THE HOLTKAMP ORGAN
North Christian’s pipe organ is one of the very last instruments designed by Walter Holtkamp Sr. before his death. His son, Walter Jr., completed the project and it was installed in 1964. During the design phase of NCC Saarinen himself suggested Holtkamp to build the organ:
“In the North Christian Church, my thinking has always been to make the organ pipes an important element in the sanctuary design. I think, therefore, we must have an organ builder who understands the visual potential of his instruments, and on this basis I would like to recommend Walter Holtkamp.” (Eero Saarinen, letter to J. Irwin Miller, March 22, 1961)
The organ consultant was Vernon de Tar, who also played the dedicatory recital. The organ is in original condition, except for the addition of a solid state combination system (the original setter board can still be seen, however) and an added tremulant to the Positiv. The Great is on a slider chest and the rest of the organ is on pitman chests.
Specifications
Great: (61 notes)
- Quintadena 16’
- Principal 8’
- Gedeckt 8’
- Octave 4’
- Spitzflöte 4’
- Doublette 2’
- Mixture IV 1-1/3’
- Dulzian 16’
- Trumpet 8’
Positiv: (56 notes)
- Copula 8’
- Principal 4’
- Rohrflöte 4’
- Nazard 2-2/3’
- Octave 2’
- Blockflöte 2’
- Tierce 1-3/5’
- Fourniture IV
- Cromorne 8’
- Tremulant
Swell: (61 notes, expressive)
- Gamba 8’
- Celeste 8’
- Bourdon 8’
- Flauto Dolce 8’
- Gemshorn 4’
- Flautino 2’
- Basson 16’
- Fagott 8’
- Clairon 4’
Pedal: (32 notes)
- Basso Coperto 16’
- Subbass 16’
- Quintadena 16’ (Great)
- Octave 8’
- Gedeckt 8’
- Quinte 5-1/3’
- Choralbass 4’
- Flute 4’
- Mixture IV
- Posaune 16’
- Dulzian 16’ (Great)
- Trumpet 8’
- Schalmei 4’