The Northrop pipe organ, an Aeolian-Skinner Opus 892 built between 1932 and 1936, stands as a prestigious symbol of American organ craftsmanship and remains one of the last concert-hall pipe organs in the United States. Housed within the University of Minnesota’s Northrop Auditorium, this grand instrument features nearly 7,000 pipes, with some reaching up to 32 feet in height, and boasts a console with four keyboards and about 225 stops, pedals, and buttons. Recognized for its exceptional historical merit by the Organ Historical Society in 1999, the organ is celebrated for its intact and unaltered condition, reflecting the pinnacle of late-Romantic era organ design.

The organ has not only enriched concerts and performances with its remarkable sound but has also played a pivotal role in music education at the university. However, the journey of the Northrop organ hasn’t been without challenges. By the early 1970s, it had nearly ceased functioning, prompting restoration efforts led by then-student Gordon Schultz. This restoration, coupled with a substantial bequest from Dr. Roger E. Anderson, facilitated significant renovations during the Northrop building’s overhaul in 2011, allowing the organ to be meticulously reinstalled above the stage by Foley-Baker and Associates. Officially reintroduced in 2018 with a grand inaugural concert, the organ now continues to be a focal point for educational and musical excellence, supported by the Friends of the Northrop Organ in ongoing efforts to promote and utilize this historic instrument.

Additionals: Usual couplers, Midi system, Setter system, Tremolo Choir, Tremolo Solo, Tremolo Swell

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