Organ

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Information About the Organ

John Brombaugh and his Associates from Eugene, Oregon began construction in January 1985 and finished May 1986. Tonal finishing was completed April 1987 Brombaugh Organbefore the organ's dedication April 1987.

History

Histroy of the Iowa State Organs and Harpsichords can be viewd here.

Layout

Reminiscent of the organs made by the most important North German organ builder of  the Baroque era, Arp Schnitger (1648-1719)

Size

34 stops; 50 ranks; 2,326 pipes

Materials

  • Main case: Appalachian white oak (fumed with ammonia, then oiled)
  • Lower Case and Keydesk: Ebony, beech, zebra-wood, maple, Brazilian rosewood
  • Manuals: Naturals are Sitka spruce with cow shin bone coverings; sharps are of ebony
  • Pipeshades & Brustwerk Doors: make use of American walnut carved to resemble shafts of wheat, painted and gilded with 23 karat gold leaf
  • Slider wind chests: white oak, western red cedar and sugar pine
  • Wood pipes: white oak, Alaskan yellow cedar and alder
  • Metal pipes: hammered sheets of tin/lead alloy; the majority of pipes are 98% lead to produce a vocal quality; a few sets use 86% tin to give a silvery quality; another group uses 23% tin

Temperament

Unequal developed by the organ builder 

Wind Supply

Wind pressure of 73 mm (2 7/8") is supplied by a blower and wedge bellows located in the basement.

Keyboard  Compasses

  • Manuals: C-g''', 56 notes
  • Pedals: C-f, 30 notes

Key & Stop Action Mechanical Organs at Iowa State University Listed by Builder

  • John Brombaugh, 34 stops, 1987 
  • Lynn Dobson, 15 stops, 1982 
  • Lynn Dobson, 3 stops, 1980 
  • Helmut Wolff, 7 stops, 1975

Degree Options in Organ Study 

  • Bachelor of Music
    • Performance
    • Education
    • Composition
  • Bachelor of Arts in Music
  • Minor in Music

Recordings with the Brombaugh Organ are available by contacting the Iowa State University Music Office 149, telephone (515) 294-3831.

Recitals of guest artists, faculty, and students are held throughout the year. The annual Organists of Iowa series is supported by the Sukup family of Sheffield, Iowa.

 

Brombaugh Organ, op. 29 layout

If you would like to support organ activities at Iowa State University, please contact the ISU Foundation at www.foundation.iastate.edu or at 2505 University Blvd., Ames, IA 50011 and designate your gift for the Organ Performance Fund (1913122) Your generosity and support is greatly appreciated.

Transcript or Alternate URL: 
Organ Informational Video