' |
|
16- |
Hohlflöte |
4' |
| 5- |
Rohrflöte |
8' |
|
17- |
Spitzflöte |
2' |
| 6- |
Harmonic flute |
8' |
|
18- |
Cornet (mounted) |
II-III |
| 7- |
Octave |
4' |
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19- |
Clarinet |
8' |
| 8- |
Koppelflöte |
4' |
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|
Fanfare trumpet (prep.) |
16' |
| 9- |
Quint |
2 2/3' |
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Fanfare trumpet (prep.) |
8' |
| 10- |
Super Octave |
2' |
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Fanfare trumpet (prep.) |
4' |
| 11- |
Mixture |
IV |
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Chimes |
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| 12- |
Trumpet |
8' |
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Zimbelstern |
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Fanfare trumpet (prep.) |
8' |
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Tremulant |
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Chimes |
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Tremulant |
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SWELL ORGAN (expr.) |
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PEDAL ORGAN |
| 20- |
Bourdon |
16' |
|
35- |
Resultant (forte) |
32' |
| 21- |
Stopped diapason |
8' |
|
36- |
Resultant (piano) |
32' |
| 22- |
Viole de gambe |
8' |
|
37- |
Open diapason |
16' |
| 23- |
Viole celeste |
8' |
|
38- |
Violone |
16' |
| 24- |
Principal |
4' |
|
39- |
Subbass |
16' |
| 25- |
Flauto traverso |
4' |
|
40- |
Bourdon (Great) |
16' |
| 26- |
Nazard |
2 2/3' |
|
41- |
Lieblich gedeckt (Swell) |
16' |
| 27- |
Octavin |
2' |
|
42- |
Principal |
8' |
| 28- |
Tierce |
1 3/5' |
|
43- |
Violon |
8' |
| 29- |
Plein jeu |
III |
|
44- |
Gedeckt |
8' |
| 30- |
Basson |
16' |
|
45- |
Choralbass |
4' |
| 31- |
Trumpet |
8' |
|
46- |
Mixture |
II |
| 32- |
Hautbois |
8' |
|
|
Contre bombarde (prep.) |
32' |
| 33- |
Vox humana |
8' |
|
47- |
Bombarde |
16' |
| 34- |
Schalmei |
4' |
|
48- |
Basson (Swell) |
16' |
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Fanfare trumpet (prep.) |
8' |
|
49- |
Trumpet |
8' |
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Chimes |
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50- |
Clarion |
4' |
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Tremulant |
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Fanfare trumpet (prep.) |
8' |
- Couplers: Great to Great 16', 4', unison off; Choir to Choir 16, 4', unison off; Swell to Swell 16', 4', unison off; Standard complement of couplers; Great/Choir transfer; All Swells; Midi on Great, Swell, Choir, Pedal
- 46 ranks, 50 stops (including borrowings), and 2803 pipes
- Inaugural recital by Jonathan Biggers, March 9, 1997
During spring and summer, 1995, several major organ companies were invited to submit proposals to replace the sanctuary organ console. From those bids, three were selected, and three builders visited the church to finalize their proposals and address whatever other renovations they saw fit. At a special open meeting on November 13, 1995, the Session (upon recommendation of the Board of Trustees, chaired by Wayne Jones, and in concurrence with Dr. Biggers) voted to contract with Guilbault-Thérien of St. Hyacinthe, Québec, to rebuild the sanctuary organ and charged the Organ Fund Raising Committee, chaired by Dr. Lubs, with raising $80,000 from the congregation, the balance of funds to come frorn the church's major maintenance fund. The fund-drive was broadly supported by more than 70 contributors, and supplied more than half of the final cost of $178,000.
In April, 1996, the 96-year old sanctuary organ blower burned out, leaving the instrument silent. During the eight months which followed, Sunday worship was supported by the Chapel Organ and the restored Steinway grand piano, a contingency plan envisioned by the Instrument Task Force. Lew Dorsey, Dave Schneider, Steve Comency, and Leland Cook worked tirelessly to remodel the floor and lighting in the choir loft, while Bob Smith, Sue Szigeti, and Mary White managed incoming pledges and the recording of memorial gifts.
On December 15, 1996, the newly-rebuilt organ was previewed during the final hymn in a surprise treat for the congregation. It was then featured in an Advent music service December 22, used for Christmas Eve "Lessons & Carols", and played by A.G.O. members during Binghamton's first First Night on New Year's Eve, 1996.
On February 20, 1997, the renovation by Guilbault-Thérien was completed, two years to the day after the recommendation of the Instrument Task Force was presented to the Trustees. The completed instrument today has 46 ranks, 50 stops, and 2803 pipes, and represents the integrated tonal concept of Guy Thérien. A totally new winding system, new wiring, and a new modular solid-state console were installed under the direction of André Guilbault. The console, hand carved to match the organ pipe casework, is accented with several decorative woods, all designed for the eye -- both for beauty and for ease of visibility to the player. The console, wiring, and blower are prepared for several more additions, including a remote MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) keyboard and dedicated computer, a hooded fanfare trumpet, and a 32' pedal reed.
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