On February 11, 2011, the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota gave final approval for the revitalization of Cyrus Northrop Memorial Auditorium. Removal of Northrop’s historic IV/108 Aeolian-Skinner organ by Foley-Baker, Inc., of Tolland, Connecticut began on February 22, in preparation for the organ’s restoration.
Since opening in 1929, Northrop Auditorium has served as the university’s primary gathering place for the performing arts, concerts, academic ceremonies, and major civic events. The revitalization plan includes replacing the existing hall with a new cultural and performing arts center including a multi-purpose 2,800-seat hall featuring state-of-the-art acoustics, improved sightlines, cutting-edge technologies, and updated amenities.
The Northrop organ, the third largest auditorium Skinner extant in the U.S., is Aeolian-Skinner’s Opus 892, built between 1932 and 1936. Containing 82 independent stops and 108 ranks of pipes along with two percussion instruments, the organ includes four 32′ stops. Four of the organ’s divisions are under expression, including half of the Great. Epitomizing the late Romantic-symphonic style in organ building, the Northrop organ was awarded the citation for “exceptional historic merit” by the Organ Historical Society in 1999.
Plans for the new Northrop include the reinstallation of the organ in the ceiling in chambers above the new hall’s proscenium. A new layout for the organ has been developed through consultation with both Foley-Baker, Inc. and Schoenstein & Co. of Benicia, California. The university anticipates reopening Northrop Auditorium in 2013.
In 2010, four “final” recitals were given on the Northrop organ: Jürgen Essl (Stuttgart), September 16; University of Minnesota organ alumni, October 12; U of MN students, November 23; and University Organist Dean Billmeyer on December 21.
A capital campaign is underway at the university to raise funds for restoring this historic instrument, and a portion of the required money has already been secured.
For more information, visit www.northroporgan.org, ww.cla.umn.edu/giving/organGiving.html, and northrop.umn.edu/about/northrop-revitalization.
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