St. John’s Lutheran Church, 511 – 523 Race Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Photo — 1924)
J.H. & C.S. Odell (1877)
National Registry for Historic Organs
As approved by the Board of Directors of the Organ Historical Society, we proudly announce the OHS Historic Pipe Organ Registry. This new Registry has been created by the OHS to revive an established and revered program to collect thorough documentation of exceptional pipe organs, with the possibility of each submission received being granted a level of significant public recognition according to formal deliberations by the Historic Pipe Organ Registry Review Panel. The OHS’s mission is to celebrate the pipe organ through education, research, advocacy, and music and thus to enrich public knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of its place in history and culture. This new Registry supports that mission by commemorating historic pipe organs of various ages, styles, and origins, providing recognition across a wide range of classifications.
Since the inception of the previous Historic Pipe Organ Award program and throughout its various iterations, public perception has been that each citation is a recognition given to an instrument by the OHS. While the respective owners bore the responsibility for ensuring that the citations’ criteria remained unchanged, any enforcement of those values sat with the OHS, which was an impractical, unwise, and ineffective system.
It is incumbent upon the OHS now to change the direction of the recognition act so that a historic citation is something requested by the curators of an instrument, evaluated by the OHS, and, if approved, entered into this Registry at a level appropriate to the condition of the particular pipe organ. Thereafter, the responsibility to ensure lasting accuracy of its Registry level will rest with the owners or curators of each instrument by way of a signed letter of agreement.
From its creation, each pipe organ has inherent characteristics that should be documented, celebrated, and preserved in any subsequent interventions. The Historic Pipe Organ Registry is designed to provide public recognition for instruments of historic merit. It is important that the OHS community and those applying for this recognition understand the fundamental purposes of this new Registry:
- To recognize notable historic pipe organs by a formal citation
- To document and publicize the historical significance of worthy instruments
- To demonstrate that the OHS Registry’s classifications remain valid to the extent that documented conditions of cited instruments remain intact, but that adjudicated entries will be changed if unsympathetic alterations are made to recognized pipe organs
The OHS’s mission is to celebrate the pipe organ through education, research, advocacy, and music and thus to enrich public knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of its place in history and culture. The OHS Historic Pipe Organ Registry supports that mission by commemorating historic pipe organs of various ages, styles, and origins, providing recognition across a wide range of classifications.
From its creation, each pipe organ has inherent characteristics that should be documented, celebrated, and preserved in any subsequent interventions. The Historic Pipe Organ Registry is designed to provide public recognition for instruments of historic merit. It is important that the OHS community and those applying for this recognition understand the fundamental purposes of this new Registry:
- To recognize notable historic pipe organs by a formal citation
- To document and publicize the historical significance of worthy instruments
- To demonstrate that the OHS Registry’s classifications remain valid to the extent that documented conditions of cited instruments remain intact, but that adjudicated entries will be changed if unsympathetic alterations are made to recognized pipe organs
A historic citation is requested by the curators of an instrument, evaluated by OHS, and entered into this Registry at a level appropriate to the condition of the particular pipe organ. Thereafter, the responsibility to ensure lasting accuracy of an instrument’s Registry level will rest with the owners or curators of that instrument by way of a signed letter of agreement.
CLASSIFICATIONS in the OHS Historic Pipe Organ Registry
Every instrument awarded a citation under previous OHS programs will be included in the Historic Pipe Organ Registry without need for reapplication or review. As time and personnel permit, or as issues may arise, the new Registry Review Panel may undertake examination of pipe organs cited previously to confirm that they remain extant and inviolate, and the OHS will have the power to demand return of the original citation plaque if such historic conditions do not prevail, as prior rules always have allowed.
The official record of prior OHS historic citations shall be maintained as it currently exists and shall then be expanded by the addition of ongoing determinations into the Historic Pipe Organ Registry.
All instruments that are entered into the Historic Pipe Organ Registry shall be flagged accordingly in the OHS Pipe Organ Database. Ideally, applications to the Historic Registry will synergistically feed information to the Pipe Organ Database, but the presence of a pipe organ in the Database does not imply an elevated citation in the Registry.
