Finney will receive different kind of organ donation

Following the graduation of the class of 2001, a new instrument in Finney Chapel will be involved in ceremonies of its own. An organ that will fill a gap of musical repertoire-from the late nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries and especially French romantic pieces-will replace the existing organ during the summer of 2001.

Funding for the $1,185,000 project, scheduled to begin in the summer of 2000, came primarily from an unsolicited donation. In 1991, Kay Africa of Fort Lauderdale, FL left approximately $550,000 in her will in order to purchase the new instrument. Though she had no connection to Oberlin, her attorney was affiliated with the school, according to Professor of Organ and Harpsichord David Boe.

Two major solicited gifts, one from the Phoebe Haas Foundation and the other from the late Richard Connelley OC'50, as well as the sale of the current organ and compounding interest, will supplement Africa's donation in order to finance the organ.

There are three main organs at Oberlin: one in Finney, Warner Concert Hall and Fairchild Chapel. Each is suited for a different musical period.

The organ that is currently in Finney Chapel does not have the necessary projection and range and, because it is not serving the repertoire for which it was made and is not used as often as other organs, is considered a weaker organ, said Acting Director of Public Relations for the Conservatory Peter Nicholson.

He said the present instrument is a good organ but is in an inappropriate location.

It was originally built by E.M. Skinner in 1914 and rebuilt in 1955 by Aeolian-Skinner. The rebuilding occurred during a time of transition in construction techniques, therefore not making it the best for its planned repertoire.

The new organ, in contrast, will "speak louder," be more powerful, have a "greater color palette in terms of voicings" and, overall, make more sounds, according to Nicholson.

C.B. Fisk, Inc. is contracted to create the new organ, which will be built into the old faŤade, or organ case. The pipes designed by Finney Chapel architect Cass Gilbert will be preserved. The key desk, where the organist sits, will be elevated and mounted on the back wall, creating increased floor space for concerts and other performances, Nicholson said.

At the same time, the thinned wooden stage will be replaced, he said.

President of the College Nancy Dye said that the green room will be fixed and the stage apron will be made wider and the restrooms more accessible.

Work in the chapel will begin in the summer of 2000 and will occur during the school year. A deliberate attempt to avoid inconveniences for performers and performance schedules will be made during that time, he added.

Additionally, maintaining or even improving the chapel's acoustics is an aspiration, Nicholson said, which will be worked on by Dana Kirkegaard, a world-renowned acoustician whose recent undertakings include Orchestra Hall in Chicago.

One or two "voicers" from the Fisk company will stay in Oberlin for several months after its installment in order to tune the organ. Nicholson equates their work with "fine-tuning a very complex puzzle."

Nicholson hopes that the new organ will become a "star" instrument, used often by different groups and performers.

Oberlin is currently on a waiting list to build the organ, which accounts for the period of time between the planning for the organ and its installment.