INSTRUMENTS
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The Schudi-Casavant Pipe Organ
The Schudi-Casavant organ in the church has served the parish faithfully since its original installation by the Schudi Organ Company in 1978. This beautiful organ is a marvelous tribute to the skilled craftsmen who constructed it. It is a wonderful musical instrument, which, in the hands of the skilled artists who play it, transport us closer to heaven. Marvin Judy supervised the construction and installation of all parts and collaborated on the stop specification and pipe scales. George Gilliam made the case design, working drawings, stop specifications, and pipe scales. Assisting in the construction and installation were Bradford Allen, Mark Bolden, Chis Bullok, Charles Leonard, and David Zuber. Marvin Judy and George Gilliam voiced the pipes.
Additions to the instrument occurred in 1987 by Marvin Judy. A Trompette en Chamade was added to the third manual and a Contre-Basson to the Pédale. Dr. R. Paul Bordlee, donated the Flûte harmonique (Grand-Orgue) in memory of his mother and of Paul Alphonse Riedo, previous Director of Music.
The Restoration Project
After over four decades of faithful service, it became evident that our beloved pipe organ was in need of restoration. Given the organ’s importance to the community as well its notoriety beyond the parish, it was determined that any scope of work must include the restoration and preservation of the original instrument, arguably the best known of the Schudi company. After extensive evaluation, a complete restoration of the instrument was deemed necessary and began in the summer of 2023. This project included the restoration and refurbishment of the instrument’s pipes, chests, and mechanical components, as well as a new console and new computerized control system.
In addition, in order to better support congregational singing, accompany the parish choirs, and perform organ literature, the organ was enhanced by the addition of some voices. This was in keeping with Marvin Judy’s long-standing plans for the organ. (Marvin Judy was actively engaged in the restoration project until his untimely death in 2020). As such, the restored instrument features a new Récit-expressif division in a modified Cavaillé-Coll style. This new division is scaled and voiced to complement the aesthetic of the original Schudi organ.
Considering the loss of the organ’s original builder, it was crucial to find the right firm to carry out this project – a team with the necessary technical capabilities and experience in the French aesthetic, but also a firm that possessed a mindset of respect for the original instrument so as to restore it and augment it in a seamless way. The parish is pleased to announce that the French-Canadian firm of Casavant Frères of Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, has been chosen to undertake this important work. When complete, the Schudi/ Casavant organ will consist of 3,715 pipes, comprising 71 ranks distributed across four divisions. Re-installation is currently ongoing and the organ should be complete sometime in September 2024.The Revised Specification (2024) I. Grand-Orgue (CC-c)
16 Bourdon
8 Montre
8 Flûte á cheminee
8 Flûte harmonique
8 Gambe (III)
4 Prestant
4 Flûte conique
II Sesquialtera
2 Doublette
IV Fourniture
III Cymbale
8 Trompette
4 Clairon
V Cornet (III)
8 Chamade
Tremulant
Octaves Graves
GO/Pos TransferIII. Recit-expressif (CC-c)
16 Contre Gambe
8 Diapason
8 Cor de Nuit
8 Viole de gambe
8 Voix Céleste
4 Violon
4 Flûte octaviante
2 2/3 Nasard harmonique
2 Octavin
II-V Plein Jeu harmonique
16 Basson
8 Trompette harmonique
8 Basson-Hautbois
8 Voix humaine
V Cornet
Tremulant
Octaves Graves
Recit Muet
Octaves AigueII. Positif-expressif (CC-c)
8 Bourdon
8 Salicional
8 Unda Maris
4 Prestant
4 Flûte á cheminee
2 2/3 Nasard
2 Doublette
2 Quarte de Nasard
1 3/5 Tierce
1 1/3 Larigot
V Cymbale
8 Trompette
8 Cromorne
8 Chamade (I)
Tremulant
Octaves GraveIV. Solo (CC-c)
8 Flûte harmonique (I)
V Cornet (III)
8 Chamade (I)
(8 blank drawknobs for future addtions)
Pédale (CC-g)
32 Bourdon
16 Montre
16 Soubasse
16 Gambe (III)
8 Flûte
8 Bourdon
8 Gambe (III)
4 Prestant
4 Flûte (I)
V Fourniture
32 Contre Basson
16 Bombarde
16 Basson
8 Trompette
4 Clairon
8 Chamade (I)Up Close and Personal with STA’s Pipe Organ
July 12, 2019 — Get a closer look at STA’s magnificent organ, inside and out! In this video interview, Dr. Michael Conrady covers the history, features, special techniques, and a tour of the inside. Brent Johnson of the Organ Media Foundation interviewed STA’s Organist and Choirmaster Dr. Michael Conrady about the magnificent Schudi organ installed in 1978.
