The Newberry Memorial Organ is among the largest and most notable

symphonic organ The symphonic organ is a style of pipe organ that flourished during the first three decades of the 20th century in town halls and other secular public venues, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom. It has roots in 19th-century ...

s in the world. Located in

Woolsey Hall Woolsey Hall is the primary auditorium at Yale University, located on the campus' Hewitt Quadrangle in New Haven, Connecticut. It was built as part of the Bicentennial Buildings complex that includes the Memorial Rotunda and the University Comm ...

Yale University Yale University is a private research university in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1701 as the Collegiate School, it is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and among the most prestigious in the wo ...

, the organ contains 197 ranks and 166 stops comprising 12,617 pipes. The original Woolsey Hall organ was built by the Hutchings-Votey Organ Company of Boston in 1902. The organ was enlarged in 1915 by the J.W. Steere & Son Organ Company of Springfield, Massachusetts. The instrument was expanded again to its current configuration and size in 1927–1928 by the Skinner Organ Company of Boston as its Opus 722, under the direction of Ernest M. Skinner and his new Superintendent, recently arrived from England, G. Donald Harrison. The completed instrument reflects the combined skills of many talented organ-builders, all overseen by university organist Harry Benjamin Jepson and funded by the family of

John Stoughton Newberry John Stoughton Newberry (November 18, 1826 – January 2, 1887) was an American industrialist and politician. He served as the first provost marshal for the State of Michigan and as a U.S. Representative from the state of Michigan. Early life N ...

. The legacy of the Newberry Organ, as envisioned by its builders and Yale's curators and musicians, from prior to 1900 to the present, has resulted in a landmark musical instrument, widely considered to reflect a unique American style. The organ is maintained in original playing condition, including its original combination action, and receives heavy use for Yale and community events. It is maintained by the Associate Curators of Organs, Nicholas Thompson-Allen and Joseph F. Dzeda.

Notes

{{reflist

External links

Organ's specificationsTreasures of Yale: Newberry Memorial Organ
(official video, 2012) New Haven, Newberry Memorial Organ Yale University