Our New Pipe Organ

Martin Pasi & Associates, Opus 28

Martin Pasi, organ builder

Pasi Organ Builders is located south of Seattle in Roy, Washington.

The firm specializes in building fine mechanical action organs and restoration of historic instruments.

Working with a small group of fine craftsmen, Martin Pasi oversees all phases of building his organs, including design, manufacturing, voicing, and installation. All components of the instruments are built in his shop.

Since the opening of the shop in 1990, 28 instruments have been completed ranging in size from a 3 stop continuo to a large 4 manual organ. 

Martin Pasi received his first formal experience in organ building during a four year apprenticeship with the Rieger Company in his native Austria. He immigrated to the United States in 1981 and worked with several organ builders until he opened his own shop.

Pasi Organ Builders and Associates are world-renown craftsmen of handcrafted pipe organs. Using time-honored techniques passed down through history, Martin Pasi’s instruments are impeccably constructed. Known for his “vocal voicing” of the pipes, Martin’s instruments stand out with a sound with their unforced, rich lyrical sound that parallels the beauty of the human voice.

Specification, Op. 28
2 manual, 33 stops, 39 ranks

The Organ/Stained Glass Window Project

• In early 2013 the organ committee was tasked with figuring out what to do with our failing pipe organ, alongside the development of Nave renovation plans.

• After independent studies and consultations, a new organ was recommended and approved. The proposal from Pasi Organbuilders of Roy, Washington, was selected. Its design was incorporated into our 2016 “Making a Space for All” Nave renovation which made accessibility improvements to the space and included acoustical upgrades to enhance worship and music. These included a silent HVAC system, sculpted choir ceiling, lighting, and the stiffening and strengthening of the nave ceiling and chancel walls.

• With the generous bequest of Lew and Valerie Gulick, we were able to sign the organ contract in May of 2018 for Martin Pasi and Associates, Op. 28.

• A phased fundraising approach was initiated in the Fall of 2018 to raise $1.8 million to fund the organ and renovation project. Because of your tremendous generosity, this project was made possible.

• In the summer and fall of 2020 remaining Nave renovations from 2016 were completed in preparation for the arrival of the organ, including restoration of our two largest stained glass windows, acoustical and lighting upgrades, as well as upgrades to the envelope of the organ chamber. The nave was also entirely repainted.

• We celebrated the arrival of our new pipe organ on October 3, 2021 and give great thanks for all who have given so generously to this project, which brings a beautiful instrument to our worship and broader community.

• Our celebratory dedication weekend was held February 11-13, 2022.

Why we need a new organ

The previous organ at Saint George’s was over 100 years old.  Installed in 1955, the instrument was already 40 years old when it came to St. George’s, and it served us for about 70 years.  An independent survey of the organ revealed its many parts had and continued to rapidly deteriorate and there were several fundamental design flaws (placement of pipes sounding into the choir’s ears, chambers with no insulation, poor tonal qualities and overall workmanship).

Even if all components of the Newcomer organ were repaired and updated, you would still be left with an instrument that reflects century-old building practices. The cost to rebuild could easily be up to half that of a new instrument…I cannot in good faith recommend that the existing instrument be rebuilt, given its age and its great number of failings. (Santoianni Study, pg. 33)

The organ committee concluded that a new instrument would allow us to address fundamental problems with our current instrument, look to the future, and enable us to be good stewards of our resources, creating an instrument that could fully support our worship and music ministry for many decades to come.

Project Timeline

2013- Saint George’s begins investigating how to remedy its failing pipe organ.  Organ Committee formed, led by Eric Goldman, in conjunction with Building Renovation Committee.  Independent survey of the instrument is commissioned.  Committee explores all available options and visits many instruments.  

2014- The recommendation to build a new instrument is approved unanimously by Vestry and organ builders are interviewed and  Pasi Organbuilders of Roy, Washington is selected.  

2015-2016 - Phase 1 of Nave renovations begins and is completed.

2018-2019-  Architectural and additional nave renovation planning, refinement of designs and fundraising.
August 2019- The Pasi shop begins construction on our organ. Total time of construction is about 14-16 months. 

Fall 2019 - Organ Campaign is launched to raise remaining funds for the organ and nave renovations (stained glass and lighting)
August - December 2020 - Acoustical improvements and chamber and acoustical modifications begins, as well as the removal of our old instrument.
October 3, 2021- Organ installation. (2 weeks install, 10 weeks voicing)
February 11-13, 2022 - Dedicatory recital, children’s event and worship services.