Our Customers
Click on the church names below to expand.
- Asbury United Methodist - Erie, PA
This project included the complete
rebuilding of the Church's Gottfreid pipe organ. The organ's control
system was also updated and a three manual console installed. The console was a three manual drawknob Allen that was in excellent condition. This
organ takes full advantage of the power of Hauptwerk virtual organ
software. The organ's stop jambs now hold touch screen monitors that
display Hauptwerk's graphic user interface. The pipe organ is
now fully controlled by Hauptwerk. David Butcher of Lavender Audio custom designed the organ's definition file which is based on his Haverhill Old Independent Church sample set. Furthermore, digital
augmentations have been provided giving the organ a third division
and other tonal additions. Hauptwerk's voicing capabilities have
allowed us to provide a seamless blend of digital and pipe voices.
This instrument has just been completed. Upcoming events will be found here and on our calendar.
- Chautauqua Institution - Chautauqua , NYChautauqua Institution website
THE MASSEY MEMORIAL ORGAN
Our magnum Opus, this project consisted of the complete reconstruction of the 1907 Massey Organ housed in Chautauqua Institution's famed Amphitheater. This pipe organ contains 5,640 pipes and is considered to be an outdoor pipe organ.
The organ was originally built by the Warren Church Organ Company of Woodstock, Ontario. Charles Warren was responsible for designing and building a pipe organ for Chautauqua that would be of the symphonic school of tonal design. Mr. Warren designed a tonal specification that would accomplish Chautauqua's musical demands while meeting the $25,000.00 budget. The organ was not completed for the beginning of the 1907 season. It was dedicated in August of that year, just slightly behind schedule.
In 1926, the organ had some major work done to it. The M.P. Möller Organ Company of Hagerstown, MD was hired to replace all of the organ's valves. Additionally, a new console was installed. This console was to be removable so that it could be stored safely and protected from the elements in the off-season. Furthermore, as part of this work there were some tonal changes made to the organ.
In 1972, the organ again had some major work done by the Möller Company. Again, a new console was installed. This console was on a movable platform and could be placed anywhere on the stage. Some additional tonal changes were made. A pedal 8' Spitz Principal was added and the Solo Grand Harmonics Mixture V was added. There were also a couple other minor modifications made to the specification.
In 1990, Chautauqua Institution had come to realize that the magnificent Massey Organ had become nearly 50% non-functional. Excessive damage to the organ's winding system and wind chests coupled with the fact that the organ's original integrity had already been compromised made a reconstruction of the organ's mechanics the only feasible solution. The entire instrument was removed from the chamber. All pipes were carefully transported back to Erie where they were refurbished. The layout of the organ was changed to allow all pipes in the manual divisions to reside at the level of the tonal egress speaking clearly into the Amphitheater. Furthermore, all manual pipes are now arranged on one level, providing a vast improvement in tuning stability. All new windchests, reservoirs and structure were installed in a period of six months. A multiplex system was installed to control the organ.
In 2002, the organ's specification was completed with the addition of the 32' Bombarde stop in the Pedal division, generously donated by life-long Chautauquans the Rueckert family.
Please click HERE for a specification of the organ.
More information will be made available on the Massey Organ in the upcoming months. Please check back for the specification and other details of this instrument.
Here is a very informative article written for the 100th anniversary of the organ.
Every other week throughout the season, Mr. Fischer gives a guided tour of the instrument. This is done on alternating Sundays at 5:00 PM. Please visit our calendar for more information.
- First Covenant Church - Jamestown, NYThis project was a complete overhaul of a 1963 Tellers. The entire organ was re-leathered and re-wired. The three manual console was rebuilt using a digital control system. All Swell shade operators were replaced with Peterson RC-150 servo motors.
- First Presbyterian Church - Jamestown, NYCOMPLETE REBUILD OF A THREE MANUAL SCHLICKER/MÖLLER
This instrument has been completely rebuilt in three stages. The first stage included rebuilding of the console, a new control system and replacement of the Möller windchest in the Positiv division. The second stage was the replacement of the Great windchest. The Swell chests were replaced last.
