Pohick Organ
The Pohick Organ, Noack Opus 37, 1969, was built in 1968 by the Noack Organ Co., of Georgetown Massachusetts. The organ case was designed by Charles Fisk and Fritz Noack. The engravings were the work of Roger Martin. John Fesperman of the Smithsonian Museum was the organ consultant.
Noack - Opus 37, 1969 | Pohick Episcopal Church - Lorton, VA, US | Pipe Organ Database
The Noack organ was conceived according to the principles of the Orgel bewegung or organ reform movement which began in Europe in the late 1950s. This was a return to classical organ building as it was practiced in the 17th and 18th centuries. The organ’s style followed the Germanic school with an emphasis on brightness and articulation. The two manual divisions were built as contrasting organs both tonally and spatially.
In 2004, Pohick Church engaged David M. Storey of Baltimore, Maryland to expand the instrument. It was decided to expand the tonal resources of the organ. In its original Noack design the organ had 13 stops with a total of 17 ranks and 880 pipes. There are now 16 stops on the organ for a total of 18 ranks and 948 pipes.
The additional stops were added to the Great division: an 8' Diapason and a soft 8' String stop. The size of the Mixture was decreased, and added a Twelfth for more color. The Sesquialtera was moved to the Positiv forming all five pitches of a Cornet. An 8' reed stop was added on the Great utilizing the Pedal Trumpet extended by 24 pipes so it could be played from the Great as well as the Pedal.
To fit the additional pipes into the case we moved 14 of the very largest wooden pipes out of the case. They now stand against the back wall behind the organ. These are the lowest pitches of the pedal stops. We built a new 9 stop slider wind chest for the Great with a totally new key and stop action. The Positiv and Pedal wind chests, pipes, key and stop action remained unchanged. The organ retains all of its pipes save the original Mixture and Larigot.
Additional work included cleaning and refinishing the manual and pedal keys, cleaning the gold leafed carvings, redesigning the wind system for proper operation, repairing and painting the case, repairing and polishing the tin façade pipes and providing all new stop knobs.
The 2005 Noack-Storey Organ was rededicated on February 5, 2005 at a service of Choral Evensong with a recital by Victoria Shields Harding, Pohick’s Minister of Music. Hymn and instrumental selections ranged from the Baroque through Contemporary periods, demonstrating the organ’s new versatility.
David M. Storey 2005 | Pohick Episcopal Church - Lorton, VA, US | Pipe Organ Database
Our thanks goes out to the many contributors to this restoration, as well as to all the orginal benefactors. Their generosity will help enrich Pohick’s congregational worship for many years to come.
Great
Diapason 8′
Stopt Diapason 8′
Salicional 8′
Trumpet 8′
Principal 4′
Spireflute 4′
Twelfth 2-2/3′
Gemshorn 2′
Mixture III
Positiv
Gedeckt 8′
Flute 4′
Principal 2′
Cornet II
Pedal
The Pohick Organ preceeding the current instrument was:
Hinners Organ Company 1929 | Pohick Church - Lorton (Accotink), VA, US | Pipe Organ Database
Prior to this installtion was another organ from the late 1800's located on the floor of the Nave to the right of the altar.