Cathedral Estey in Montana to get complete facelift

The Cathedral of St. Helena in Helena, Montana has contracted with the Wicks Organ Company of Highland, Illinois for a complete rebuilding and enlargement of its historic Estey pipe organ. The Estey organ, opus 1250, was completed in 1914 – a gallery organ was later added by Balcom and Vaughn. The organ originally boasted twin consoles, and is “divided” in the spacious Gothic-revival-style chancel area.

Virtually all of the existing Estey pipework will be used, with new Wicks pipework scaled and voiced to match the original work. Pressures will be lowered in order to facilitate better blending of all pipes and a clear, “unforced” sound, while carefully maintaining the original sound and character of the organ. New Wicks Direct-electric® action chests will be built for all pipes, new and old, as well as a new Wicks console, constructed to harmonize with the Cathedral’s appointments.

The enlarged specification was drawn by Wicks personnel in consultation with Dale Fleck, the organist and director of music for the Cathedral. Recently, all of the “C” pipes were set by John Sperling, tonal director emeritus for Wicks, with Dale Fleck on hand for approval.

Work is currently underway at the Wicks shop in Highland, Illinois, with delivery of the organ to the Cathedral expected in October of 2008.

GREAT: (Unexpressive)

16 Gemshorn, 73 pipes*
8 First Open Diapason, 61 pipes*
8 Second Open Diapason, 61 pipes
8 Harmonic Flute, 61 pipes*
8 Gemshorn, from 16 Gemshorn
8 Violone, from Swell
8 Violone II, from Swell
4 Octave, 61 pipes
4 Open Flute, 61 pipes*
2 Fifteenth, 61 pipes
IV Mixture, 19.22.26.29, 244 pipes
8 Tromba, 73 pipes* (original Swell Cornopean)
4 Tromba Clarion, from 8 Tromba
Blank
Tremolo

SWELL: (Expressive)

16 Lieblich Bass, 92 pipes*
8 Stopped Diapason, from 16 Lieblich Bass
8 Violone, 61 pipes
8 Violone Celeste II, 61 pipes* (original Swell “labial” Oboe)
4 Octave, 61 pipes
4 Traverse Flute, 61 pipes*
4 Violone Celeste II, from 8 Violone and 8 Violone Celeste II
2 Flageolet, 61 pipes*
II Sesquialtera, 12.17, 61 pipes, 2-2/3 from 16 Lieblich Bass
IV-V Chorus Mixture, 15.19.22.26, 257 pipes
16 Bassoon, 73 pipes
8 Trumpet, 73 pipes
8 Oboe, from 16 Bassoon
4 Clarion, from 8 Trumpet
Blank
Tremolo

CHOIR: (Expressive)

8 Geigen Principal, 61 pipes*
8 Clarabella, 61 pipes*
8 Flute Celeste II, 61 pipes*
4 Octave, 73 pipes
4 Magic Flute, 73 pipes
4 Flute Celeste II, from 8 Clarabella and 8 Flute Celeste II
2 Fifteenth, from 4 Octave
2 Piccolo, from 4 Magic Flute
1-1/3 Nineteenth, from 4 Octave
8 Clarinet, 61 pipes*
Blank
Tremolo
Chimes, original 21 tubes
Zimbelstern, 7 bells

GALLERY PEDAL: (Expressive)

16 Gedeckt Bass, from Gallery I
8 Principal, from Gallery I
8 Gedeckt, from Gallery I
8 Salicional, from Gallery II
4 Octave, from Gallery I
8 Herald Tuba, from Gallery I
4 Herald Tuba, from Gallery I

GALLERY I: (Expressive)

8 Principal, 85 pipes*
4 Octave, from 8 Principal
2 Fifteenth, from 8 Principal
8 Herald Tuba, 61 pipes, unenclosed, hooded, 10” wind pressure

GALLERY II: (Expressive)

16 Gedeckt Bass, 97 pipes*
8 Gedeckt, from 16 Gedeckt Bass
8 Salicional, 61 pipes*
8 Voix Celeste II, 49 pipes*
4 Gedeckt, from 16 Gedeckt Bass
2-2/3 Nazard, from 16 Gedeckt Bass
2 Flautino, from 16 Gedeckt Bass
8 Herald Tuba, from Gallery I