Sound is paramount!

While thousands of hours go into meticulously crafting the intricate components that form an organ's mechanical heart, it’s the tonal quality of the pipes that breathes life into it. Without this artistry, an organ would be mere machinery—lacking soul, unable to convey an artistic message.

At Lewtak Pipe Organ Builders, we recognize the profound significance of tone in organ building and dedicate meticulous care to the voicing process. This is where an organ’s soul truly emerges, transforming it into a living, resonant instrument. Voicing is one of the lengthiest and most critical stages, demanding countless adjustments both during pre-voicing in our shop and fine-tuning at its final destination. At this stage, the instrument either reaches its full potential or falls short, underscoring the essential role of voicing in creating a masterpiece.

All voicing is done by Tom Lewtak, whose thirty years of professional experience as a trained organist and voicer are brought to bear on every pipe. Tom’s extensive background, which includes playing and listening to hundreds of organs around the world, allows him to bring a deeply discerning ear to the voicing process. His education and expertise were refined through mentorship by one of Europe’s premier voicers, Mogens Pedersen, former chief voicer at the renowned Frobenius Organ Builders in Copenhagen, Denmark. Under Mogens’ guidance, Tom cultivated a mastery in the art and science of organ voicing, making him uniquely equipped to achieve an unparalleled tonal quality.

To ensure premier-class service, we utilize a custom-built, two-rank voicing tracker organ. Nearly all pipes are pre-voiced on this instrument, allowing us to deliver exceptional results. Additionally, our voicing organ is portable, which means clients can often use it as a temporary instrument while their organ undergoes maintenance.

Describing the nuances of sound can be as elusive as defining a scent or emotion. As Shakespeare said in Love’s Labour’s Lost, "Beauty is bought by judgment of the eye," and in organ building, it is the ear that judges our efforts. We welcome potential clients to experience our work by requesting a CD, which provides a genuine sense of the exceptional quality and craftsmanship in our voicing. This preview speaks volumes about the artistry and skill we bring to every organ.