Buying the perfect church organ: 9 essential tips

Do you want to replace your old church organ? Or do you have plans to start a new municipality? We can help you in these situations with our tips for buying a new church organ.

1] A new pipe organ, second hand pipe organ or virtual organ?

In many old churches you will find beautiful pipe organs. A pipe organ looks beautiful and often sounds very nice. If you have a large municipality: a pipe organ is a possibility. This type of organ is handmade. Imagine that an organ consists of hundreds of different parts. This is a big investment. In addition, a pipe organ must be maintained regularly.

A cheaper alternative is a second-hand pipe organ. Did you know that many old pipe organs can be found on Markt.de, for example? Or take over the old organ from a friendly community.

Nowadays, we also see more and more churches searching for a virtual organ, for example a Hauptwerk organ from Mixtuur. Not much space is needed and the organ can be placed in a flexible audio setup. A complete organ case or just a console: everything is possible.

2] Or just a hybrid organ?

There is another alternative for municipalities that already have a pipe organ, but would like to switch to a Mixtuur digital organ. It is possible to make a hybrid organ. In that case, a combination is made of the existing pipe organ and a digital organ from Mixtuur. This way you can easily expand your church organ with several tunes. The current tunes will not be lost.

3] What kind of sound? And how many tunes?

Each organ has its own sound. A good example is a Hammond organ. Does the timbre fit well? And how many tunes should an organ have? The advantage of a virtual organ is that you can download samples from hundreds of different organs, which makes it easy to switch.

4] Think about the graphic design

Is there enough space in the church to place a beautiful organ? Then you should also think about the design. Do you prefer a classical finish or should the organ blend into the modern environment? Discuss your wishes with the organ builder. Every organ builder, including Mixtuur, can make custom organs.

5] Make an inventory: what does the municipality want?

Don’t just make the decision within the current church council, but also involve members of the municipality in your search for a new organ. Ultimately, of course, members of the congregation pay for the new church organ. Organize an information day during which the various organs are discussed. Or plan an excursion to churches with pipe and virtual organs.

6] Ask the organist

More importantly, ask the organist. What type of organ does he or she like to play? Some organists prefer to play on a pipe organ, while others are Hauptwerk lovers. If your organist has a little experience with organs other than the current church organ, then…

7] …it’s time for testing!

Tell the organist that he or she needs to go to other churches to test the organs there. Pipe organs can be found in almost every town or city. Mixtuur church organs can be found in Wijngaarden, Sliedrecht, Oldebroek, Nieuwe-Tonge, Delft and many other cities. If your organist would like to try a Hauptwerk organ, feel free to let him or her contact Mixtuur.

8] Keep an eye on the budget

Is the budget exceeded? Inform members of the municipality to be on time and, for example, keep an extra collection in the church. The members will undoubtedly give extra for the realization of the new organ. As an alternative, you as a municipality can come up with an idea to raise money for the organ. For example, organize a (flea) market or a concert. Members of the municipality may have to work together here and will actively talk to each other on such a day, which in turn fraternizes and strengthens the ‘cement’ of the municipality.

9] And keep asking! 
Feel free to contact a Mixtuur Orgels employee. We are happy to visit you to discuss the possibilities, so that you can make a good decision. Good luck!