Opus 77-Grace Church's organ
The Opus 77 organ project took about four years (2015-2019) to accomplish. One of the best descriptions of the new organ was written by Michael Latsko, Grace Church's Music Director at the time. His article from Keswick Life (November 15, 2019) magazine may be read here. Photos and a stoplist can be found here.
According to Latsko, "In summer 2016, the church commissioned an “organ task force” to consider options and make a recommendation. In addition to studying and learning as much as they could about pipe organs, the group took field trips, both locally and to locations in Virginia, Washington D.C., and North Carolina, to see, hear, and play a variety of organs, to meet with organ builders, and to learn about and actually see what quality organ building craftsmanship looks and sounds like." The task force recommended the organbuilding firm Taylor and Boody, and also recommended some acoustical modifications inside the church, along with some much-needed renovation. Ultimately, the Opus 77 project included not only the new pipe organ, but also improvements to the sound system and acoustics, enhanced lighting and heating/cooling for the church interior, flexible choir space, and a restored gallery space at the rear of the church.
The Opus 77 project was paid for with insurance funds, supplemented by a $1.8 million dollar capital campaign, completed in 2022.
Opus 77 officially debuted in December 2019, with a community carol sing and concert.
Documentation and presentations from the organ task force to the parish and community:
Back to the future. Rev. G. Miles Smith. July 15, 2018.