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SHENENDEHOWA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, CLIFTON PARK, NY
In 1997, Shenendehowa UMC was seeking a new organ with pipes and a custom pipe façade. However, there was very limited space for pipes. The solution was a new Allen Renaissance organ with 6 ranks of pipes and 51 digital ranks.
FIRST REFORMED CHURCH OF SCOTIA, SCOTIA, NY
First Reformed Church of Scotia embarked on a search for a new organ in 2012. Their pipe organ needed extensive repairs. It was too small to provide adequate sound for the sanctuary. There was no space available for additional pipes.
The solution was the June Selke Memorial Organ, installed in July, 2013. This versatile instrument is a custom Allen hybrid organ consisting of 4 manuals and 132 ranks (5 pipe, 127 digital). It has the power to support congregational singing and the tonal colors to play organ music of many different eras and styles. In particular, it contains suites to mimic the tonal styles of: Allen Classic (eclectic American), Aeolian-Skinner, French Romantic (Cavaillé-Coll), English Cathedral, North German Baroque (Arp Schnitger), and American Neo-Baroque (Schlicker).
Justan Foster, the organist at the time of the installation, wrote: “Part of the reason that we settled on a hybrid was the symbolic way in which it reflected our congregation: pipes —both reincorporated and newly designed — to reaffirm our traditions, and digital ranks for additional resources to enhance our worship for the many years yet to come. Again, I (we) say kudos … on a magnificent instrument that will serve the next generation(s) in our journey of faith.”
ST. LUKE’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, SCHENECTADY, NY
The pipe organ at St. Luke’s needed significant repairs that would require rebuilding its console and replacing the console control system. The cost to do so approached the cost of a new Allen console.
By essentially replacing their console with an Allen, a hybrid organ was created using 15 of St. Luke’s existing ranks of pipes and an additional 32 digital ranks. To add even more tonal options, this instrument includes Allen’s six classic suites of digital sounds and their three theater organ suites.
This versatile instrument was installed in 2022. It fills the space with glorious sound and will serve St. Luke’s well for many years to come.