The Kramer Chapel Organ is an integral part of the stunning total Kramer Chapel design. This design unity is not an accident, for architect, Eero Saarinen, and organ builder, Herman Schlicker, worked together for the magnificent result. Here are some facts about the instrument that created quite an interest in the organ world, in the LCMS, and in Fort Wayne in the 1950s.

Builder
Schlicker Organ Company, Buffalo, New York
Organ Design Consultant
Paul Bunjes, Professor at Concordia College (University), River Forest, Illinois.
Year of Installation: 1958
Cost: $45,000
Organ Dedication Recitalist: E. Power Biggs
         The attendance was so large that people had to sit outside of the narthex area as they attempted to hear.

Historic Significance
This was Herman Schlicker's first large installation. He donated several ranks so that the organ would be complete in his thinking. In addition, Herman Schlicker was part of a larger group of organ builders who were bringing to the United States the classic organ design of the Baroque period in Germany. Therefore, this instrument was one of the first to represent more of a European design in specifications and voicing than what was presently designed throughout the United States. E. Power Biggs said about the Kramer Chapel Organ, "I believe that this is the finest combination of worthy instrument and building in the United States today." The wonderful Schlicker Organs at Valparaiso University, Concordia, Ann Arbor, and many other sites all over the country followed this significant first installation in Fort Wayne. It is featured on the cover for several published organ volumes.

Well-known Recitalists who have performed at Kramer Chapel
E. Power Biggs (2x), David Craighead (4x), David and Marian Craighead (1x), Craig Cramer (2x), Hans Davidsson, Carla Edwards, John Eggert, William Eifrig, Philip Gehring, Gerre Hancock (2x), Anton Heiller, Richard Heschke (2x), David Higgs, David Hurd, Peter Hurford, Martin Jean (3x), Piet Kee, Paul Manz (2x), Robert Noehren, Charles Ore, Daniel Roth, Michael Schneider, Larry Smith, Steven Wente, Heinz Wunderlich, Christopher Young.

Original Specifications

Recent History
Additions under Joel Kuznik: Professor Joel Kuznik was Concordia College Campus Organist from 1958 to 1977. Under his direction the following stops were added by the Roderer Organ Company of Chicago, IL:

• Trompeta Real
• 32' Contra Fagott

• 4' Schalmei in Swell became 8' Oboe
• 8' Quintadena in Positiv became 8' Pommer
• 4' Regal in Positiv was changed to 2 2/3' Nazard
• 1 1/3' Klein-Nasat in Positiv was changed to 1 3/5' Tierce
• 8' Trumpet added to the Pedal
• 10 2/3' in the Pedal
• 32' Resultant in the Pedal
• Zimbelstern

Present Specifications

Today
The Kramer Chapel Organ is used daily in the 10 AM services for the campus. It also serves in the five annual Choral Vespers Services. Since 2002, Kantor Kevin J. Hildebrand has joined Kantor Resch in serving as organist for these and other seminary worship services. There is normally a full organ recital in November at The Good Shepherd Institute Conference, and a half recital in connection with the annual Confessions Symposia in January. The organ is also featured in the three weeks of annual Organist Workshops that have been held for the last 18 years on campus in the summer. Hundreds of organists from around the country have experienced playing this instrument through these workshops.

In Conclusion
Thanks be to God! This set of pipes in this amazing space have helped to teach pastors, laity, and promising church musicians almost daily what a fine organ can bring to their worship practice.