A pipe organ is a keyboard instrument that creates sound by moving air through pipes, like a clarinet, trumpet, or other wind instrument.  When the organist plays the keys, air is blown through a specific set of pipes to create the sound.  The different shapes and sizes of the pipes create various sounds ranging from quiet meditation to a joyful exuberance.  These different pipes also produce various timbres similar to those of a flute, string, trumpet, and even the human voice.

The current organ in use is an electronic instrument; it produces digital sounds which are then amplified by speakers.  A pipe organ is different because it produces sound in a similar way to the human voice; just as we push our breath through our windpipes to sing, the organ pushes air through its pipes to produce sound. This mimicking of the human voice enables the pipe organ to provide a more suitable accompaniment to human singing.

The Church specifically calls for the use of the pipe organ:
“In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church's ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man's mind to God and to higher things” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, §120).

The pipe organ has an extensive liturgical history
Primitive versions  of the pipe organ were used in churches as early as the 10th century, and the instrument and its liturgical role have developed through the ages.  In its current form, it is used to accompany singing, both of the congregation and the choir, as well as to provide solo music. 

The pipe organ has unique capability as a musical instrument
The pipe organ is unique among other instruments because it is capable of producing music using a range of sounds, much like an orchestra.  In this way the pipe organ “takes up all the sounds of creation” and “gives resonance to the fullness of human sentiments” (Blessing of the New Organ in Regensburg, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, 2006).  The pipe organ is also a reminder of Christian unity and symbolic of the assembly of the faithful; just as the pipes work together to create a harmonious sound, we also must work together “to find anew, through our communion in faith, harmony in the praise of God and in fraternal love” (Blessing).

The new installation is only the first phase of our pipe organ, which will serve our phase 1 church.  As the church expands, we will expand the pipe organ along with it.  A beautiful carved wood facade is also planned for our completed pipe organ.

In the first phase, our pipe organ includes 2313 pipes!  Click here to see the complete "stop list" of the different kinds of pipes and their specifications.