Update and Conversation with Ric Parsons

A lot is happening with the St. James Organ Project these days. Construction is underway, and we are regularly receiving updates from Parsons Pipe Organ Builders in Canandaigua, New York. Final designs are coming together, and decisions have been made about keyboards, draw knobs, and layout. Many components of the organ have been ordered from suppliers around the globe.

Ric Parsons, President of Parsons Pipe Organ Builders gives us some background on his company, an update on the progress, and a preview of things to come.

Workers are busy in the shop this week cleaning and re-leathering "vintage" pipework, pipes retained from the previous Austin organ and other sources. In addition to the restoration of old pipework, the crew is hard at work in building new pipes, and below you can see the bottom five notes of the new 16' Open Wood in the Pedal division. These massive pipes are measured to scale, cut, glued, and assembled by the skilled craftsmen at Parsons Pipe Organ Builders.

As always, thank you for your donations and for being part of this process with us. Giving is vital to our success. If you haven't had a chance yet, click the yellow "Donate Now" button at the top of this page to join the campaign. Stay tuned for more updates!