The Organ
The pipe organs at The Church of St. Vincent Ferrer were constructed, installed, and voiced by the Schantz Organ Company of Orrville, Ohio. In all, the two organs consist of 86 ranks of pipes. The gallery organ was installed in 2002 and has 68 ranks of pipes over five divisions: great, positiv, swell, solo, and pedal. Upon completion the gallery organ was hailed by the New York Times as another jewel in the crown of New York organs.
The chancel (sanctuary) organ was installed in 1998. It consists of 18 ranks over three divisions: great, swell, and pedal. It is used primarily to accompany the choir. Both the gallery and chancel organs are operated by a single four-manual and pedal console located in the sanctuary of the church.
A few items of note are the gallery pedal 32' ophicleide which contains full-length
wooden resonators adding a magnificent underpinning to the organ. The solo
division contains a widely diversified pallet, including a beautiful harmonic
flute, an elegant english horn, a large scale cello and celeste, and a 49 note
harp. The chancel organ has a two-sided swell box enabling the organist
to control the volume of sound from the swell division in both the sanctuary/nave
and in the adjoining friar's chapel as well.
The outstanding ensembles, the wide tonal array of colors, and the unique antiphonal effects of the two organs combine to make the organ at St. Vincent Ferrer Church one of the finest in New York City.
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