First Presbyterian Church has two outstanding mechanical-action pipe organs. Mechanical action organs are so-called because there is a mechanical connection (as opposed to an electrical one) between the key and the pipe. Sometimes these organs are called “Tracker” organs because the device connecting the key and the pipe is called a “tracker”. Until the advent of electricity, all organs were of mechanical action. These organs are more durable and more easily maintained than their electric action counterparts. FPC is the only church in Dallas with two mechanical action pipe organs.
The KATE FRIERSON MEMORIAL ORGAN in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church was built by Robert Sipe, and inaugurated in 1977. Approximately 30% of the pipes in this organ came from the E. M , Skinner organ that was in use in the sanctuary from 1922-1975.
GREAT ORGAN POSITIV ORGAN
16’ Bourdon 8’ Flute Ouverte
8’ Principal 8’ Holzgedackt
8’ Gedackt 4’ Principal
4’ Octave 4’ Spillflote
2’ Super Octave 2’ Octave
II Sesquialtera 1 1/3 Larigot
IV Mixtur IV Scharf
III Cymbal 8’ Cromorne
8’ Trompete 16’ Trompette-en-Chamade
4’ Klarine 8’ Trompette-en-Chamade
Tremulant Tremulant
SWELL ORGAN PEDAL ORGAN
8’ Rohrflote 32’ Untersatz
8’ Gemshorn 16’ Principal
8’ Gemshorn Celeste 16’ Subbass
4’ Principal 8’ Octave
4’ Nachthorn 4’ Choral Bass
2 2/3 Nazard IV Mixtur
2’ Waldflote 32’ Kontra Fagott
1 3/5 Tierce 16’ Posaune
IV Plein Jeu 8’ Trompete
16’ Basson
8’ Hautbois Gt, Pos, Sw to Pedal
8’ Vox Humana Pos, Sw to Great
8’ Trompette-en-chamade Sw to Positiv
Tremulant Electric stop action (16 levels)
Zimbelstern
The Sudie George Chapel houses an organ that was inspired by the instruments of Aristide Cavaille-Coll (France, 1811-1899). It was built by Dan Jaeckel in 1988 and is dedicated to the memory of W. Neill Stewart, Jr.
GRANDE-ORGUE RECIT
16’ Bourdon 8’ Cor de Nuit
8’ Montre 8’ Viole de Gambe
8’ Salicional 8’ Voix Celeste
8’ Flute Harmonique 4’ Flute Octaviante
4’ Prestant IV Plein Jeu (2’doubledraw)
8’Trompette
PEDAL ORGAN
16’ Soubasse GO, REC to PED
8’ Montre REC to GO
Recit Ventil Tremulant
Tom Froehlich has been the organist at First Presbyterian Church since August 1977. He graduated cum laude from Lawrence University where he was a student of Miriam Clapp Duncan. As a student of Wolfgang Rubsam, he was awarded a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University. He has done doctoral work at the University of North Texas with Charles Brown.
Mr. Froehlich went to Paris where he studied organ for 3 years with Marie-Claire Alain and also studied improvisation with Jean Langlais. Concurrent to this he served as Organist-Choirmaster at St Michael’s Anglican Church in Paris