Hello Listers:

I have talked with many of you and have received some great advice.  I
need help again, please!

I have a simple request (yeah, sure):

My church is looking to install a pipe organ.  Sanctuary seats roughly 80
to 90 people (2 set of 9 pews that seat 4-5 comfortably across);
attendance is usually 40-45 every Sunday.  Choir of 16 seated in front on
the central axis of the room (behind Communion table, pulpit, and font).
I am hoping to install the organ pipes behind and perhaps beside the
choir, so the sound is projected as forward as possible.

We have carpet on the pulpit level, in the choir loft, and on the center
aisle.  We have seat cushions, also.  Neither of these is negotiable, as
the trustees are in the process of having these replaced, so I cannot
remove any of these items (they have been ordered).  We have seven good
sized (3' x 5'-ish) stained glass windows and paneling on the walls.  The
ceiling is probably 15-16' high.

We want a good instrument to sing by and to accompany the choir with.
Yes, we have talked to some organ builders, but they each have so many
opinions.  I would like to have some ideas on a good basic instrument
(4 to maybe 6 or 7 ranks).  Recommendations on strings (especially one
with a good celeste juxtaposed) would be particularly welcome (dulciana &
unda maris, vs. viole & viole celeste, vs. gemshorn & gemshorn celeste?).
How about a reed - for solo and ensemble, so I don't waste room on a
chest?  Oboe, horn, trumpet?

Given the dimensions, give me any ideas, please.  Also, organ builders out
there, tell me if these are inappropriate questions, since none of you has
visited this particular room.  As a therapist, I do not diagnose over the
phone, but I have given many preliminary thoughts on courses of action I
might recommend.  Organ building is not speech-language pathology,
however, so my analogy may not hold here, but, any info./ideas would be
considered.

Thanks in advance,
David Kenney

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