During the interview he recounts some of the history of the organ and how it has been modified over the years. Dr. Conrady also demonstrates many features of the organ. STA parishioners will recognize many of the sounds he demonstrates. This fascinating view of the organ is a treat for your eyes and ears! -
The Kney Positive Organ
The Kney Positive Organ at St. Thomas Aquinas is a recent addition to the church's music program. Built by Gabriel Kney, a highly respected organ builder from London, Ontario, this organ is a "positive organ," a type of smaller, portable organ designed to accompany small groups and chamber ensembles. Its key action and stop action are mechanical, providing a direct linkage between the keys and the valves under the pipes, providing the most sensitive and responsive touch possible. Its stop action is actuated by foot levers, a clever design which allows the hands of the player to be free while stops are engaged and disengaged.
The Kney Positive Organ began its life as an organ commissioned for Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI. In 2015, the university determined that the organ was no longer being utilized and began a campaign to find a new home for the instrument. St. Thomas Aquinas Director of Music Michael Conrady flew to Grand Rapids to inspect and make arrangements to acquire the instrument on behalf of the parish. Once the organ was purchased, it was carefully disassembled and packed for shipping to Dallas, Texas.Upon arrival in Dallas, the pipes were placed into storage and the chassis of the instrument was sent to the workshop of Brad Van Vranken, an artisan woodworker and a member of the St. Thomas Schola Cantorum Gregorii. Over the span of several months, the mechanical components of the organ were carefully restored and a new cherrywood cabinet was built for the instrument. Mr. Van Vranken took great care to incorporate the architectural elements of our church into the organ. The new case incorporates design elements from the communion rail arches, baptistery grate, stained glass window arches, and the stone rosette carvings in the presbyterium, among others.
On Christmas Eve of 2015, the Positive organ played for the first time at St. Thomas Aquinas. Like the larger pipe organ in the choir gallery, it is built to provide beautiful music for many decades to come.Specification of the Kney Positive Organ
Manual (CC-f):
Mechanical key and stop action
8 Bourdon
4 Flûte á cheminee
2 Doublette
II Cymbale -
The Holtkamp Pipe Organ
The 1969 Holtkamp organ in the chapel of the St. Thomas Aquinas Lower School was acquired from the First Community Church of Dallas, along with the chapel and church property in 2006 as a part of the expansion of the St. Thomas Aquinas School. Dr. Robert T. Anderson served as the organ consultant.
Specification of the Holtkamp Pipe Organ:
I. Great (CC-c) II. Swell (CC-c) Pedal (CC-g) 8 Gedeckt 8 Copula 16 Subbass 4 Principal 4 Rohrflote 8 Principal 2 Flute 2 Principal 8 Bass Flute IV Mixture 1 1/3 Quint 4 Choralbass 8 Dulzian 16 Dulzian 4 Dulzian 16 Swell to Great Great to Pedal Swell to Great Swell to Pedal
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The Fisk Harpsichord
St. Thomas Aquinas church is fortunate to have a 1980 Peter Fisk French double harpsichord at its disposal for use in services and performances with period ensembles. The Fisk harpsichord has choirs at 8’, 8’, and 4’ pitch, a manual coupler, and a buff stop. The gilded harpsichord features a matching Louis XVI stand with gilded fluted legs and rosettes.. The sound board painting is by William McCarter, formerly of the University of North Texas Art Faculty.
This beautiful instrument is heard at masses and concerts. It is used for the performance of solo harpsichord repertoire, chamber music, and as continuo with chamber ensembles. -