Community Corner
Bryn Athyn Cathedral Dedicates New Digital Organ
Last Sunday, five area organists and the Bryn Athyn Cathedral Choir presented a repertoire to showcase the new state-of-the-art digital organ at Bryn Athyn Cathedral.
Last Sunday, five area organists and the Bryn Athyn Cathedral Choir performed in a special evening program in Bryn Athyn Cathedral. The event, which was open to the public, showcased the new digital Allen organ that was installed in the Cathedral earlier this year.
"The new Allen organ is a wonderful addition to our musical program," said Terry Schnarr, head organist at the Cathedral since 2000. "The new organ allows for a great deal of variety and accompaniments to choose from in order to support vocal and instrumental soloists and groups. Now an organist can choose from a huge variety of strings as well as a complete selection of brass instruments."
Music is an integral part of the worship services at the Cathedral. "People reflect and worship before services and weddings when we play prelude music," said Schnarr. "Our congregation sings hymns in four-part harmony," she added. "Also, we have various semi-professional and professional musicians that contribute to our services as soloists or in ensembles." Five types of choirs sing for various worship services under the direction of Christopher Simons.
Find out what's happening in Lower Morelandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The new Allen Quantum Q410 digital organ has four keyboards and 79 stops on seven different organ suites (styles of organs that include French, English Cathedral, and American). All of the sound samples were taken from the highest quality pipe organs. The installation includes 48 custom speakers that create a comprehensive sound system. The new organ provides increased flexibility and less maintenance since it isn't tuned like a pipe organ.
During the evening preludes, before the organ dedication service, attendees enjoyed hearing the voice of the new Allen digital organ. Terry Schnarr performed three pieces: Grand Choir in B-flat by Theodore Dubois, Adagio in G minor by Tomaso Albinoni, and Benedictus by Alec Rowley. Betsy Walsh, assistant organist at the Cathedral, performed works by César Franck, Jean Langlais and Eugene Englert.
Find out what's happening in Lower Morelandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Leah Martin, a 16-year old former organ student of Terry Schnarr, performed Prelude and Fugue in D minor by J.S. Bach and Variations on "Hanover," by James Aylward. Martin is a past recipient of the Raissa Tselentis Scholarship for achieving the highest score in the nation in the Advanced Bach Program of the National Piano Guild.
Kenneth Coy, organist of the Lord's New Church in Bryn Athyn, performed Prelude in E-flat ("St. Anne") and Concerto #1 in G major, both by J.S. Bach. Rudy Lucente, director of music and liturgy at St. Rose Catholic Church, performed Festival Procession by Richard Strauss, arranged by Max Reger. Lucente is also an assistant organist at the Grand Court Organ (formerly Wanamaker's) in Philadelphia and performs during the holidays at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square. Lucente has spent many hours "voicing" the new Allen organ.
The choir performed in the final prelude piece with Terry Schnarr at the organ. The jubilant sounds of "All Ye Servants of the Lord," resonated throughout the building.
Following the preludes, Rt. Rev. Thomas Kline, executive bishop of the General Church of the New Jerusalem, led the organ dedication service. The choir and organists performed various pieces from composers that included Sir Edward Elgar, Ralph Vaughan Williams and J.S. Bach.
Church services are streamed live from the Cathedral. The Organ Dedication Service is streamed here.
