From the BuilderIn 2009 and 2010, the Reuter Organ Company was

awarded two large commissions for four-manual organs.The first, completed in conjunction with a major build-ing campaign for Christ United Methodist Church inPlano, Texas, was installed and dedicated in 2010. Theinaugural program for the second, built for Fremont Pres-byterian Church in Sacramento, California, followedearly in 2011. These two instruments, scheduled consec-utively, represented more than 39,000 hours of shop timeand were the primary focus at our facility for a period ofmore than two years.

Both of these organs feature complete principal cho-ruses in all divisions, colorful flutes, and a wealth of soloand chorus reed stops. Both instruments are crowned byhorizontal trumpets as well as high-pressure Tubas. Al-though these two all-new instruments bear a close familyresemblance, they are unique creations designed andcrafted for their respective spaces.

Christ United Methodist, with a newsanctuary encompassing more than 14,000square feet and 880,000 cubic feet of vol-ume, presented us with both challenges andopportunities. Indeed, the acoustical spaceis much larger than it appears, with a fauxceiling of acoustically transparent fabrichanging several feet below the actual ceil-ing, which soars to 77 feet at its highestpoint.

By necessity, the organ was designed andbuilt before the sanctuary was completed,with only some optimistic computer acous-tical models and our many years of collec-tive experience for guidance. Unfortu-nately, the finished sanctuary was lessresonant than expected. It was going to re-quire a heroic organ to fill this huge spacewith sound!

For the most part, our best scaling andwind pressure estimations were spot on. Af-ter several days of onsite voicing in the newchurch, the instrument began to take shape.The great many distinctive sounds neededto be refined and molded into a musical in-strument. Minor modifications were madewith scaling and wind pressures in theGreat and Choir divisions to generate the de-sired amount of sonic energy.

Being a large and versatile organ, a huge range of colorand dynamics are available. Although the new sanctuaryis not very reverberant, the generous scales of the instru-ment carry the tone very well without being forced. Foun-dation tone is in abundance, with enough 8' tone to leada large congregation. From there, the ensemble buildsseamlessly through the complete divisions to full organ.It was quickly discovered that even the gentlest stops ac-tually carried effortlessly in the vast sanctuary to offer theorganist a wealth of both solo and accompanimentalsounds. The organ has a broad range of vibrant string toneand a wide palette of flutes and solo reeds.

A large component of this project was the extensivewalnut casework that completely envelops the expansivechoir seating area. A horizontal shelf acts as a reflectiveshell behind the choir to help direct the vocal sound to-ward the congregation.

Fremont Presbyterian Church was served by a largeelectronic organ that was installed in the newly built

42 THE AMERICAN ORGANIST

REUTER ORGAN COMPANYLAWRENCE, KANSAS

COVER FEATURE

CHRIST UNITED METHODISTCHURCH

PLANO, TEXAS

FREMONT PRESBYTERIANCHURCH

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

Christ United Methodist Church

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church in 1963. This instrument had endured long be-yond its practical life, largely because of the tireless ef-forts of organist Stephen Drew and his soldering iron! Al-though the original 1963 church design did consider theeventual possibility of a pipe organ, a large remodelingproject was undertaken to expand the available organarea as well as to update the appearance and function ofthe 1,000-seat worship space.

A new wooden floor and handsome reflective panels inthe chancel area contribute to a livelier acoustic than be-fore. The organ facade includes two 16' stops with cus-tom pipe feet that create angular mouth lines to comple-ment the original architecture. The overall result is aninviting and versatile setting that frames the brightly col-orful stained-glass window and draws the eye to the largecentral cross.

The Fremont organ is also generously scaled. With a bitless space to fill, and with the enhanced acoustics andhigh placement, it operates on a bit less pressure than theChrist Methodist organ. The entire organ speaks into theroom with both warmth and great clarity. Any stop canbe used as a solo, and the orchestral color stops in theChoir division are particularly distinctive in this space.

