Organ at Davidson College

[kenb37]

I remember hearing Robin Dinda perform on it in 1977 or 1978, when I worked for Blakely. I even worked on the instrument a couple of times. As I remember, It's tonal qualities weren't what I prefer but it was well done for its' style. What happened to it?

[doothless]

Beautiful organ, beautiful church.

[Chesterbarnes1]

Neal ejoyed thank you

[kenb37]

I would be interested to know who rebuilt the Wicks organ. I wish i could remember

the builder of the original DCPC organ.

Are there still any Blakely organs in Davidson? There used to be one in the Methodist church, The tiny little Episcopal Church and a refurbishe wicks Blake;y

put in a practice building.

[nealbiggers]

@Kenb37, the original builder was Schlicker, rebuilt in the 1970s by folks associated with Wicks, and the most recent rebuild was also by Wicks. I was privileged to study with Wilmer Welsh on the wonderful instrument here, and to work in Ralph Blakely's organ shop. I was also organist for a small Presbyterian Church just west of Lake Norman that had a very nice, small Blakely tracker organ...great for practice in addition to DCPC, the Skinner in Love Auditorium and the practice organ in Oak Row.

[ruxtoncar]

@kenb37

The Schlicker was c. 1952 and completely rebuilt by Wicks collaborating with Blakely in 1968. The result was an elegant instrument that might have been preserved with control system upgrades. I'm sorry to see it gone! I have several recordings of it and played it both as a student and as assistant at DCPC in 1975-76. The Welsh Trumpet resembled the so-called Wicks "English Trumpet". LOL. Davidson had a line of top organ professors: Noehren, Gehring, R. S. Lord, and then Bill Welsh.

[kenb37]

The last time i saw this instrument was in 1978 when i worked for Ralph Blakely

there in Davidson. I wonder where Ralphis now? Anyone know? I know Wilmer

Hayden Welsh is dead. I guess the Welsh trumpet is gone.

[squidgetpj92]

haha nvm about my last comment, but i did get to play it. i really enjoyed it too

[squidgetpj92]

=O i'm going there this thursday with a friend for a worship service. i'm excited now..do you know if they let non-students play the organ?

[henderek]

splendid? Good clarity and nice to follow! I wont more!

good organ!

[southernguy2895]

I have been in this church many time in the 5 yrs i lived in Huntersville ,NC when i did not want to drive to my home church First Presbyterian of Monroe ,NC and i always enjoyed the organ it was always very moving to hear this mighty organ played . i just loved it .

[sweelinck99]

Excellent performance Neal. Bravo! Would you be kind to put more intention, I mean "think the theme, in exposition of the Passacaglia's hidden theme at the manual and don't do too much difference of sonority mass, I mean prepare the reeds entrance as weel as the ripieno. Remember Walcha. By the way bravo! Bye robert

[neilwillsey]

Very nice playing. I am always pleased to hear Buxtehude. I have seen several of your videos and enjoyed each one.

[organ1029]

I have about 4 ranks of Wicks pipes in my garage. I'm going to build a small home organ. Anyone know where I could find a windchest?

[mogemoets]

darling

that Tierce has got GO----

it's a bit shrill for the ensemble

at least over the computer...

Martin

[haholol]

um.. stop calling guys "darling". you've done it more than once on here

[mogemoets]

Well----if the word "drling" doesn't work, how about "sweetie"?

or maybe "honey"?

Martin

[mogemoets]

Is this a Moeller Organ?

One can never tell over the computer...

LOOKS like----maybe an Aeolian-Skinner?

hum...

Martin

[opus1280]

The organ is a Wicks. We installed it in June of 06'. 59 ranks from what i can recall, consisting of some 1950s Schlicker pipework from previous instrument, pipework from the first Wicks rebuid, revoiced/scaled, and some new additions. New console, casework, chests etc.

[bob4120]

Beautiful, articulate playing!

[GrandeChoeur]

Nice sounding instrument! Great job!