The Saint Thomas Aquinas Organ

Click here to read a description of the organ by one of its builders.

The beautiful Schudi organ is a marvelous tribute to the skilled craftsmen who constructed it. It is a wonderful musical instrument, which, in the hands of the skilled artists who play it, transport us closer to heaven. We should recall the impact having such a remarkable instrument has had on our parish life. A vast crowd of parishioners has raised their voices in songs of praise to God as they gathered to worship each Sunday. Over twenty years, so many lives have been touched by the beautiful music this organ provides—angelic little girls and boys approached the First Communion; confident young men and women approached the bishop to be confirmed; couples celebrated their love for each other as they joined their lives in marriage; the strains of a familiar beloved hymn consoled those who gathered to grieve the loss of a loved one. The music program is the heart and soul of our life of worship here at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church, and we are able to accomplish such a rich and varied program because of the remarkable quality of our organ and the skill of the musicians who make it “sing” to the glory of God.

Special recognition is due each person that constructed this instrument. Marvin Judy supervised the construction and installation of all parts and collaborated on the stop specification and pipe scales. George Gilliam made the case design, working drawings, stop specifications, and pipe scales. Assisting in the construction and installation were Bradford Allen, Mark Bolden, Chis Bullok, Charles Leonard, and David Zuber. Marvin Judy and George Gilliam voiced the pipes.

Additions to the instrument occurred in 1987 by Marvin Judy. He installed a Trompette en Chamade to the third manual and a Contre-Bombarde to the Pédale. Dr. Paul R. Bordlee, a choir member, donated the Flûte Harmonique (Grand Orgue) in memory of his mother and of Paul Alphonse Riedo, previous Organist and Choirmaster. At the time of installation, the builder moved the Voix Humaine to the expressive division rendering the instrument more versatile.

Click here to see the specifications of this wonderful instrument.