Kotzschmar Memorial Organ
The Kotzschmar Memorial Organ, usually referred to as the Kotzschmar Organ, is a pipe organ located at Merrill Auditorium in the City Hall of Portland, Maine, United States.
History
Built in 1911 by the
The organ was donated to the city by Portland native
The Kotzschmar Organ is a prime example of the U.S. style of municipal (city–owned) organs which were once a prevalent part of American culture throughout the first half of the 20th century.
Organists
Municipal organists
The City of Portland created the position of Municipal Organist in 1912. The position was maintained until 1981 when it was eliminated due to budget constraints. That same year a non-profit organization called Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ was formed in order to provide continued funding for a municipal organist (who would become an FOKO employee), as well as to fund maintenance and restoration of the organ.[1]
To date, there have been eleven municipal organists in Portland:[1]
- Will C. Macfarlane, 1912–1919
- Irvin John [James] Morgan, 1919–1921
- Edwin H. Lemare, 1921–1923
- Charles Raymond Cronham, 1924–1932
- Alfred Brinkler, 1935–1952
- John E. Fay, 1952–1976
- Douglas Rafter, 1976–1981
- Gerald McGee, 1983–1988
- Earl Miller, 1988–1989
- Ray Cornils, 1990–2017
- James Kennerley, 2018–present
Visiting organists
A partial list of notable organists who have played the Kotzschmar Memorial Organ:[1][4]
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External links
References
- ^ ISBN 0-9763041-1-2.
- ^ The American Municipal Pipe Organ Website
- ^ "Pipedreams #0124: The Maine Idea". Retrieved 27 October 2010.
- ^ "Archived Concerts". Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ. Archived from the original on 2008-08-20. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
- ^ Thomas Heywood at the Kotzschmar Organ
- ^ Kapp, Madeline (August 24, 2016). "Orgelfest16 opener showcases masterful playing of Frederick Swann". Retrieved 2018-08-07.