The First Church Frobenius has 40 stops, 55 ranks and 2949 pipes — all arrayed in a great wooden case. Within this case are four “boxes” or divisions, which connect to the three keyboards and the foot pedals. Would you like to sponsor the renovation of one — or more — of these pipes? Choose yours and PIPE UP! All donors will receive a recording and picture of their pipe.
You can sponsor a pipe by clicking the button, choosing the Frobenius Organ Fund and writing the name of the pipe you would like to sponsor in the memo line. You can also send a check to First Church in Cambridge at 11 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 with “Frobenius” and the name of pipe you’d like to sponsor. Please include your email address to receive your photograph and recording of your pipe.
SPONSOR A PIPE IN THE POSITIV DIVISION
ROHRFLUTE 8′ – $10 to $25
SCHARFF IV – $26 to $50
REGAL 16′ – $51 to $100
The Positiv is the sprightliest division, with the most brilliant sounds, as well as some hauntingly beautiful solo stop combinations. It also has the buzzy Regal stop with reed pipes pointing out at listeners. The Positiv is the middle keyboard in the console and the smallest of the four divisions in the lower right of the case.
SPONSOR A PIPE IN THE SWELL DIVISION
CELESTE 8′ – $101 to $200
FAGOTT 16′ – $201 to $500
TROMPETE 8′ – $501 to $750
The Swell division is in the central lower section, shielded by shutters. It is connected to a foot pedal that opens and closes the shutters, providing dynamic shading in crescendo and decrescendo.
It has atmospheric soft stops, a bright Principal chorus, and three reed stops that provide solo sounds as well as a brilliant chorus of trumpets. The Swell is the top keyboard in the console.
SPONSOR A PIPE IN THE GREAT DIVISION
PRINZIPAL 8′ – $ 751 to $1000
POMMER 16′ – $1001 to $1500
TROMPETE 4′ – $1501 to $3000
The Great division is the bottom keyboard in the console, but the top division of pipes at the right top corner of the case. The Great is the anchor of the organ. It leads congregational singing and is used for major organ pieces. This is the primary manual division of any organ.
SPONSOR A PIPE IN THE PEDAL DIVISION
PRINZIPAL 16′ – $3001 to $5000
POSAUNE 16′ – $5001 to $10000
UNTERSATZ 32′ – $10,001 and above
The Pedal division is played by the feet and provides the bass sounds. The largest pipes in the organ are the bottom C of the Principal 16, which is sixteen feet long, and the Untersatz 32, also sixteen feet long but with a stopper at the top that lowers the pitch one octave, giving a sound you can feel rather than hear for the lowest notes.