Our Organ
In the early 2000s, it became clear that the organ at the time, a Reuter installed when the west gallery was expanded in the late 1960s, was nearing the end of its life. It was recommended that the parish consider the Schoenstein company of San Francisco, a leader in “symphonic” instruments, which aim to include as many tonal colors as possible for effective accompaniment of choral and congregational singing in addition to organ repertoire. After a field trip to St. Paul’s, K Street in Washington, DC, where Schoenstein installed their landmark first organ on the East Coast in 1996, the committee approved of the builder, and by 2005 St. Paul’s, Ivy had its own Schoenstein. It has three manuals (Swell, Great, Solo) and pedal, 18 ranks, and electro-pneumatic action. It also has a one-rank Nave division (underneath the gallery), which helps to pull the organ’s sound through the ceiling to the pews, and to support congregational singing in the back of the nave. Despite its small size, the organ’s two enclosed divisions, tonal choices, and creative layout give it surprising versatility in accompaniment, and it’s equally at home whispering behind a choir and roaring underneath a full congregation.
For complete specifications download our document, or visit the Schoenstein & Co. Stop List Publication, page 2005 152, or Pipe Organ Database.
Our Pianos
St. Paul’s has three pianos. In the nave is our newest, a Kimball La Petite baby grand, on generous loan from an anonymous parishioner. There is also a grand piano in the parish hall and an upright in the choir room, as well as a small collection of digital instruments for versatile use.