Worship & Music - Organs & Other Instruments
Church Organ
The two-manual organ in the church was originally built by the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company in 1952. Early in 1954, G. Donald Harrison, president of Aeolian-Skinner, agreed to the need for a few improvements to the instrument, and these were carried out later that year. The organ was rebuilt with the addition of several ranks of new pipework by Robert Turner in 1975. The fifteen ranks of new pipework were built by Jacques Stinkens of Holland . Further tonal revision was performed by Ken Wolfe, who is currently a voicer with the Fisk Organ Company. In 2005, Emery Brothers overhauled the entire instrument. This included rebuilding the failing console with new solid state combination action; installing new bone keyboards and a new pedalboard; renovating all reservoirs and windchests; and washing and revoicing all pipework. The organ contains 19 stops and 21 ranks of pipes.
Chapel Organ
In spring of 2007, Dobson Organ Builders installed our beautiful new 3-manual, 47-rank organ. This instrument was designed along with the new worship space, and is integrated beautifully into the whole of the Chapel. “With its solid, solemn tones, grand but never grandiose, Dobson Opus 84 has become our natural partner in worship—and the pledge of this generation upon those who will follow.” (Dr. Joseph Bonn, Organ Committee chair, The American Organist, p. 61.)
Dobson Stop List
Cello
In the mid-nineteenth century, Jessee Brooke was a member of the vestry and Warden of St. David’s Church. He owned a cello that was played as a part of services before there was an organ or other musical instrument. At some point the Brooke family donated the cello to the church. It is believed to have been made by an amateur European instrument maker. The cello was restored in 1995.
Harpsichord
St. David’s owns a Flemish style double (two-manual) harpsichord built by Willard Martin in 1998.
Pianos
In the St. David’s Chapel there is a Steinway B grand piano built in 1924. It was completely rebuilt in 2004 by David Hughes. A five-foot Kawai grand was purchased in 1999 and is used for Primary Worship and choir rehearsals in the Harrison Room.
Handbells and Chimes
St. David’s Handbell Choir performs with a 4 ˝ -octave set of Schulmerich handbells (purchased in 1998 and 2003) and a three-octave set of Schulmerich tone chimes (purchased in 2005).