• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too…” Pope Benedict XVI (7 July 2007)

  • Our Team
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Saint Antoine Daniel KYRIALE
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
  • Donate
Views from the Choir Loft

Installation of New Pipe Organ on Capitol Hill

Fr. David Friel · May 19, 2019

NSTALLATIONS of new pipe organs are significant events. Even as their digital counterparts have grown in popularity, pipe organs have retained a place of unique importance in the field of Church music. New installations require the cooperation and support of the whole parish—pastor, musicians, and faithful—and they are a cause for real celebration.

One recently completed project took place at St. Peter’s Church in Washington, DC. Situated on the House side of Capitol Hill, the parish elected to replace, rather than repair, its previous instrument. The earlier organ, installed in 1940, had been damaged by plaster that fell during a 2001 earthquake in the city. The new organ debuted at this year’s Easter Vigil.

The music program at St. Peter’s is directed by Kevin O’Brien, a respected organist and conductor who holds a DMA from The Catholic University of America. The Archdiocese of Washington’s Catholic Standard featured a nice article on the installation project, including interviews of O’Brien and the pastor.

The new instrument is Opus 162 of Noack Organ Company, headquartered in Massachusetts. It is both modern and traditional: modern in the sense that it is carefully designed to support congregational singing, and traditional in that it uses all mechanical (tracker) action. One of the most interesting aspect of this project is that the organ builders worked around two brick walls in the choir loft area that are integral to the structure of the church. Below are three images illustrating how this was accomplished:

Organ3 Organ2 Organ1

Full specifications of the instrument are found on the organ builder’s website here.

St. Peter’s Church is one of two venues utilized by the excellent Washington Bach Consort. The ensemble performs a Noontime Cantata Series on the first Mondays and Tuesdays of several months throughout the year. In addition to a fine program of Bach works, each concert begins with an organ solo. The new instrument will be specially featured in the upcoming season of the Consort.

Congratulations to St. Peter’s Church on their achievement!

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Pipe Organ Last Updated: January 1, 2020

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and teaches liturgy at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.—(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “For General Use Until Advent”
    If you conduct a volunteer choir, you might consider using this Simple Piece #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) which can be used during the rest of the liturgical season until Advent. It's based on the well known hymn tune: OLD HUNDREDTH. Rehearsal videos are available at #40691. A live recording of #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) by a volunteer choir is here (#40065).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • (This Coming Sunday)
    Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”
    My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“Except the psalms or canonical Scriptures of the new and old Testaments, nothing composed poetically shall be sung in church, as the holy canons command.”

— ‘Council of Braga, 563AD’

Recent Posts

  • “Reverent Catholic Mass Finder” (Website)
  • Powerful Images • “Father John Brébeuf”
  • “Best & Worst Responses” • This Survey Was Responded To By 300+ Church Musicians
  • “Offertory Verses and Why You Should Sing Them” (Includes PDF Download)
  • “Colorado Sacred Music Conference” August 9-10 (2023) • Highlands Ranch, CO

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2023 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.