The Antiphonal organ reinforces and contributes to theorgan’s ensemble, and offers unique tonal and spatial ef-fects as well. The Trumpet en Chamade is located on therear wall of the sanctuary. Stephen Drew reports that thebalcony “regulars” look forward to, and now expect, thethrill of hearing these pipes each Sunday!

A desire for actual speaking 32' stops was expressed tous from the beginning. The renovation project allowedthe church’s architects and the Reuter engineers to worktogether to create space to install the lowest pipes of the32' Bourdon horizontally behind the choir seating area.The 32' Bombarde pipes are located against the front wallof the church, behind the Swell.

Christ United Methodist and Fremont Presbyterianchurches are both vibrant, growing faith communitieswith creative and enthusiastic leadership. It has been ourgreat pleasure to work with both churches, and to knowthat our work has enhanced worship at both locations.These two big Reuter sisters fill their respective sanctu-aries with an uplifting musical presence that leads by ex-ample to encourage congregational singing—a church or-gan’s main purpose!

WILLIAM KLIMAS

Artistic Director

CHRIST UNITED METHODIST CHURCHPLANO, TEXAS

From the Director of Music Ministriesand Associate Director of Music-Organist

The journey to find the “best” pipe organ for ChristUnited Methodist Church began several years ago, whenour congregation decided to build a new sanctuary. Wediscussed various builders, styles of instruments, andwhat we thought the instrument should do for our churchand community. Above all, we agreed that this instru-ment should be versatile enough to lead music in any

worship service, whether for hymn accompaniment, an-thems, orchestral arrangements, or solo organ pieces. Wefelt that if the instrument was successful in this regard, itwould also be successful as a concert instrument.

After considering many builders across the UnitedStates, we chose the Reuter Organ Company. Throughoutthe building process, they impressed us with their in-tegrity, artistry, superb quality, and the ability to listen toour wishes while guiding us in the right direction. Theywere always eager to answer questions and offer adviceas they worked diligently to build the organ we wantedand needed. They truly have gone “above and beyond” inworking with our church on this project.

Physical installation began under very cold and dustyconditions, with the Reuter team laboring twelve hours aday for a week to get the Swell and Choir installed so con-struction of the building could continue. The secondround of installation was in a slightly better environment,but still a challenge because construction of the buildingcontinued as they worked—not the norm for organ-builders! The Reuter team was professional and enthusi-astic throughout.

When the time came for voicing the organ, the trueartistry of Reuter began to shine! While specificationswere drawn up two years earlier with the assistance of re-gional representative Jason Alden and Albert “JR” Neu-tel, president of Reuter, it was artistic director Bill Klimasand his assistants who did the tonal finishing.

We are absolutely pleased and proud of this organ.From the almost inaudible soft shimmer of the strings, the“firm foundation” of the Principal chorus, the singingquality of the flutes to the fiery reeds, Reuter has createda musical instrument that goes well beyond the sum of itsparts. Building a pipe organ is not only a huge financialinvestment for a church; it is also an emotional, some-times controversial, time-consuming, and very excitingventure. We hope that every church or parish that buildsa new pipe organ will be as satisfied as we are with thisinstrument.

PAT MESSICK

BART GHENT

MAY 2012 43

Polishing a facade pipe for Opus 2235

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From the Principal Organist andMinister of Music and Worship Arts

The huge, three-manual electronic organ at Fremont Presby-terian Church was becoming unreliable after 48 years. Twentypercent of the instrument no longer worked. The builders ofFremont’s fourth sanctuary in 1963 had set aside space for a pipeorgan. The church was now faced with buying another elec-tronic instrument or investing in the real thing. We ultimatelydecided to fulfill the 50-year-old vision of the congregation andfinally purchase a pipe organ!