The entire organ is behind acoustically transparent screens and the Swell is located about 30 feet above ground level in a chamber.
- First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant - Erie, PAFirst Presbyterian Church of the Covenant website
The following is taken from the Church's web site: When the newly formed Church of the Covenant was being built in 1929, the congregation commissioned a four manual pipe organ by the E. M. Skinner Company of Boston, Massachusetts. Installed that same year, this organ had many distinctive stops imitative of orchestral sounds, including a French Horn, English Horn, and Clarinet. In addition, the builder had developed a number of shimmering softer voices that were included in this organ. The pipes resided in chambers above and west of the chancel, as well as in enclosed rooms above and behind the balcony.
The Tellers Organ Company, a local firm, rebuilt the organ and replaced
some ranks (sets of pipes) in 1959.In 1982, through a generous gift of Mrs. Margharita Vicary, the Schantz Organ Company of Orrville, Ohio, built a new organ that retained many of the rare and exquisite ranks of the original Skinner instrument. In all, the Schantz instrument retained 49 ranks, including 24 stops of the Skinner organ, and included an additional 54 ranks. The Schantz instrument now boasted five manuals, 103 ranks, and a total of 6,037 individual pipes. The pipes ranged in size from a grand 32 foot bass pipe to a pipe smaller than a pencil. The original pipe locations were retained, with the addition of chests cantilevered from the rear wall of the balcony.
The crowning stop of the organ, the “Trompette en Chamade” is positioned horizontally from these cantilevered chests, allowing the sound to soar about the rest of the organ
for regal and festive occasions.The Vicary Foundation provided a challenge grant in 2002 to spur a technological update to the console and switching systems of the Organ, as well as to complete some repairs on the largest 32 foot pedal pipes. [This work completed by Fischer Organ Company.] This grant and the support of music lovers of First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant has brought us to the exciting fruition of this project, allowing the Sanctuary organ and the McBrier Chapel organ to be played from the main 5 manual console.
The playing controls of the rebuilt console are greatly enhanced. The console system is now solid-state and multiplexed, and the entire organ of 103 ranks, 6,000+ pipes on 30 chests,
4 swell boxes, chimes, and harp are now controlled through only 24 wires between
the console and the pipe chambers.The Vicary Organ is the largest pipe organ in northwestern Pennsylvania.
- First United Methodist - Kane, PAFirst United Methodist website
The pipe organ at First Methodist Church had fallen into an extended state of deterioration. In the late 1990's we were hired to completely rebuild the Flegemaker pipe organ there. This is a large three manual that was completely over-hauled. The slider windchests had new electric solenoids installed, new pneumatic pull-downs were installed and a new control system was installed.
Pictures will be uploaded when available. - First United Methodist Church - Warren, PA
- Park United Methodist - North East, PA
New organ-2 Manuals, 23 Ranks
- Sacred Heart Church - Erie, PASacred Heart Church website
This was a conservative approach to reviving an instrument that had suffered severe water damage. Futile efforts had previously been made to repair the damage however, the original installation had the organ installed in two chambers with insufficient egress into the sanctuary. Our recommendation to relocate the organ to the front of the church proved a little ambitious and so it was agreed that the Great division would be located on the back wall of the Church, framing the large stained glass window. The organ began as a large two manual. The specification was changed to a three manual and discrete digital voices augment the pipework where necessary. The windchests were fitted with electric action pipe valves. This organ is among the first to use Hauptwerk virtual organ software to provide the digital tonal augmentations in a church installation.
A complete specification and details will be available shortly.
- Saint Boniface RC - Erie, PA
In 1987, Paul and Mark Fischer were to augment the pipe organ at Saint Boniface. A new nine rank Great division was added and cantilevered from the balcony. The Swell division was re-scaled and re-voiced. A new Gemshorn and Sesquialtera were added. The console was rebuilt and a new electronic combination and switching system installed.
