Concert To Celebrate Meeting House Organ Restoration

A grand concert will be presented by the Board of Trustees of the Heritage Preservation Trust at the Newtown Meeting House on Sunday, September 23, at 2:30 pm. The concert is planned as a celebration of the completed restoration of the pipe organ, originally installed in 1914, and as a thank-you to the many community members and music lovers who have supported and continue to support the restoration effort.

“This concert has been eagerly awaited by music lovers and historians,” said Donald T. Studley, president of the Heritage Preservation Trust. “It will be an eclectic program which promises something for everyone – from Bach to Berlin – featuring well known guest organists and other selected musicians.”

The trust has put considerable time, effort, and heart into the restoration of the Hall pipe organ, which was installed when the building housed the Newtown Congregational Church. For the first time in 85 years, the organ was rendered mute as a result of Hurricane Floyd in September 1999.

The October 16, 1914, issue of The Bee reported, “The new pipe organ for the Congregational Church is being installed this week by the makers, the Hall Organ Company of New Haven. The old organ will be taken away by the company. A water motor has been attached to pump air for the instrument, which is placed in the organ loft fronting the pulpit.

“The cost of the instrument is $2,800, and is undoubtedly not surpassed by that of any other country church. Over half the cost has been raised by the church committees and the congregation feel sure that the balance will be readily forthcoming.”

Foley-Baker, Inc, of Tolland was engaged by the Preservation Trustees to undertake the mammoth restoration effort. This included removing the entire instrument from the Meeting House, rebuilding it in their shop, and reinstalling it in late May. The guest organists who will be featured in the concert also contributed valuable technical information, suggestions, and assistance during the course of the two-year, $75,000 restoration project.

“The pipe organ is often called the ‘king instrument’ because of its versatility,” Mr Studley said, “and our ‘king’ is back from exile.”

Other members of the Board of Trustees of the Heritage Preservation Trust Inc include Vice President James Osborne, Jr, secretary Harvey Sellner, treasurer Brian White, Deborah Osborne, W. Nelson Roberts, John Madzulla, David Brown, R. Scudder Smith, Daniel Cruson, Caroline Stokes, Robert Stokes, Mae S. Schmidle, Maud Knapp, William Honan, Robert Hall, and Nancy Taylor.

Guest organists for the September 23 concert are Barbara Bayers, Maria Coffin, Leonard Manz, Sr, and John Michniewicz. Also performing are John Fagerholm, Celtic piper, who will welcome arriving guests outside with music on the Great Highland pipes. The Newtown Choral Society, directed by Mary Andreotta and accompanied by May Steinberg, will perform selected vocal musical selections.

The concert will take place on Sunday, September 23, at 2:30 pm at the Newtown Meeting House on 31 Main Street, in Newtown. It is free of charge and the public is invited. Parking will be available a half of block north of the Meeting House at the Newtown Savings Bank. Travel directions may be accessed at www.newtownmeetinghouse.com or call 270-8293 for more information.