Clemens Center Marr & Colton/Wurlitzer
Original console about 1964
The organ at the Clemens Center has undergone several trials by water and subsequent renovations. This has resulted in an instrument quite different from its debut in 1925. The organ originally built by Marr & Colton was three-manuals with 20 ranks. Unification was limited with seven of the 20 ranks being on three “straight” ventil chests. Following the silent era it saw limited use until flood waters submerged the console and blower in 1946. In the 1950s Vandalism and an air conditioning installation that decimated the echo chamber took its toll. Then, in 1960, Lauren Peckham (David’s father) and others began the daunting task of restoring the organ. A replacement M&C console was obtained and the organ was somewhat playable by 1963. It was used occasionally until 1972 when another flood destroyed the second console. Eventually funds for the organ were obtained and members of the 1960s team began rebuilding again.
A four-manual Wurlitzer console was obtained, an English Post Horn was added and the organ was again playable by late 1977. The stop unification was expanded in 1978 and an electronic memory combination system was installed. Next came another round of water damage to the relay and chests in the main chamber in 1982. Insurance provided funds for a number of improvements that included the replacement of damaged chests, installation of a Z-Tronics relay and numerous additions to the pipe rank complement including a 12- note Wurlitzer wood Diaphone from Rochester’s 1914 Regent Theatre that was donated by the Rochester Theater Organ Society.
In 2007, the theatre closed for Phase II restoration and expansion of the stagehouse. This time funds were also included for the pipe organ. While there were several protracted efforts over the years, there had never been a complete overhaul of the entire instrument. The removal of the “old” Clemens organ took place in March 2007. In this incarnation, all Marr & Colton manual chests and most regulators in the Solo chamber were replaced with Wurlitzer chests. The number of ranks increased from 22 to 31.
A new 20-horsepower blower, a custom built muffler box and new larger-diameter static wind lines were installed. During the next several years nearly every component of the organ was rebuilt in David Peckham’s shop. Gary Phillips rebuilt the remaining 14 Wurlitzer regulators and the console was repaired, expanded and professionally refinished. The 1985 Z-Tronics relay system was expanded and a new Z- Tronics memory system was added. More recently the long silent echo chamber has been restored and expanded from three non-unified stops to five ranks. The overall effect is nothing short of ethereal, and it remains as perhaps the only working Echo division in an original movie theatre installation.
Today, the Clemens Center organ is the realization of the lifelong dreams of a gifted organist and organ builder. It is a near perfect melding of originality, carefully selected additions and a bit of modern technology brought together in a beautifully restored theatre. It is truly the jewel of the Finger lakes
4 manuals/31 ranks – Rank Analysis
MAIN CHAMBER (Audience Left)
| 8’ Vox Humana | 61 pipes |
| 10 2/3’ Tibia Clausa | 90 pipes |
| 16’ Diapason Phonon | 85 pipes |
| 16’ Concert Flute | 97 pipes |
| 8’ Oboe Horn | 61 pipes |
| 16’ Tuba Horn | 73 pipes |
| 8’ Viol D’Orchestre | 85 pipes |
| 8’ Salicional | 73 pipes |
| 8’ Viol Celeste | 73 pipes |
| 8’ Clarinet | 61 pipes |
| 8’ Salicional Celeste | 73 pipes |
| 8’ Stopped Flute | 85 pipes |
| 16’ French Horn | 12 pipes |
| 32’ Bombarde Harmonics** | 32 notes |
| 8’ Krumet (Prepared for) | 61 pipes |
| Chrysoglott | 49 notes |
| Marimba Harp | 49 notes |
| Piano* | 85 notes |
| Vibraphone* | 37 notes |
* Unenclosed
** The 32 Bombard Harmonics is formed from three independent mutation ranks for notes 1-12, then C-13 up plays the 16’ Diaphone and Tuba at 32’ pitch. The Main Tibia also plays at 10 2/3’ for notes 1-12. Basically, this is a 32’ pitch mixture replicating the overtones of a 32’ reed.
Z-Tronics relay/combination system
SOLO CHAMBER (Audience Right)
| 8’ English Post Horn | 61 pipes |
| 8’ Trumpet | 61 pipes |
| 32’ Solo Tibia Clausa | 109 pipes |
| 8’ Kinura | 61 pipes |
| 8’ Orchestral Oboe | 61 pipes |
| 8’ Saxophone | 61 pipes |
| 8’ Vox Humana | 61 pipes |
| 16’ Gamba | 85 pipes |
| 8’ Quintadena | 85 pipes |
| 16’ Gamba Celeste | 85 pipes |
| 16’ Horn Diapason | 85 pipes |
| 4’ Harmonic Flute | 61 pipes |
| 8’ French Trumpet | 61 pipes |
| Glockenspiel | 30 notes |
| Xylophone | 37 notes |
| Chimes | |
| Toy Counter/Effects |
ECHO CHAMBER (Ceiling, Rear)
| 8’ Flauto Dolce | 61 pipes |
| 4’ Flauto Dolce Celeste | 49 pipes |
| 8’ Gemshorn | 61 pipes |
| 8’ Gemshorn Celeste | 61 pipes |
| 8’ Vox Humana | 61 pipes |