Converse College, Petrie School of Music - Spartanburg, South Carolina

Holtkamp Organ

In the fall of 2006, we were contacted by Dr. Leon Couch of the Petrie School of Music to inspect the pipe organs at Converse College. We were proud to have been contracted in early 2007 to begin restorative repairs on the organs on the campus. We began with work on the mechanical action Holtkamp organ in Room 107. This organ shows the greatest evidence of wear and use of any of the instruments on campus, most notably with one ivory being missing from a key as well as excessive wear and play in the keys themselves.

Additionally, there are pipes which have collapsed under their own weight due to inadequate support and require repairs to speak properly. Not only do these pipes not play, but their leaning has also damaged other pipes, which are currently removed.

As a course of normal maintenance, the Pedal 8' Flute stoppers has become loose and will be repacked for proper tone production and tuning stability.

The other pressing mechanical issue with this organ regards the Pedal 16' Quintadena. The pipes from c0 (second C) up sit on a windchest with the Pedal 8' Flute. The rack that holds these pipes in place was not properly supported when built and is now allowing these pipes to lean in such a manner to pull some from out of their toe-hole which makes them not play. This will be repaired both to allow these pipes to speak, as well as preventing them from leaning any further and possibly damaging themselves or others.

Collapsed 4' Principal pipe foot

Removed 8' Copula

Holtkamp Organ
II – 6

Manual I

8' Gedeckt
4' Principal

Manual II

8' Copula
2' Principal

Pedal

16' Quintadena
8' Flute

Couplers on Toe Paddles

II – I
I – Pedal
II – Pedal