Organ
Organ
The traditional Anglo-Catholic liturgy at St. Michael and All Angels’ Church is supported by a traditional pipe organ, a two manual, full pedal instrument which consists of 3 divisions and 21 stops. The nucleus of the present organ is a small instrument built by the Reuter Organ Company in Lawrence, KS. Located by Larry Burt of Broomfield, the organ was purchased by the church, revoiced and installed in the gallery a few years after the completion of the present church building.
In 1982, the instrument was renovated, revoiced and its flexibility improved. The work was done in phases and included:
- Additions of new sets of pipes to replace old pipes. The new pipes were constructed by A.R. Schopps Company in Alliance Ohio. They are polished brass with flared “bells.”
- Addition of “upper work” to enhance the registrational pallet.
- Revoicing of several sets of pipes.
- Addition of new state of the art computerized relay and switching systems throughout the organ.
- A new state of the art console using all solid state equipment was constructed using an antique shell or “casework” of quarter sawn oak.
In the year 2000, the powerful and imposing “Trompette En Chamade” was installed in celebration of The Rev’d Father Ralph T. Walker’s 25th anniversary as Rector of St. Michael and All Angels’ Church.
All work has been performed by the Denver firm of Morel & Associate Pipe Organ Builders.
In 2024 the most recent revoicing of the organ was completed, which has brought a refreshing sound to the instrument, while retaining it’s original versatility.
Stop List
SWELL
Gedackt 16′
Gedackt 8′
Gemshorn 8′
Gemshorn Celeste 8′
Principal 4′
Rohrflöte 4′
Nazard 2-2/3′
Flageolet 2′
Tierce 1-3/5′
Trompette 16′
Trompette 8′
Clarinet 8′
Clarion 4′
Tremolo
Swell 16′
Swell 4′
Swell Unison Off
GREAT
Principal 8′
Rohrflöte 8′
Octave 4′
Rohrflöte 4′
Superoctave 2′
Mixture III
Zimblestern
Great 16′
Great Unison Off
Great 4′
Swell to Great 16′, 8′, 4′
Liturgical Trumpet 16′ (SW)
Liturgical Trumpet 8′ (SW)
Liturgical Trumpet 4′ (SW)
Clarinet 8′ (SW)
TROMPETTES EN CHAMADE
16′, 8′, 4′ playable on Great and Swell
8′, 4′ playable on pedal
PEDAL
Pommer 16′
Bourdon 16′
Diapason 8′
Gedeckt 8′ (SW)
Diapason 4′
Gedeckt 4′ (SW)
Diapason 2′
Contra Fagotto 32′ (SW)
Fagotto 16′ (SW)
Fagotto 8′ (SW)
Clarinet 8′ (SW)
Fagotto 4′ (SW)
Great to Pedal 8′ and 4′
Swell to Pedal 8′ and 4′
Notes on the Stop List
The St Michael’s organ is substantially unitized, with much borrowing between the divisions. This is most notable with the reeds. There are, essentially, 7 ranks of reeds on the instrument. In addition tot he 3 ranks in the En Chamade division, the other 4 ranks of reeds are under expression in the Swell cabinet. The Swell Trompettes are identical to the Liturgical Trumpets on the Great, as are the Swell 4′ Clarion and the Great 4′ Liturgical Trumpet. The Clarinet is also playable on either manual or the pedal. Similarly, the pedal reeds are all extensions of the Swell Reeds with additional pipes extending the range of the ranks.
The organ is modest but mighty. While the stop list implies a much larger instrument, the organ is well-balanced for the space and is an exceptionally fine liturgical instrument. The en chamade division is dramatic but not over-voiced for the space.
Organ Fund & Appeal
St. Michael and All Angels’ Church has a small organ maintenance fund, which helps take care of regularly scheduled maintenance such as quarterly tuning and cleaning. Donations to this fund are always welcome. To maintain an instrument such as ours takes vigilance.
In the immediate future, the organ windchest, which is original to the instrument, must be replaced. Through the generosity of Rick Morel’s widow, the organ formerly at the Methodist Church in Pueblo, Colorado, has come into our possession. We would like to use the newer windchest, but the cost is prohibitive at present. Donations to the Organ Fund will go directly to this important repair. As the Centennial year comes to an end, we ask all music lovers to help St. Michael’s pipe organ, be ready for another century of worship and praise.