We encourage visitors to our organs to send a note in giving their responses to hearing them.  Here is one letter that came in from an early visitor to Opus XXIII.

My travel to Fort Wayne Indiana on Sunday Jan. 19th, 2003, to hear Felix play at Trinity English Lutheran Church was rewarded with a bonus.  Following the concert I followed Richard Schneider down to Berne Indiana where his recently completed Opus XXIII graces First Mennonite Church.  Some of you may remember that I got the chance to assist with some installation work on this organ about a year ago, so it was a genuine treat to see and hear it in its finished form.

We were very lucky that Dr. Scott Lehman, the Music Director and Organist at First Mennonite, availed himself to us to demonstrate the instrument and play a few things.  So, after I had a chance to crawl around in the chambers and take enough pictures to satisfy myself, Rich directed me to a choir pew in the middle of the chancel, and we we got to hear and feel the power and beauty of this magnificent instrument.  I am totally impressed.

As Dr. Lehman played some Mendelssohn, the Widor Toccata, and some hymns, I marveled at the talent he brings to performing on this instrument, and at the same time I realized that Richard's talent in building and voicing this organ shines with equal brilliance.  I admit to being woefully incapable of any technical ability to describe what I heard, but I have heard enough organs to know what I like.  This instrument is very satisfying.  It has plenty of foundation, indeed enough to transmit it to the seat of your pants.  The upper registers are bright and clear without being painful to the ears in the least.  The central principal portions of tone can be pleasantly full or diminished to whatever level the music requires.  The flutes are gorgeous, some with pronounced chiff, which seems to be a personal signature of Rich's voicing, as evidenced by recordings of some of his other instruments.  To my ear, this organ is a very complete package, with enough flexibility to serve worship, yet plenty strong and complete enough to perform many types of concert repertoire.  First Mennonite is very lucky to have a Schneider organ, and fortunate to have Dr. Scott Lehman as their organist.

I know Rich has announced it before, but I would like to remind everyone that there will be a re-dedicatory recital at First Mennonite on April 27.  I would urge everyone who can to make the trip to hear this very special organ.  You won't be sorry.

By the way, although Rich has given me credit as an installer on the web page for this organ, I do not actually work for him.  I am promoting this instrument because I think it is an excellent example of what is coming from small modern organ builders.  I think Rich Schneider has every reason to be proud.

Respectfully Submitted
Mike Gettelman

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

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