News release from Trinity Episcopal Church:
2000 refurbished organ pipes ready for May 31 concert
(May 18, 2015) – After several months of work, a new organ console and over 2000 refurbished pipes will make their debut in a free concert at Trinity Episcopal Church in Fort Wayne on May 31. The 5 p.m. concert is open to the public at the church, 611 West Berry in downtown Fort Wayne.
Wayne Peterson, Trinity’s music director for the past 28 years, will perform a program featuring pieces by Mozart, Franck, Mathias, Cecile, Messiaen and Saint-Saens/Lamare.
The Rt. Rev. Edward Little, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana, will bless the organ at the 10 a.m. service that morning. Bishop Little, who is retiring, will also preach and confirm/receive new members at that time.
Work on the 70-year-old instrument began about four months ago. Workers from Cornel Zimmer of Denver, NC have refurbished the pipes and built a new console with state of the art circuitry, replacing the 1940s technology that often required creative repairs.
The monies for the organ restoration have come from fund raising with the primary donor being the Alice C. Thompson memorial fund. The organ has been renamed in her honor and family members and other donors will be recognized at a reception following the concert.
Thompson died October 10, 2013 and is interred in Trinity’s columbarium. She was a strong supporter of Trinity’s music program for over 50 years and also supported the Red Cross, Junior League and WBNI.
Photographs of the organ restoration as well as short clips of the tuning process on the pipes can be found at Trinity’s Facebook page. More information about the church is available on the website www.trinityfw.org. You may also call 260-423-1693 for information.