Following extensive repairs, Rugby School enjoyed a return to the Chapel for hymn practice this morning, marking the first use of the newly restored organ. Restoration work, led by Nicholson & Co., was required after significant rainwater damage in 2023. The project, which began in May 2024, included essential repairs and upgrades to enhance both the organ’s mechanical and tonal quality.

Key restoration and upgrades include:

Restoration of the Subbass 16′, Trombone 16′, Double Open Wood 32′ / Open Wood 16′ pedal chests

New shutter front to Swell expression box, and cladding of the box to improve dynamic range

Overhaul of the Solo expression box mechanism

Replacement of all drawstop solenoids

Upgrading of the piston capture system

Replacement of the mechanism for all four tremulants

The tonal adjustments are as follows:

Great Organ

Gamba 8′ pipework replaced with pipework of former Salicional 8′ (Sw)

Swell Organ

Geigen Diapason 8′ re-named Open Diapason 8′ and pipes 13–61 replaced from second-hand stock ex-Radley College

Stopped Diapason 8′ pipes 13–61 replaced with new

Salicional 8′ pipework replaced with pipework of former Voix Celeste 8′

Voix Celeste 8′ re-named Vox Angelica 8′, and pipework replaced from second-hand stock

Wald Flute 4′ re-named Rohr Flute 4′, and pipework replaced using Lewis Rohr Gedact 8′ ex-Manchester Town Hall

Octavin 2′ re-named Fifteenth 2′ and all pipes replaced, partly new and partly from previous Mixture III–IV

(quint) Mixture III–IV re-composed as (tierce) Sesquialtera III

Oboe 8′ pipes 13–61 replaced with new

Solo Organ

Viola 8′ (two ranks) split into separately drawable ranks: a Viola 8′ and Voix Celeste 8′.

Gemshorn 4′ removed

Bombarde 16′ / Festive Trumpet 8′ / Clarion 4′ and associated chests removed and replaced with new Bass Tuba 16′ / Tuba Mirabilis 8′ / Tuba Clarion 4′ on new chests, on heavy pressure.

All manual pipework has been cleaned and regulated to optimize sound quality, ensuring the Chapel organ’s majestic sound will continue to inspire for generations to come.

A huge thank you to Nicholson and Co for the wonderful work you have done!