A new pipe organ is coming to St. Alban's Episcopal Church near Sabino Canyon and River roads in Tucson.
The organ is expected to be delivered Saturday and installed over the following weeks.
The builder, Paul Fritts of Tacoma, Wash., is one of the leading organ builders in the world today, with instruments at the University of Notre Dame, Arizona State University in Tempe, Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma and St. Joseph Cathedral in Columbus, Ohio, as well as other major institutions.
The St. Alban's organ has many distinctive features, including the use of mechanical ("tracker") action to connect the keys to the pipes. This principle was used in all organs until pneumatic and electric systems became prevalent around 1900. Several organ builders have returned to the earlier technology, and many musicians prefer it because it gives the organist greater control over the "speech" of the pipes.
People are also reading…
The Fritts organ at St. Alban's will be the first large-tracker organ in Tucson. It has casework of clear fir, embossed facade pipes and carvings by the builder's sister, Judy Fritts.
The new organ is most suited for music of the Baroque era but will capably perform more modern music as well. It will be dedicated at a special service on Sept. 23. On Nov. 4 the first of a series of recitals will feature Kimberly Marshall, director of Arizona State University's music school.
To contribute a story, fill out the form at azstarnet.com/foothills
