Digital Instrument Replaces Classic Pipe Organ at Swissvale Church

A digital church organ will share the spotlight on Sunday, when the Swissvale Presbyterian Church hosts a classical music recital with a visiting organist. 

Andy Munster, organist at the Swissvale church, said the church's new electronic organ is "an amazing technology."

Built by electronic organ builder Allen Organ Co., the digital instrument has replaced a small American Classic pipe organ at the church.
 
Munster said it would have cost well over $100,000 to repair the old pipe organ from 1912.  But the digital instrument cost less than $50,000 and produces a broad range of sounds.  

Allen Organ traveled the world taking digital recordings of classic instruments, that together works to produce a distinctive sound. 

"They recorded each individual pipe," Munster said.  "When I press the key in Swissvale you hear the sound of a pipe in a cathedral from France or a mammoth church in the USA."

Munster can play notes that were recorded of a famous Pan Flute player or the sound of the surf. 

"I have at my fingertips a complete German Baroque organ, a French romantic organ, an English Classic organ and an American Classic organ. This instrument replaces a small American Classic pipe organ."

The public is invited to attend the classical recital, which begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday Sept. 29 at the Swissvale Presbyterian Church on the corner of Monongahela and Church Street. Watch the video for an organ demonstration.