The organ committee developed criteria for an instrument thatwould lead and support Fremont’s vibrant congregationalsinging, accompany 350 years of choral literature, and work wellas a solo instrument and with seasonal full orchestra. The com-mittee desired a versatile “American Classic” organ by a re-spected American builder—one who had been in business many

44 THE AMERICAN ORGANIST

FREMONT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHSACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

GREAT16 Violone8 Diapason8 Violone8 Harmonic Flute8 Bourdon8 Major Diapason (Solo)4 Octave4 Koppelflöte22⁄3 Twelfth2 Fifteenth13⁄5 Seventeenth

*Cornet IIIMixture III–VSharp Mixture III

16 Double Trumpet8 Trumpet8 French Horn (Solo)8 Clarinet (Solo)4 Clarion8 Tuba (Solo)8 Trompette en Chamade

Chimes (Ch.)Cymbelstern

SOLO16 Salicional (Ch.)8 Major Diapason8 Doppel Flute8 Cello8 Cello Celeste (CC)4 Major Octave

*Grand Cornet V16 Tuba (TC)8 Tuba8 Clarinet8 English Horn8 French Horn8 Fagotto (Ch.)8 Chimes (Ch.)8 Harp (Ch.)4 Celesta (Ch.)16 Trompette en Chamade

(Gt., TC) 8 Trompette en Chamade

(Gt.)Nightingale

SWELL16 Lieblich Gedeckt8 Geigen8 Rohrflöte8 Viola da Gamba8 Voix Céleste (CC)8 ˚Flute Dolce8 ˚Flute Celeste4 Spitz Principal4 Spire Flute4 Lieblich Gedeckt22⁄3 Nazard2 Doublette2 Piccolo13⁄5 Tierce

Plein Jeu IV–V16 Bombarde8 Trumpet8 Oboe8 ˚Vox Humana4 Clarion8 Harp (Ch.)8 Trompette en Chamade

(Gt.)

CHOIR16 Salicional8 Principal8 *Open Flute8 Gedeckt 8 Salicional8 Voix céleste (GG)8 Dulciana8 Celeste (GG)4 Octave4 Harmonic Flute22⁄3 Quint2 Super Octave13⁄5 Terz11⁄3 Larigot11⁄7 Septième

Mixture III–IV16 Fagotto8 Fagotto8 Cromorne8 English Horn (Solo)8 ˚Harp4 ˚Celesta8 Tuba (Solo)16 Trompette en Chamade

(TC) (Gt.)8 Trompette en Chamade

(Gt.)˚Chimes

PEDAL32 ˚Violone (1–12)32 ˚Bourdon16 ˚Open Wood16 Principal16 Subbass16 Violone (Gt.)16 Salicional (Ch.)16 Lieblich Gedeckt (Sw.)102⁄3˚Quint8 Octave8 Bass Flute8 Violone (Gt.)8 Open Flute (Ch.)8 Salicional (Ch.)8 Gedeckt (Sw.)4 Choral Bass4 Flute

*Mixture IV32 ˚Posaune (1–12)32 ˚Fagotto16 Posaune16 Double Trumpet (Gt.)16 Bombarde (Sw.)16 Fagotto (Ch.)8 Posaune8 Bombarde (Sw.)8 Clarinet (Solo)8 Fagotto (Ch.)4 Clarion Bartique4 Clarinet (Solo)8 Tuba (Solo)8 Trompette en Chamade

(Gt.)

˚ = preparation with digital voice

* = console preparation

Christ United Methodist ChurchPlano, TexasOpus 2235

Four manuals, 90 ranks

Fremont Presbyterian Church (photo: Mark Newitt)

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decades, and was likely to continue to be in business foryears to come. Reuter was making the sound we knew ourcongregation would embrace. It had a phenomenal en-semble—it encouraged congregational singing. Our com-mittee sang with it! It had marvelous depth and buoy-ancy. The reeds had clarity and fire! In addition, thecompany had the longest warranty (eleven years) andguarantee of any firm we interviewed.

