Fans of the Curtis Sesquicentennial Organ

Fans of the Curtis Sesquicentennial Organ The fabulous 1926 Austin IV/162 (10,731 pipes) residing in Irvine Auditorium of the University of Pe Some fun facts and numbers:
1. Spencer blower and a 5 h.p.

A registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to promote awareness of and educate the public about the Curtis Sesquicentennial Organ, located in Irvine Auditorium at the University of Pennsylvania, through concerts, symposia, recordings and to maintain a digital presence for the Curtis Organ. The fabulous 1926 Austin IV/162 (10,731 pipes) residing in Irvine Auditorium of the University of Pennsylv

ania is the magnum opus (under a single contract) of the Austin firm. Built for Sesquicentennial Exposition in Philadelphia (in 6 months!), it is a masterpiece of Symphonic organ building. While comparatives and lists change and claims are hard to substantiate, the organ still ranks as one of the largest pipe organs in the world, currently estimated to be #22 by pipe count. It was moved to Irvine Auditorium during the building construction, occupied two second-balconies originally designated for seating and delayed the opening of the hall by 2 years. It also happens to be the second largest instrument in Philadelphia area (after the Wanamaker Organ)! The main divisions are on 7.5” wind, with Solo, Trombone Chorus and some Pedal on 10” and the Tuba Magna on 25” wind, powered by a 40 h.p. Spencer step-up blower for the Tuba Magna.

2. 38 ranks of reeds, including four unique French Horns, a floating 5-rank Trombone Chorus, two unified ranks of Pedal reeds and the Tuba Magna on 25" wind.

3. There are 12 Diapason ranks at 8’ pitch on the manual divisions.

4. The organ boasts 45 ranks of Strings, including 15 in the Swell division and the floating 26-rank String Division, 32’ & 16’ Violone (metal) unit in the Pedal, and an extension to 16’ C of the Viole Celeste III from the String Division. Strings are tuned unison, sharp and flat throughout.

5. There are 25 Flute stops in the manual divisions.

RIP Joan Lippincott. In September 2002 Ms. Lippincott played a mid-day memorial concert for the anniversary of 9/11 on t...
05/31/2025

RIP Joan Lippincott. In September 2002 Ms. Lippincott played a mid-day memorial concert for the anniversary of 9/11 on the Curtis Organ. A program not of her typical earlier repertoire, she played a fantastic program of 19th and 20th century, mostly French repertoire and used the whole organ's resources incredibly effectively. She performed with poise, dignity and humility. I believe it was the only time she played at Irvine. Sadly we don't have a recording.

Joan Hult Lippincott (12/25/35-5/31/25) has died.

At Westminster Choir College, she studied with the renowned Alexander McCurdy. Upon graduation, she gained entrance to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she was again the student of Alexander McCurdy as well as Vladimir Sokoloff. Following her Diploma from the Curtis Institute, she returned to WCC to earn her master's degree. At the same time, she was hired by McCurdy to join the keyboard faculty at Westminster, starting what would become her 37-year tenure.

GuideStar (now CANDID) has given us a GOLD RATING
03/23/2023

GuideStar (now CANDID) has given us a GOLD RATING

Just to let everyone know, we are now SILVER rated on Guidestar!
07/13/2021

Just to let everyone know, we are now SILVER rated on Guidestar!

06/25/2020

We are so thrilled to announce that the Fans of the Curtis Organ has received a COVID Arts Philadelphia grant of $1,000. This is seed money for the historical recording project to move forward. It's been a difficult year with frankly not much able to happen. I will soon have the new website up and will be able to accept additional donations as well. Facebook and GoFund Me are hard to navigate from the nonprofit's point of view and difficult or impossible to get original donor information. Hopefully we can triple this seed money by the end of the summer and can have the recordings released in all digital formats by the fall.

04/13/2020

Due to the COVID-19 quarantine plans for historic highlights recording release have been suspended. We are unable to gain access to important original source material.

Come one, come all!!
10/11/2018

Come one, come all!!

Phantom AND Nosferatu return to Irvine Auditorium October 29! Join Peter Krasinski and have a blast!
10/11/2017

Phantom AND Nosferatu return to Irvine Auditorium October 29! Join Peter Krasinski and have a blast!

12/01/2016

We have some plans in the works for next year (next season). A very special concert and recording. Please keep a watch out for the announcement soon! In the meantime, please consider amking a smal (or large) gift to the fans of the Curtis Organ. The Gates Foundation will double all gifts up to a total of $1000!

We've just acquired this terrific photo of Irvine Auditorium, taken September, 1963, shot on Kodachrome film. The weathe...
10/02/2015

We've just acquired this terrific photo of Irvine Auditorium, taken September, 1963, shot on Kodachrome film. The weathervane appears to be missing. Note the cars passing by, the white socks on the gentleman coming down the steps, and the mingle of people on the corner. The intersection was without traffic signal at the time. The edge of the Hospital building is peeking in at the left.

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PO Box 504
Ardmore, PA
19002

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