The King of Instruments
An organ aficionado sharing his passion with the world
Andrew Anderson Memorial Pipe Organ - V/99
The Andrew Anderson Memorial Pipe Organ has had a long history with the university. This includes three organ builders and countless of men and women enjoying the sounds of the now V/99 pipe organ! Dr. Andrew Anderson, a St. Augustine philanthropist, donated $50,000 to then president Albert Murphree in 1923. The money was to be used in the purchase of a suitable pipe organ for the newly constructed University Chapel-Auditorium. The Skinner Organ Company was selected to design and build this organ. It was first heard on Sunday, June 7, 1925, at the baccalaureate service of the university's 20th annual commencement. That same afternoon, tonal director William E. Zeuch formally dedicated the instrument with a recital.
During World War II and immediately after, due to institutional economic conditions, the instrument itself was not given proper care. This treasure of the university was buried behind layers of heavy velour curtains and was not given proper attention. Once the Division of Music was established in 1948, immediate efforts were made to rescue the instrument. The first renovations and reconstruction of the organ was carried out during 1965-70 by the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company. By 1977, renovation of the Auditorium building was complete, but the Aeolian-Skinner company was no longer in business. Thus the M.P. Möller Organ Company of Hagerstown, Maryland continued the renovation plans for the organ. It was restored to the building in the spring of 1980.
The entire organ began to be heard in its final form in the Spring of 1992. The Choir and Bombard divisions were installed, along with a new five manual console. To aid in the growing number of students, a solid-state combination memory system of 32 levels was also installed. The Anderson Memorial organ contains about 6,000 pipes over 99 ranks and five divisions. Among the distinguished organ virtuosi who have played at the University of Florida are: Marcel Dupré, E. Power Biggs, Virgil Fox, Catherine Crosier, and Gillian Weir. The organ continues to be heard in concerts and commencement ceremonies throughout the year. This gift from Dr. Andrew Anderson still inspires young organists and touches anyone who hears it with its beauty.
The stoplist can be found here.