A New Voice in our Sanctuary

By: Rob Lynch, Director of Traditional Music

 Through the incredible generosity of this church, as you may have seen and heard, we have an organ in the Sanctuary! The organ was installed on Wednesday, October 29th by the Gerrero-Kirk Classic Organ Company here in Pittsburgh. It is a large Allen electronic organ with 56 draw knobs, three manuals, and seven speakers. The installation was no small feat, but thanks to the help of our Maintenance Manager Anthony Chavez and Music Ministry members Dee Hamerly and Mark Montesano, everything came together beautifully.

 Some of you may be wondering, “Why would a church install an organ in 2025?” Great question! The organ has been central to Christian worship for centuries. The modern version of the organ that we know today was found all over Europe during the Medieval and Baroque periods, serving as the primary accompaniment instrument for choirs and worship. Our new organ is modeled after these fine instruments. At the 11 o’clock service, much of our hymnody comes from this period. Just this past weekend, we ended our service with Now Thank We All Our God to the tune Nun Danket, composed in 1647. Just as the praise band is central to our contemporary worship service, so too is the organ essential to traditional worship. Beyond just being “the right tool for the job”, the organ helps support robust congregational singing with its sustained tone and broad dynamic range. I am incredibly grateful (especially in this season of gratitude!) to our cantors who help to lead the congregation in song. The addition of the organ to our worship now broadens our repertoire and helps accompany hymnody both ancient and modern. 

The organ will also be prominently featured in this year’s Christmas Cantata, “Shout the Good News!” (December 13 & 14 - see you there!) While it presents plenty of logistical challenges with a large choir and orchestra, it provides even more opportunities and new tonal possibilities. 

And finally, we’ll dedicate the organ on the evening of Sunday, January 4th on Epiphany Sunday. The recital will demonstrate everything the organ can do, offer a history of this particular instrument, and put each of the recital pieces and hymns we sing in historical context. Much more information on the dedicatory recital will be forthcoming. I truly love the organ and hope to spread my joy and enthusiasm for this instrument and all that it can do in our church. If you ever want to learn a little more about what all those rows of keys, buttons, knobs, and pedals do, stop by the organ after worship and come to the recital on January 4th! Thank you again for the incredible generosity and support that made bringing this instrument to Dutilh Church possible!