Opus 69 Dobson Organ

The organ in the Great Hall of Pakachoag Church was built by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders Ltd. of Lake City, Iowa. When this Opus 69 instrument was installed, the builder was already a highly regarded name among contemporary American organ makers. Dobson has since added to its reputation, adding installations of national repute and significance, assuring that this firm's name will be enduring and its mark indelible.

The Pakachoag organ was designed for a relatively small (seating capacity 200), but acoustically live, room that is well suited for chamber music. It is a robust two manual, mechanical key action, electric stop action instrument that is large enough to support a full range of recital literature, in addition to fulfilling its primary role as a service instrument. The Worcester area is replete with a fine variety of significant organs, and the selection of the Dobson was intended to add dimension to this already diverse and worthy mix.

Pakachoag Church was guided in the selection of this instrument by its then resident Organist and Director of Music, Patricia Snyder, DMA. Guests recitalists have included Jeffrey Brillhart (dedicatory concert 1997), Martin Baker (1999), Katharine Pardee (1999), Murray Forbes Somerville (2000), Peter Sykes (2001), Brett Maguire (2002), Scott Lamlein (2007), and for the tenth anniversary of the installation in 2007, Andrew Shenton, Patricia Snyder, Ian Watson, and Donald Meineke.

GREAT

16 Bourdon
8 Prestant
8 Chimney Flute
4 Octave
4 Nachthorn
2 2/3 Nazard
2 Super Octave
1 3/5 Tierce
1 1/3 Mixture IV
8 Trumpet
Swell to Great

SWELL (expressive)

8 Gedackt
8 Salicional
8 Celeste (FF)
4 Principal
4 Traverse Flute
2 Piccolo
1 1/3 Quinte
2 Mixture IV
16 Bassoon
8 Oboe
Tremulant

PEDAL

16 Subbass
16 Bourdon (Gt.)
8 Principal
8 Spire Flute
4 Octave
16 Trombone
8 Trumpet (ext.)
Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal

Mechanical key action; electric stop action with multilevel combination action.