...crafted with integrity and uncommon care.

Installations

ST. MARK'S UNITED CHURCH
Whitby, Ontario, Canada
PD 343

"What a mighty fine instrument!!! Wow!!! Very, very impressive!!!" -John Leek, organist, St. Mark's United Church, Whitby, Ontario.

Installing this three manual digital organ of 43 stops was a joy for Phoenix Organs. With more than 3 seconds reverberation, this sanctuary is wonderful for church organ sound, but it was especially perfect for our French organ specification. The first spec is English with pipe samples from respected Harrison and Harrison and Willis organs. The second is a thrilling French spec and the third a combination of suitable orchestral digital samples and organ samples. 

Organist John Leek studied at the Royal School of Church Music in England, as did Phoenix Tonal Director, Donald Anderson. The two were on-the-same-page when it came to the voicing of the English specification and choice of pipe samples.

St. Mark's United is located in the town of Whitby, just east of the city of Toronto. Committee Chairperson, Don Nicholls worked with Phoenix staff to co-ordinate the purchase of a digital organ to replace the pipe organ, which was in need of very expensive repairs. A new organ, grand piano and PA system were all part of the major renovations to the church. It was decided the old pipe organ should be left in tact in the event a future generation may consider resurrecting it. The old carpeting on the platform was replaced with oak flooring, thereby improving the already excellent acoustic.

As with every non-winded church organ, speaker placement is very important. Organ speakers were installed in the pipe chambers and on top of the Swell box in such a way that the C-C# chest configuration was maintained.

At right, organist John Leek is seated at the console with Donald Anderson standing.