I’ve been fascinated with practice organ design since my early days as a student. Practice organs carry some of the biggest burden in our profession: they are played constantly, render a huge span of the repertoire, and promote lifelong habits (good or bad) for the student – all in the smallest spaces imaginable!
Schoenstein & Co. is building a three-manual, 29 voice, 34 rank organ for Saint Philip’s Episcopal Church in Coral Gables, Florida.
Consider the talented choir accompanist. Seated at the organ bench, this person fulfills all the duties of a first-class orchestrator, with the added responsibility of playing the performance! These are the accompanist-orchestrators, super-musicians of our field, sensitive and creative in preparation and performance. Our new organ for Church of the Good Shepherd in Corpus Christi, […]
Schoenstein & Co. is building a four-manual, 11 rank organ for Brigham Young University – Idaho, Rexburg, ID. The organ program, led by Dr. Daniel Kerr, is comprised of roughly twelve undergraduate and graduate students. These students perform in Barrus Concert Hall on a four manual Ruffatti organ. The hall and the students both have […]
Bryan Dunnewald has been appointed President and Tonal Director of Schoenstein & Co., continuing the company’s tradition of placing leadership in the hands of musicians. He now oversees all aspects of the company with a focus on its musical direction. Dunnewald began his association with Schoenstein ten years ago and served most recently as Tonal […]
Louis Patterson has retired as President of Schoenstein & Co. after 25 years of service. He leaves a legacy of technical advancement and musical knowledge to the team he trained and the clients he served. Patterson also developed Schoenstein’s unique approach for tuning organs and personally supervised the care of the San Francisco Bay Area’s […]
Robert D. Rhoads, retired Vice President and Technical Director of Schoenstein & Co., died at the age of 88 on February 10, 2024, at his Sonoma, CA home. Born in Burbank, CA, his family moved to a farm in Sunnyside, WA where he first acquired his tenacious, “can-do” attitude. Bob attended Simpson College in Washington […]
Benicia, CA – Please join us on Sunday, March 10, from 2-5 p.m. for an Open House at our Benicia plant. Guests will be able to see and hear our opus 185, a large organ for Corpus Christi, TX. There will be other projects on view throughout the plant. As is our custom, guests will […]
Chancel Case Schoenstein & Co. is building a three-manual, 46 rank organ for Church of the Good Shepherd in Corpus Christi, Texas. Built in 1950, the Spanish mission-revival building seats about 500 and offers a warm, balanced acoustic for voice and organ. The large Episcopal parish and renowned day school use the church every day […]
Celebrating its 146th anniversary, Schoenstein & Co. owner Jack Bethards announced a leadership plan to assure the firm’s future. He will assume the role of Chairman and Tonal Advisor. Vice President Louis Patterson becomes President, managing all aspects of the company. Bryan Dunnewald is named Tonal Director, working with Bethards to continue and execute the […]
