Cathedral receives grant for new organ as it nears ship date

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
August 17, 2006

Parish leaders at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City have been working to get a new organ for the diocesan church for several years. In about two months, their efforts will be realized when the German-built organ will be delivered and the three-week installation process will ensue.

The organ will mark the first time that the Cathedral will have a new organ that was made specifically for the building. Modifications are currently being made to the balcony, which will house the two-manual and pedalboard mechanical-action organ that has 31 stops and 37 ranks. As the balcony is readied for the new instrument, the final fundraising efforts are quietly underway.

"In raising the funds for the Cathedral - it's been an ongoing, quiet campaign for a couple of years - we applied for and received a grant of $50,000 from the M. A. Martin Everist Foundation," noted Father Paul-Louis Arts, pastor of Cathedral. "Margaret Ann Everist had already given us a substantial amount of money for the organ."

He pointed out that with the $50,000 grant and the previous donation, it makes Everist and her foundation a major contributor to the organ project.

"We will dedicate the first year of the organ concerts to Margaret Ann," the rector noted. "She felt very strongly about enriching the arts in Siouxland."

In a letter that Father Arts submitted to the foundation, he pointed out that this new instrument would not only enhance the beauty of the liturgical celebrations at the Cathedral but it would provide an opportunity for the Cathedral to foster musical opportunities in Siouxland.

Father Arts mentioned that the other major contributor was Msgr. Dean Walker. It was that diocesan priest's original gift that initiated this project.

"There are many people who have contributed to this project," said Father Arts. "It is a quiet campaign that is still in the process for seeking funds but we are hopeful it will finish it up quickly."

The cost of the organ is $600,000. It was contracted three years ago. If commissioned today, the organ may have cost close to one million.

There is much anticipation surrounding the arrival of the organ.

"It was actually going to be shipped to us a little earlier, but then we all realized that the organ gets put into a shipping container that will go on a trans-Altantic ship. Our fear was that it sits out there on the dock ... we didn't want the sun beating down on the container and having the container heat up to 150 degrees," noted Geerlings. "That would risk wood splitting a part at the glue seams."

The music director's response was that the Cathedral had waited 103 years for this organ, it could wait another three weeks.

Because this is such a quality instrument with superior craftsmanship, Geerlings mentioned that the life of the organ could be upwards of 300 years without any major work. The organ took about 15,000 man-hours to build.

"To think that 10 generations from now, people will still be hearing this organ - it's amazing," he said.

Given the years in the works, as the final days approach, Geerlings mentioned that it had been almost surreal until they started taking the old organ away.

"In a way, this is a fulfillment of a dream come true for me personally and professionally," he said. "I am very excited for the diocese and not just Cathedral Parish because we will have such a fantastic instrument in an acoustical setting that is ideal for a pipe organ and choral music. I can't find the right words to describe how happy I am that this is all coming together and that we have a specific date when the organ will be delivered."

The organ is slated to arrive in Sioux City on Oct. 16.

Once the organ is installed, it will take several months for the instrument to be voiced (tuned).

Father Arts said they anticipated a dedication service to be held in the spring.