The E.M. Skinner organ dates from 1930 and was one of the last instruments Ernest Skinner designed and finished before he retired from the company. It represents the culmination of his career and reflects the influences of Willis, Cavaille-Coll, and G. Donald Harrison. All of the unique orchestral voices invented or perfected by Skinner are found on the organ as well as a progressive treatment of a well-developed diapason chorus.

The organ chamber is located at the lofty triforium level in the south wall near the front of the cathedral. From a rather shallow 15’ deep chamber finished with hard plaster, the organ speaks clearly into the perfect acoustics of the cathedral. The console was originally housed in the choir loft opposite the pipe chamber but was moved in 1980 to the floor level of the sanctuary where the music area now is located.

In the late 1980’s the chests and pipework were carefully restored by Sam Koontz of Ann Arbor, Michigan, who passed away as the work was nearing completion. The organ is currently serviced by the James Leek Organ Company of Oberlin, Ohio. The organ remains today as Skinner left it in 1930, both tonally and mechanically.

http://www.organsociety.org

Refer to the events listing on this site for concerts at the cathedral featuring the organ.