Designating a pipe organ as historic is a process of comprehensive subjective judgment. The OHS has stipulated that an age of fifty years shall be the first, basic qualification for entry into the Pipe Organ Registry, barring truly compelling circumstances. For requirements of content and process for applications to the OHS Historic Pipe Organ Registry, pursuant to the Review Panel’s rubrics for evaluation, see “The Historic Organ Registry Application” page; only basic guidelines follow here.
Any official designation of significance and entry into the Historic Pipe Organ Registry is determined by the members of the Review Panel but is conferred by the Board of Directors of the Organ Historical Society.
All determinations made by the Registry Review Panel shall be deemed to be final, although applicants may request a brief written explanation of the results from the Secretary of the Panel.
The classifications of formal recognition in the Historic Pipe Organ Registry are set forth as follows:
EXCEPTIONAL — Worthy instruments will be awarded a plaque and will be presented in an article prepared by the applicant and published in The Tracker. To achieve this level, a pipe organ must exhibit at least two of these characteristics: be in its original home; remain utterly original; remain unrestored; remain unaltered; be the rarest of all extant organs of its genre; present some culturally monumental status.
DISTINCTIVE — Worthy instruments will receive a framed certificate. To achieve this level, a pipe organ must exhibit significantly at least one of the following characteristics: maintain a level of originality and uniqueness; present some particular rarity; have some association with a historical event, place, or person(s).
HONORABLE — Worthy instruments will receive a formal letter of recognition. To achieve this level, a pipe organ must exhibit some fame or celebrity culturally, and/or present any of the foregoing criteria beyond basic age.
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION by the Review Panel
The following criteria for evaluation of applicant pipe organs exemplify the range of conditions and kinds of significance that will qualify instruments for listing in this Historic Registry. These criteria will apply to a variety of existing instruments across generations of pipe organ design and construction, based on intrinsic significance, historical integrity, respectful treatment, and thoroughness of current documentation. The broad historic context serves as a framework within which the criteria can be applied and current judgments made. Thus, criteria listed here are intended to exemplify applicant information required and subjects of review and evaluation, but this is not an exclusive presentation. Every applicant situation and instrument will be unique, and those composing on-site documentation are encouraged to be thorough and explicit in their details, sharing ample knowledge of their local situation and relevant history.
The Review Panel will examine applications for prevailing significance and originality of the following variables in any pipe organ: builder(s); stoplist(s); age; location(s); restoration or alteration; condition; and association. The term “association,” broad and perhaps not easily quantified, is meant to describe the relationship of any given pipe organ to factors of history, architecture, engineering, and culture, among others; for example:
- how a pipe organ may be associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history (e.g., organbuilding as related to transportation systems);
- how a pipe organ may be associated with the lives of persons significant in our past (from colonial judges to robber barons and beyond);
- how a pipe organ may present rare existence or distinctive characteristics of a builder, type, period, or method of construction; represent the work of a master; or possess high artistic values; or,
- how a pipe organ may represent a significant or distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction but represent some notable evolution in the construction of such instruments.
The OHS Pipe Organ Database is an ever-growing inventory of instrument documentation (written and photographic, as much as possible with stoplists and images), historic or not, extant or not, with the objective of becoming as complete and correct a census as is practical by volunteer support.
The OHS Library and Archives is in constant operation at the OHS headquarters at Stoneleigh in Villanova, Pennsylvania, as the largest repository in the world for pipe organ literature, books, ephemera, manuscripts, special collections, mechanical drawings, and images. Visitors are welcome any time by appointment; many library resources are available electronically or by direct inquiry.
These OHS programs already have a symbiotic relationship that supports the new Historic Pipe Organ Registry and that the Registry will help enhance in return. Applicants to the OHS Historic Pipe Organ Registry should include research in other OHS resources in their preparations. Therefore, all persons are encouraged to become supporters of the OHS and to participate in the foregoing programs as part of building, maintaining, and preserving the broad fabric of our collective cultural history.
The Historic Pipe Organ Registry Review Panel reviews applications for entrance into the Registry. The Review Panel consists of experts in the organ world whose career experiences demonstrate a high level of knowledge and expertise relevant to vetting worthiness and determining appropriate classification of applicants.
