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The N.C.R. Schoolhouse adjoins the main office building and contains a
large auditorium with a seating capacity of twenty-two hundred and
sixty-three. It has been appropriately called "the powerhouse for
brains". It is the center for every activity for N.C.R. employees
calling for a large hall, such as motion picturesm stereopticon views,
lectures, concerts and other entertainments. It has recently been
enriched by the addition of a large Estey Pipe Organ, which is being
appropriately dedicated today by an organ recital.
This organ has four manuals with fifty four speaking stops.
The complete specifications are given at the
end of this description.
The console represents a new development in the matter of stop control,
adding greatly to the convenience and range of the organist. The
old form of draw stop has been superseded by a button upon which
appears the name of the stop. A simple touch of the finger
operates the stop, and a similar touch cancels it. At the same
time a small electric light underneath the button is turned off and
on. When the stop is on the button is illuminated and the name is
easily read, thus showing the organist
at a
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glance
what stops are in use.
The stops are also controlled by thirty-one combination pistons,
adjustable in groups, controlled by small pistons on the name board, so
that any conceivable combination may be set instantly by a touch of the
thumb. This ease of operation and convenience of access are
distinguishing features of the new console, and are exclusive features
of the Estey console.
There is also a second console which operates the complete organ
by means of perforated music rolls. Perforated music is arranged
expressly for the Estey Organ, which controls not only all stops, but
also all expression devices so that the composition is rendered with
the same tone color and feeling intended by the composer, and the
rendition is, if anything, more complete than can be produced by a
skilled organist. This is the self-playing reproducing
device which has proved so popular and so successful in the Estey
Residence Pipe Organ.
The organ is blown by means of an electric 20 horse power motor.
The specifications for this organ were drawn by Henry A. Ditzel,
the organist, and the builders gratefully acknowledge his helpful
cooperation.
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