UW-River Falls Foundation raising funds to restore 1974 pipe organ in Abbott Concert Hall

Free concert April 5

March 28, 2022 -- University of Wisconsin-River Falls senior Evan Pechacek knows with a little tender loving care the 1974 Hendrickson pipe organ in the Abbott Concert Hall in Kleinpell Fine Arts could serve future music students for years to come.

The music education major from Hudson has taken lessons on the organ for three years while at UW-River Falls.

“The organ has a lot of options,” Pechacek said. “It’s not the biggest one in the world, but it definitely has some ability.”

The organ needs repair work, a good cleaning and the electronic circuitry updated.

The cost to restore the organ is estimated at $150,000. Replacing it would cost nearly $600,000.

A UWRF Organ Restoration Showcase is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, in Abbott Concert Hall to kick off a UWRF Foundation fundraiser to restore the organ. Pechacek will perform as part of the showcase as will Laura Edman, UWRF applied faculty organ instructor; Thomas Barnett, UWRF music professor and trumpet player; and trumpet player Tyler Barnett. Guest organist Bill Chouinard appears on the program as well. The showcase is open to the public.

“Students need an instrument that is inspiring,” Edman said. “The organ should be reliable and function using modern technology that replaced outdated electrical connections years ago.”

The organ has 22 ranks, 17 stops and 1,258 pipes. It is a complex instrument with many moving parts. The wear and tear of continual use and minimal maintenance such as annual tunings have taken a toll on the instrument over the years.

Electrical systems in the organ console are outdated and unreliable. Electronic technology has advanced to a high degree, and midi capabilities would make the organ adaptable for individual students and multiple collaborations. The pipes are full of dust that affects tone color and causes ciphers, a stuck note or continuous sounding of a pipe after a key is released.

The mini concert will share music, and historical context of the organ, as well as, show some items that need restoration to update the instrument.

Recently, Pechacek pushed the organ from its storage area out onto the Abbott Concert Hall  stage, donned his special shoes that protect the organ pedals and practiced for his senior recital which was Saturday.

“An organ is an instrument like a piano that can be used in a variety of ways,” Pechacek said. “You can accompany a person singing, with other instruments or as a solo instrument. There is so much you can do with an organ with its many tone colors. I feel fortunate to have been able to learn the organ as part of the music program at River Falls. I want to see that continue.”

The organ was built by Charles Hendrickson of St. Peter, Minn.

David Milne, Music Department chair, noted no two organs are the same because they are hand built.

Abbott Concert Hall was renovated in 2019. At that time, however, funding was not available to restore the organ, Milne said.

“The concert hall is state of the art and a beautiful facility,” Milne said. “Traveling artists regularly come and play piano here. We want our organ to be to that level as well, so artists want to come and perform on it. We also want to provide the best instrument we can for our students to learn to play the organ. The acoustics in the newly renovated hall enhance the sound of the instrument and would add to the beauty of an updated instrument.”

To donate to the organ restoration, go to the foundation giving page at https://www.uwrf.edu/Give/Organ-Restoration-Fund.cfm.