President “JR” Neutel and Vice President Bill Klimaswere marvelous to work with right from the start. To-gether, we crafted and expanded the specification alongour desire for an all-pipe, four-manual, 67-rank instru-ment, including an independent Antiphonal division inthe rear of the 1,000-seat sanctuary. Reuter worked seam-lessly with our architect to design and build an instru-ment as part of a total visual and acoustical upgrade ofFremont’s chancel. They achieved our goal of integratingthe facade, so that it looked like it was designed and builtwith the sanctuary—not an obvious later addition.

During this project, three of us were privileged to take

a trip to Lawrence, Kansas, and tour the Reuter facility.What we found there was an awesome group of peopledoing amazing work. The shop was full of materials andpieces of our pipe organ. The workers were all proud oftheir workmanship, as each pipe, each windchest, andeach necessary part was handcrafted and assembled byone of these employees. What an experience to see thiswork of art in process!

The installation went without a hitch, and the com-pany has been responsive and generous as we have con-tinued to refine the organ in its large and acoustically livespace. The completed instrument was dedicated to theGlory of God in January 2011, and Stephen Drew’s inau-gural recital followed in May to an appreciative, capacitycongregation. If Fremont had to do it all over again, wewould definitely select the good folks at Reuter. We’revery pleased. The Lord’s name is praised, and the churchis continuing to grow!

STEPHEN DREW

CHERYL ESCHOFF

MAY 2012 45

GREAT16 Sub Principal8 Diapason8 Principal8 Harmonic Flute8 Gedeckt4 Octave4 Spillflöte22⁄3 Twelfth2 Fifteenth13⁄5 Seventeenth

Fourniture III–IVMixture II–IV

16 Bombarde (Sw.)8 Trumpet8 Clarinet (Ch.)8 English Horn (Ch.)8 Tuba (Ch.)8 Trompette en Chamade

ChimesCymbelstern

SWELL16 Rohrflöte8 Geigen Principal8 Rohrflöte8 Viola8 Viola Celeste (GG)4 Geigen Octave4 Hohlflöte22⁄3 Nazard2 Doublette2 Waldflöte13⁄5 Tierce

Plein Jeu V16 Bombarde8 Trompette8 Oboe4 Clarion

PEDAL32 Bourdon16 Diapason16 Bourdon16 Sub Principal (Gt.)16 Rohrflöte (Sw.)16 Erzähler (Ch.)8 Octave8 Bourdon8 Principal (Gt.)8 Harmonic Flute (Gt.)8 Rohrflöte (Sw.)8 Erzähler (Ch.)4 Choral Bass4 Bourdon4 Harmonic Flute (Gt.)32 Bombarde16 Posaune16 Bombarde (Sw.)16 Clarinet (Ch.)8 Posaune8 Bombarde (Sw.)4 Posaune4 Clarinet (Ch.)8 Tuba (Ch.)8 Trompette en Chamade

Chimes (Gt.)

CHOIR16 Erzähler8 Principal8 Open Flute8 Bourdon8 Erzähler8 Erzähler Celeste (TC)4 Octave4 Harmonic Flute2 Super Octave11⁄3 Larigot

Mixture II–IV16 Clarinet8 Petite Trompette8 English Horn8 Clarinet16 Tuba (TC)8 Tuba16 Trompette en Chamade (TC)8 Trompette en Chamade

ANTIPHONAL16 Erzähler (Ch.)8 Prestant8 Gross Flute8 Koppelflöte8 Dulciana8 Unda Maris (TC)8 Principal (Gt.)8 Harmonic Flute (Gt.)4 Octave4 Flachflöte2 Flachflöte 8 Flügel Horn8 English Horn (Ch.)8 Clarinet (Ch.)16 Tuba (TC) (Ch.)8 Tuba (Ch.)16 Trompette en Chamade (TC)8 Trompette en Chamade

Fremont Presbyterian ChurchSacramento, California

Opus 2239Four manuals, 67 ranks

Constructing the 32' Bourdon

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