Rodgers Imagine 351M Hybrid Organ, Hope Episcopal Church, Manheim, PA
The Edwin G. Dunlap Organ of Hope Episcopal Church began as a labor of love by former and late organist, Edwin G. Dunlap. A relentless collector of pipe work, it was said that he had more pipe work in his home, garage and barn than the Wannamaker Organ! However, the tiny Episcopal church just South of Mt. Gretna, where Ed was the organist, would never have fit all of that pipe work. Ed’s solution was to install what he could and “hybridize” the rest. After Ed’s passing, his method of interfacing pipe and digital failed and the church was in need of an interface that worked and a company that would stand behind it. Enter Buch Organ Company.
The church’s desire was to carry on Ed’s wishes and legacy with a performance minded instrument that would also serve the parish in its worship. There was no finer choice than the Rodgers Imagine 351 M. The “M” stands for mechanical drawknob controls, and in keeping with the performer aspect, the organ also features real wood keyboards.
Now the church has a reliable, beautiful sounding instrument that can control the chimes, the mechanical zimbelstern, the electric slider chests, the unit chests and seamlessly fill it out with digital voices. The organ also boasts an antiphonal choir division on those occasions when a small choir is tasked to provide music or accompany a soloist. This organ is truly a delight to play and thoroughly demonstrates the versatility of Rodgers Instruments US!
Contact us to know more about this organ if you wish!
Rodgers Inspire 227, residence organ, Reading, PA
Formerly a pianist and now aspiring organist, Sandy was having difficulty preparing for her weekly joy of substituting at the organ in various nearby churches. Each church had a different organ, some pipe, some electronic, but the real problem was getting to practice in these spaces, especially during pandemic closures. Furthermore, winter heating protocols in churches are not conducive to hours of comfort, so Sandy sought out an organ for her home where she could prepare comfortably and duh, enjoy the sound! The obvious choice was the Rodgers Inspire 227.
Sandy is a diligent student who enjoys the different styles of literature, so the voice palette feature of the Rodgers Inspire organ allows her to practice Bach the way he may have heard it or Franck, a favorite, how he may have heard it. Congratulations Sandy and we wish you many good years at the organ!
Rodgers Infinity II 361 Organ, Zion Lutheran, Turbotville, PA
Prior to planning updates and upgrades to the church sanctuary, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Turbotville, PA had also decided to update the organ and upgrade to a Rodgers Infinity II 361 – a 3-manual and pedal organ with 61 Stop controls. The organ boasts nearly 400 actual stops, though, as well as MIDI functionality that organist Michael had never dreamed about.
The new organ consists of 24-channels of audio, including an Antiphonal/Positiv, Solo and Bombarde divisions, in addition to the Great, Swell, Choir and Pedal (see installation pictures at right). The new sanctuary features a beautifully enhanced acoustic in addition to the sparkling finishes. Congratulations Pastor and Michael!
Rodgers Infinity II 361 Organ, New Cumberland
St. Theresa Catholic Parish in New Cumberland, PA, near Harrisburg, is the proud owner of the phenomenal new Rodgers Infinity II 361 Church Organ. When the church became aware of their need for a new instrument, there was one major criteria in addition to authentic pipe organ sound and function – they needed a separate organ system to accompany the choir. The Rodgers Infinity II 361 was the solution to their quest and much more!
The architecture of the church is what some might call mid-century modern and the style of the nave is what many Catholic organists and priests alike refer to as the “theater” style. This mid-century style features a half-round nave with a very long front wall, in the middle of which is the Sanctuary. The seating slopes gently downward and the ceiling vaults upward as one approaches the Sanctuary (front wall). This style of architecture produces marvelous acoustics for organ and congregational singing, provided the proper surface treatments are in place. In the case of St. Theresa Parish, the nave will seat nearly 1100, making the front wall of the nave a full 185 feet.