CHURCH RENOVATION
The church is nearing completion of a remodeling and renovation project that has spanned over nine months. Seating was increased by expanding the sanctuary out approximately 30 feet and increasing seating by about 50. As part of the project the balcony has been cut off to extend only one foot and will only be used for the organ.
HAUPTWERK
This is the second installation by Fischer Organ Company that takes full advantage of the power of Hauptwerk virtual organ software. The organ is now controlled and augmented through the use of this software. The software takes care of all combination and switching features. Hauptwerk runs in the background so the organist will never know they are playing a "virtual" organ.
THE CONSOLE
The original console was made of flimsy plywood. The roll top was missing and the cabinet was not in very good condition. We have retrofitted the existing keyboards, rocker tablets and indicators into a quality used console with a much finer cabinet. This console now has a touch screen mounted in the music rack that allows the organist to read music without the need for the printed music or large hymn books. Since a screen is a necessary component of the new control system, this is an included benefit! The touch sensitivity can be turned off, if desired.
THE PIPES
Minor yet significant changes were made to the pipes. The cantilevered Great was raised twenty inches so that it is now even with the balcony floor. All pipes that were in the Swell chamber were relocated to the center of the balcony, in a newly constructed enclosure. The Trumpet voice is now played on the Great and the Pedal ranks are now un-enclosed.
THE SPECIFICATION
GREAT
8 Principal 61 pipes
8 Viola 61 notes, Hauptwerk
8 RohrFlute 61 pipes
4 Octave 61 pipes
2 Super Octave 12 pipe extension of Octave
III-IV Mixture 220 pipes
8 Trumpet 61 pipes
Chimes
SWELL
8 Gemshorn 61 pipes
8 Gedeckt 61 pipes
8 Vox Celeste II 61 notes, Hauptwerk
4 Principal 61 pipes
4 Hohl Flute 61 notes, Hauptwerk
2 Gemshorn 24 pipes, extension
II Sesquialtera TC 98 pipes
8 Oboe 61 notes, Hauptwerk
Tremulant
PEDAL
16 Bourdon 12 pipes, extension of Swell Gedeckt
16 Leiblich Gedeckt 32 notes, Hauptwerk
8 Octave Bass 12 pipes, extension of Swell Principal
8 RohrFlute from Great
4 Choral Bass 32 notes, Hauptwerk
16 Trompette 32 notes, Hauptwerk
- Saint Joseph RC - Warren, PA
- Saint Patrick RC - Franklin, PA
- Saint Peter Cathedral - Erie, PASaint Peter Cathedral website
In February of 1975, a frozen sprinkler line above the pipe organ at St. Peter Cathedral burst, pouring thousands of gallons of water through the organ. The damage was far too extensive to consider repairs so the organ was replaced with a new Casavant in 1977.
This instrument has been under the care of Fischer Organ Company since its installation. In 1999, the instrument was updated with a digital control system. All new drawknobs and rockers were installed. Four voices were added to the organ: 32' Sub-Bourdon, 32' Montre, 32' Contra Trumpet and 8' Flute Celeste (playable on both the Recit and Positiv)
Below are some photos of the organ and the installation of the control system.
- Zion Covenant Church - Jamestown, NYThe pipe organ at Zion Covenant Church has been a work in progress over its history but can now be considered complete. Fischer Organ Company was hired in 1983 to install a new Choir windchest. We were again hired in 1989 to install a new Swell windchest and augment the specification. In 2000, we refurbished the console and installed a new control system, adding MIDI to the organ. In 2008, we added a new Antiphonal division with a Trumpet-en-Chamade. We also replaced the Great 8' Principal with a larger scale Open Diapason and changed the Choir 2' Principal to a 2' Piccolo.
- zz Check back often as this list is continously updated. - ,
