Schoenstein & Co., Benicia, California, is building a three-manual, 34-rank organ for St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Coral Gables, Florida. The church, in connection with its day school, offers a music program including an RSCM chorister curriculum and semi-professional parish choir. The choristers and parish choir sing together throughout the year, and as their enrollment has increased, they have outgrown their current position in the rear gallery. Terry Byrd Eason Design was engaged to design a larger chancel area to accommodate choirs, clergy, and the organ; he also designed the new chancel furniture and organ case. St. Philip’s Church has a resonant, clear acoustic that is ideally suited for choral singing; the musicians’ new placement will highlight these properties and better serve the liturgical needs of the parish.
Schoenstein Opus 187 needed to be expressive enough to accompany music in the Anglican tradition while leaving as much floor space as possible for the choirs and clergy. Smaller enclosed divisions were prioritized over number of voices, and some stops of the Great division are located in the rear gallery. This organ will feature double-expression in the Choir division. The inner-Choir houses the loudest (Tromba) and softest (Erzählers) voices.
Christopher Harrell is director of music and liturgy for St. Philip’s. Installation is planned for the first quarter of 2026.
For information: schoenstein.com.
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