ABOUT OPUS 87

          With respect to our instrument for St. Andrew United Methodist Church,  our primary objective was to provide an organ that could support the church service through accompanying congregational and choral singing, perform alongside the church's orchestra or be used for solo recitals.  Specifically, the instrument has been built upon a strong foundation of unison tone with a wide dynamic range.  One of the largest new instruments the company has built, Opus 87 features generously scaled stops on moderate wind pressures, taking full advantage of the fine acoustics in St. Andrew's new sanctuary.  Three of the four manual divisions are under expression and the console has been provided with a state-of-the -art system of pistons to permit organists as much flexibility as possible.  The instrument's Solo division features a number of stops of an orchestral nature, including:

• the 8' Concert Flute.  This is a very large-scale harmonic flute stop made out of wood.

• the 8' Orchestral Viole and Viole Celeste.  These two stops are made from a 70% tin alloy and have a very narrow scale for a vivid string tone.  The Celeste stop is internally out of tune to provide a gentle undulating effect with the Orchestral Viole.

• the 8' French Horn.  This is similar to a large-scale trumpet stop, but features completely capped resonators with regulating slots cut into the side.  It has been built with closed shallots to provide a dark, round tone.

• the 8' Tuba.  This stop is built with English shallots, features resonators fabricated from very thick pipe metal, and is voiced on 16" of wind pressure for a uniquely rich tone that dominates the instrument.

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Timeline of Events:

June 2000 – Initial inquires began with Orgues Letourneau Ltee

November 2000 – Contract was signed

January 2002 – Construction of the organ began

February 2003 – Organ completed at factory

February 17-19, 2003 – Delivery of Organ to Church & unloading

March 11, 2003 – Installation began

May 18, 2003 – Organ first used in Worship Services

September 7, 2003, 9:30am & 11:00am – Liturgical Dedication by Joyce Jones and Bradley Reznicek

September 7, 2003, 4:00pm – Children’s Concert by Joyce Jones (an introduction to the organ)

September 7, 2003, 7:00pm – Instruments and Voices Concert

Includes:

• a 30-minute solo concert by Joyce Jones (different from following evening)

• Choral works by Voices A Cappella and St. Andrew Chancel Choir accompanied by Bradley Reznicek, organist

• Congregational Singing

December 2003 – Plano Symphony Orchestra with St. Andrew Chancel Choir and BR @ the Letourneau organ, in a Christmas Celebration.

Spring 2004 – Concert with professional orchestra featuring St. Andrew Chancel Choir in Durufle’s Requiem and Poulenc’s Organ Concerto in G minor, Bradley Reznicek, organist.

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