The Panel is composed of a Chair, appointed for a four-year, non-renewable term by an approved motion of the OHS Board of Directors, and four Panelists, each appointed for a three-year, non-renewable term by an approved motion of the OHS Board of Directors. At least two Panelists must be longtime members of OHS and recognized in their field of expertise; at least two Panelists must be from the organbuilding sector; one must also be an organist; and one must be recognized as a historian. Non-OHS members, not to exceed two, may be appointed to the Panel. The Board of Directors is to consider gender representation on the Panel whenever possible. Review Panel members may be appointed to a second term after a break of three years. The OHS Board of Directors appoints a Secretary to the Review Panel to act as liaison between applicants and Panel members.
The current Panelists are:
Jonathan Ortloff, Chair
Jack Bethards
Nami Hamada
Joseph McCabe
Sol Rizzato
Jonathan Ortloff
Chair
BIO
Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was inspired by her family’s extensive involvement in church music, especially by her organist grandfather and pianist grandmother. At St. Luke’s, Ms. Collins is involved in playing for services, assisting with instruction of younger choristers, and cultivating her skills in choral and organ music. In particular, she is passionate about musical education and sharing the music of composers from underrepresented groups. Outside of music, she has performed cancer research in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the Feinberg School of Medicine, and is focusing on biomaterials and regenerative medicine through her biomedical degree. Ms. Collins enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, traveling, sci fi and fantasy, and music of all kinds. She is honored to be an OHS Biggs Scholar in the class of 2023!
Jack Bethards
Panelist
BIO
Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was inspired by her family’s extensive involvement in church music, especially by her organist grandfather and pianist grandmother. At St. Luke’s, Ms. Collins is involved in playing for services, assisting with instruction of younger choristers, and cultivating her skills in choral and organ music. In particular, she is passionate about musical education and sharing the music of composers from underrepresented groups. Outside of music, she has performed cancer research in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the Feinberg School of Medicine, and is focusing on biomaterials and regenerative medicine through her biomedical degree. Ms. Collins enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, traveling, sci fi and fantasy, and music of all kinds. She is honored to be an OHS Biggs Scholar in the class of 2023!
Nami Hamada
Panelist
BIO
Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was inspired by her family’s extensive involvement in church music, especially by her organist grandfather and pianist grandmother. At St. Luke’s, Ms. Collins is involved in playing for services, assisting with instruction of younger choristers, and cultivating her skills in choral and organ music. In particular, she is passionate about musical education and sharing the music of composers from underrepresented groups. Outside of music, she has performed cancer research in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the Feinberg School of Medicine, and is focusing on biomaterials and regenerative medicine through her biomedical degree. Ms. Collins enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, traveling, sci fi and fantasy, and music of all kinds. She is honored to be an OHS Biggs Scholar in the class of 2023!
Joseph McCabe
Panelist
BIO
Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was inspired by her family’s extensive involvement in church music, especially by her organist grandfather and pianist grandmother. At St. Luke’s, Ms. Collins is involved in playing for services, assisting with instruction of younger choristers, and cultivating her skills in choral and organ music. In particular, she is passionate about musical education and sharing the music of composers from underrepresented groups. Outside of music, she has performed cancer research in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the Feinberg School of Medicine, and is focusing on biomaterials and regenerative medicine through her biomedical degree. Ms. Collins enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, traveling, sci fi and fantasy, and music of all kinds. She is honored to be an OHS Biggs Scholar in the class of 2023!
Sol Rizzato
Panelist
BIO
Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she was inspired by her family’s extensive involvement in church music, especially by her organist grandfather and pianist grandmother. At St. Luke’s, Ms. Collins is involved in playing for services, assisting with instruction of younger choristers, and cultivating her skills in choral and organ music. In particular, she is passionate about musical education and sharing the music of composers from underrepresented groups. Outside of music, she has performed cancer research in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics at the Feinberg School of Medicine, and is focusing on biomaterials and regenerative medicine through her biomedical degree. Ms. Collins enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, traveling, sci fi and fantasy, and music of all kinds. She is honored to be an OHS Biggs Scholar in the class of 2023!