New Organ Project
at Washington National Cathedral

The Great Organ of Washington National Cathedral was built by the Ernest M. Skinner & Son Organ Company and installed in 1938, at which time construction of the Cathedral was approximately one-third complete. As construction continued and the building grew in size, the instrument was expanded a number of times so its musical resources could better serve the growing building. The present instrument consists of 189 ranks and more than 10,650 pipes.

Major construction of the Cathedral—the world’s sixth largest—was completed in 1990. While the organ expansions of the 1950s, sixties, and seventies helped the instrument cope with the ever-growing building, it has become clear in recent years that a single instrument located entirely in the east end of the building is not sufficient to provide the best possible musical support of the Cathedral’s multi-faceted worship.

To that end, the Cathedral is in the midst of a project that will culminate in the installation of two new organs—one in the east end and another in the west gallery. Supporting the liturgical life of the Cathedral is the primary purpose of these instruments. A particular priority is the support of congregational singing, something the current instrument cannot adequately provide in the nave.

Two renowned organ builders have been selected to collaborate on one comprehensive solution to aid the Cathedral’s music and liturgy. Dobson Pipe Organ Builders of Lake City, Iowa has been selected to build an instrument in the east end of the Cathedral. This instrument will support congregational singing and choral accompaniment throughout the Great Choir, crossing, transepts and first few bays of the nave. New encased divisions in both transepts will provide commanding tone for the transepts, crossing, and front of the nave. The legacy of the original 1938 Skinner organ will be preserved by retaining many of its beautiful voices in the new organ.

Casavant Frères of St-Hyacinthe, Québec will build a French-style instrument in the west gallery of the Cathedral, a position that will provide direct organ tone directly down the center access of the building. The west gallery position also allows for a beautiful organ case that will frame the west rose window. This instrument will have a four-manual, mechanical-action console.

A unique feature of this project is that the two organs will be linked so they can be played together from the east end console. The ability to play both organs from a single console will enable the instruments to envelop the congregation in sound evenly, providing excellent support for congregational singing.

If you are interested in supporting this exciting project, please contact Marty Stiffler at (202) 537-5796 or mstiffler@cathedral.org.