Instruments
Fritts-Richards, Op. 4
St. Alphonsus Parish
The Fritts-Richards, Op. 4 was built in 1984 as one of the first instruments constructed by renowned organ builder Paul Fritts and his then-business partner, Ralph Richards. Modeled after the Baroque era organs of North Germany and the Netherlands, Op. 4 was constructed before Paul or Ralph had traveled to Europe to study the historic organs and is the first instrument for which Paul and Ralph made their own pipes. The two-manual organ features 30 stops with two preparations that were not installed (see specification list) and is tuned in Kellner. The organ case is modeled after the organ at St. Nicolaaskerk in Brouwershaven, Netherlands (1557) with carvings by Peder Dahl.
Balcom & Vaughan Op. 796RB
St. John Parish
The organ at St. John traces its roots to a small, 8-rank Kimball organ originally built for the Mission Theatre in the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle. Moved to St. John in 1930 by Balcom & Vaughan, it was subsequently expanded and now bears only passing resemblance to its original form. This 3 manual organ now provides beautiful accompaniment for hymns and anthems with its breadth of tonal color from warm foundations to bright upper work and a variety of symphonic and chorus reeds.
Parish Pianos
Our parish family has been blessed with three pianos generously donated by parishioners. We extend our profound thanks to Bill Kirsch for the Young-Chang baby grand at St. Alphonsus, Lili Salas for the Kawaii at St. Benedict, and ______ for the Young-Chang at St. John.
