Music & Choirs

Kerner & Merchant’s recent rebuilding of the pipe organ at First United Presbyterian Church in downtown Troy, New York, included major restoration of existing components, tonal improvements, a rationalization of the instrument’s layout, and a computerized solid state controlling system.
      Originally a 1907 Hutchings & Votey instrument, the organ had substantial rebuilding by Spencer (1962) and Austin (1981). By the late 1990s, the organ had numerous chest and switching problems, and portions of it were essentially unplayable. Kerner & Merchant was contracted to make everything right.
     

Extensive releathering was done to many of the organ's reservoirs, and to most of the wind chests. All 3,161 pipes were cleaned and carefully revoiced and regulated to sound clearly and blend well. We worked hard to ensure that the organ's sound could get out of the chamber and into the room in part by specifying the replacement of a grill cloth screen with one of perforated metal. We also rearranged the layout of several chests to improve the egress of sound.

All console and chamber switching was replaced, as was the mechanical combination system in the console. In their place was installed a new integrated solid state controlling system by Matters, Incorporated.
      Seven new ranks of pipes were added to the instrument, including a new 8' Trumpet in the Great and a wooden 16' Posaune in the Pedal. Each of these additions contributes to the versatility, beauty, and blend of the instrument. The organ has an excellent sound, with outstanding solo voices and a fine ensamble blend. It plays all genres of organ literature well, and is a fine organ for service music and hymn playing. The specification is as follows: