Daniel Roth at St. Peter’s
“The Skinner organ of St. Peter’s is a masterpiece - a landmark in the history of American organ building. As I experienced first-hand during my 2023 recital at the church, the original console is worn out, and in the 21st century its technology limits what the instrument can do. I cannot wait to see how Dobson’s innovative scheme for a new console unlocks the full potential of this magnificent organ.”
- Daniel Roth, Organist Emeritus of the Church of Saint-Sulpice, Paris
“In my view, they [Dobson Pipe Organ Builders] are the best people on the planet to do the St. Peter’s console.”
- Nick Thompson-Allen of A. Thompson-Allen Company, maintainers of Skinner Opus 836
The Organ
The great Skinner organ of St. Peter’s has served the church and the Morristown community since 1930. Most organs of this era were either removed or fundamentally altered as musical tastes changed, but our Skinner organ has remained fully intact and unaltered since its installation, making it a rare gem in the history of American organ building and one of the very few surviving examples of a Skinner original in the United States today.
Learn more about our Skinner organ >
What makes our organ special? (FAQ 2) >
The Situation
The Skinner plate
After 95 years of service, the original console has physical limitations and some of the pistons are no longer functional while others are unreliable. In addition to its physical constraints, the instrument also does not incorporate any modern technology, such as multiple memory levels, which many organists as well as composers expect today.
Nick Thompson-Allen of A. Thompson-Allen Company as well as other experts have advised us that many of the physical elements of the organ console cannot be revived, and therefore an attempt at restoration would necessarily include a great many un-original pieces. However, even this would be only a short-term stop gap solution until a replacement is required in a few years.
The New Console
The Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, Ltd., one of the most prestigious firms operating in the United States today, has brought St. Peter’s an innovative solution for a new console, incorporating control technology that ensures that the St. Peter’s organ will support a robust concert program as expected by both local and international organists. The new console will include a solid-state computer system to provide multiple levels of memory as well as more general pistons for greater functionality.
The key to this proposal is the way in which it preserves the historic feel and pneumatic stop action of the original console. Playing this new Dobson console will provide all the functionality and control of a modern instrument with the feel and experience of a 1930s original.
See a sketch of the proposed Dobson console >
Learn more about Dobson Pipes Organ Builder’s solution (FAQ 3) >
The console
The 1930 Console
An important part of The Console Project involves the complete preservation of the original console in its entirety. The console will be relocated in full and will be on display for visitors interested in the history and technology involved. A small blower will be located underneath so that, although not connected to any pipes or sound, the console is still playable. Visitors will be able to not only experience playing the original, but also get an inside look at how Skinner’s complex pneumatic selector system works, as one side of the console will be paneled with glass.
The Campaign
The Console Project will raise $600,000 to cover the cost of the new Dobson console and the full preservation of the original console. We also aim to create a fund to support an ongoing program of world-class organ music at St. Peter’s and to make initial financial provision for the eventual restoration of the organ pipes. The campaign seeks to make this organ and St. Peter’s a core music destination for the community and local, national and international musicians for generations to come.
Learn more about the campaign >
Donations
All gifts are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
To discuss making a large gift or becoming a benefactor, please contact our Campaign Treasurer: ffailla@stpetersmorristown.org
To make a gift now, visit our online giving page. This is the fastest way to support the campaign.
If you are planning to contribute via check, please fill out the form to the right by clicking the ‘Donate by check’ button, and mail your check payable “St Peter’s Episcopal Church - The Console Project” to St Peter’s.
If you need assistance, please call the Church Office at 973-538-0555.
Learn more about Donating (FAQ 4) >
See naming opportunities and levels of giving >
The Console Project members:
President: Mr. Daniel Roth, Organist Emeritus, Church of Saint-Sulpice, Paris, France
Director of Music: Dr. Anthony Hammond
Committee: Ms. Olu Beck (Chairperson), Mr. Frank Failla (Treasurer), Mr. Lou Carozza, Mr. Andy Malloy, Ms. Marie-Charlotte Patterson, and Ms. Allie Hammond
Ex Officio: The Rev. Anne Thatcher