Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

Austin Organs, Inc. (Opus 323-B, 2003)

Originally Austin Organ Co. ()

Location:

City Hall
20 Myrtle Street
Portland, ME 04101 US
Merrill Auditorium
Organ ID: 47380

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Auditoriums and Concert Halls
  • The organ is unaltered from its original state.
  • The organ's condition is good, in regular use.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Paul R. Marchesano on September 15, 2022.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Austin Universal Air
  • 96 ranks. 6,554 pipes. 5 manuals.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): Austin Universal Air chests
  • Position: In center chambers at the front of the room. Facade pipes or case front visible.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 5
  • Position: Movable console.
  • Manual Compass: 61
  • Pedal Compass: 32
  • Console Style: Traditional style with roll top.
  • Stop Controls: Drawknobs in vertical rows on angled jambs.
  • Combination Action: Computerized/Digital system.
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals, AGO standard placement.
  • Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard meeting AGO Standards.
  • Has Tutti Reversible Thumb Pistons
  • Has Tutti Reversible Toe Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Toe Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Thumb Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Toe Pistons
  • Has a Piston Sequencer
We received the most recent update for this console from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Database Manager on October 26, 2011:

Updated through online information from James R. Stettner.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on October 20, 2011:

Information from Ray Cornils -- New console (2001) and IV Great Mixture (2003) for Austin Opus 323. Rebuilt and enlarged by Austin in 1927; removed, restored and re-installed with original stoplist and configuration by David Wallace in 1996-7. The 1927 Austin 4-manual stop-tab console (which was replaced in 2001 by a 5-manual draw knob console) was purchased by concert organist Frederick Hohman of South Bend Indiana. This console, I am told by Fred, now resides at Fred's home in South Bend. The organ is now used regularly in a broad range of concerts including Summer Concert Series, Silent Film Series, Christmas With Cornils Series, Bach Birthday Bash, Meet the King of Instruments (school children's concerts), and Music from the World's Great Cathedrals Series. Additionally the organ is used with the Portland Symphony Orchestra concert season, and in numerous graduation exercises held at Merrill Auditorium in Portland City Hall.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Source not recorded: Open In New Tab Typed stoplist (Source: The Tracker, Summer/Fall 2012)
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

Instrument Images:

Organ façade and console: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2011-09-03

Auditorium stage, proscenium, and organ façade.: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2011-09-03

Organ façade and console: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2011-09-03

Stage, organ façade and console: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2011-09-03