Special Holy Week Music

For Holy Week 2017, Webster Presbyterian Church's Chancel Choir presented Lift High the Cross, a choral cantata by composer Lloyd Larson portraying the final days of Christ's earthly journey. From the pinnacle of joy as Jesus rides into the crowded streets of Jerusalem to shouts of "Hosanna to the King!" to the quiet despair of a lonely judgment hall where no voices of support are heard. Then there are the heart-felt affirmations of loyalty in an upper room filled with Christ's closest friends, only to see them segue into acts of betrayal and rejection a few hours later. Then there are the moments of Christ's intimate worship with God in the Garden of Gethsemane followed by excruciating hours of desertion on a barren cross at Golgotha. The work will be presented as part of Palm Sunday worship on Sunday, April 9 at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary. 

Organ Specifications

Schantz Organ Company, 1978

Orville, Ohio

Expansion and tonal revision, 2002

Parsons Pipe Organ Builders

Canandaigua, New York

Organ Dedicated March 23, 2003

Webster Presbyterian Church, Webster, NY

37 ranks

3 manuals

2,179 pipes

Electro-pneumatic action

Standard couplers

99 levels of memory

Transposer

GREAT

16’   Bourdon (#32)

8’      Principal

8’      Gamba

8’      Spitzflöte

4’      Octave

4’      Spitzflöte (ext. #4)

2’      Super Octave (#8)

IV      Mixture

8’      Tuba

4’      Clarion (ext. #9)

         Chimes

SWELL

8’      Flute à Cheminèe

8’      Viola

8’      Viola Celeste

4’      Principal

4’      Koppelflöte

22/3’   Nasat

2’      Waldflöte

13/5’   Terz

IV Mixture

16’   Bassoon

8’      Trompette

8’      Hautbois (ext. #20)

4’      Clarion (ext. #21)

         Tremulant

POSITIV

8’      Holz Gedackt

4’      Nachthorn

2’      Principal

11/3’   Quinte

III      Zymbel

8’      Krummhorn

8’      Tuba (#9)

         Tremulant

PEDAL

32’   Resultant

16’   Open Wood

16’   Principal

16’   Subbass

8’      Principal

8’      Flute (ext. #32)

4’      Choral Bass

4’      Flute (ext. #32)

II       Rauschquinte

16’   Trombone (ext. #9)

16’   Contra Trompette (ext. # 21)

16’   Bassoon (ext. #20)

8’      Tuba (#9)

8’      Trompette (#21)

4’      Hautbois (ext. #22)

         Cymbelstern (toe stud)

The Great 8’ Gamba, Tuba (16’, 8’, 4’), Cymbelstern and Chimes are from the previous Morey organ; the Swell IV Mixture and Bassoon/Oboe (16’, 8’, 4’) and the Pedal 16’ Open Wood have been added by Parsons to the original Schantz instrument.

Notes from the organ builder

When we were first approached about the possibility of relocating this Schantz pipe organ from Wichita KS to Webster NY, our immediate concern was that the church be willing to make a commitment to ensuring that the organ would be suitably wedded to its new home. Specifically, we knew the importance of scaling, voicing and the enhancements that would be required of an instrument built in this style. We were able to develop a tonal and mechanical specification that met both the musical and financial goals set forth by the church.

This instrument, designed for another building, was well suited for the space available here. An inspection of the organ structure revealed that the organ would fit the chamber area, just as it did in Wichita, within a matter of only a few inches; it seemed meant to be. Architect David Waldereck was very helpful in ensuring that the chamber would properly house the organ, reflect sound and that a facade would be provided that would blend with existing architecture.

The 1978 Schantz organ was, tonally, typical of the period in which it was built. We knew that for the organ to be capable of a wide variety of sounds, a full spectrum of harmonics and a seamless and full crescendo, it would require rescaling and additions. Six new ranks of pipes and four `pre-enjoyed' ranks were added to fill out the bass and mid-range frequencies. The organ increased from 1660 to 2179 pipes including the addition of three 16' ranks. The organ is capable of providing a wide, dynamic range necessary for the accompaniment of the Presbyterian worship service. It is an excellent example of how carefully executed rescaling and revoicing can ensure a successful outcome.

The organ is built in the electro-pneumatic style; that is, its windchests incorporate individual leather pneumatics (one per pipe) controlled by 12-volt DC magnet coils, to control the flow of pressurized wind to the pipes. All additions were completed in accordance with this style of construction to maintain the mechanical integrity of the instrument.

The electrical control system for the organ was completely replaced in order to accommodate the additions and to improve the reliability of the contact and switching functions. A further benefit of upgrading the organ to solid state control is the ability to reduce the several-hundred conductor umbilical cable (connecting the console to the organ) to a small six-pair cable. A console and chamber computer makes this possible, as well as the additional function of a multilevel combination- preset system.

As it is with every project of this magnitude, this organ evolved into a unique entity, taking on a personality of its own. Anyone who knew the organ in its previous home would not recognize it. We are honored to have had a part in seeing the organ transformed into the musical instrument it is today.

It is our hope that this organ will serve the musical needs of the congregation for generations to come; that it will enrich the worship experience for each listener and that it will, above all, glorify our Lord through praise, song and meditation.

Richard B. Parsons, President

The contributing craftsmen from Parsons Pipe Organ Builders:

Calvin G. Parsons, Vice President


Gordon W. Dibble, Organbuilder, Emeritus

Duane A. Prill, Tonal Director

Woodworkers:

• Geoffery Karley
• Andrew Moore
• Dale Smith

Designers:

• Matthew Bellocchio
• Loren Jacob Hendrix

Assemblers: Nicholas Fargnoli William Henrie John Henrie Matthew Parsons Timothy Parsons Milovan Popovic

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men."

(Colossians 3:23)