Presser Hall Auditorium
Presser Hall auditorium seats more than 1,700 with an additional 500 seating capacity on the stage. The hall’s exceptional acoustics can support large choral/orchestral performances and solo recitals with equal clarity.
With classrooms, studios, practice rooms and a fully equipped computer lab includes the latest in computer software and hardware, synthesizers and recording equipment. The DeWitt Center for Music occupies the second and third floors of Presser Hall. The instrumental music department is well equipped with instruments appropriate to the needs of band, orchestra, and jazz ensemble. Individual lockers are available for the protection and security of instruments.
Pipe Organs of Bethany College
The Thomson-Mingenback Organ
“The Thomson-Mingenback Concert Organ in Presser Hall Auditorium at Bethany College is one of the largest in the central United States. The versatility and quality of the instrument is that of a wide range of individual expression for organists, allows for accurate interpretation of the literature which reflects the heritage of the organ, and raises a challenge to composers to explore the resources of this instrument in new music.
Designed by Dr. Paul G. Bunjes, the instrument was built and installed in 1976 by the Reuter Organ Company of Lawrence, Kansas. The organ is named for the major donors − Mr. F. Carl Thomson of Lindsborg and Mrs. E. C. Mingenback, Julia J. Mingenback Foundation of McPherson, Kansas.
The Thomson-Mingenback Concert Organ is significant not only because of size, but more importantly because of tonal design, versatility and craftsmanship. There are 80 ranks (sets of pipes), 4,329 pipes, two sets of Zimbelstern, and four manuals plus pedal. The Vorsatz (floating division) contains 7 ranks of pipes under higher wind pressure than the rest of the organ, and is playable from any division. The 32′ Bombarde stop in the pedal is the longest of the pipes. Two ranks of trumpet-style pipes are mounted horizontally on the front of the case. The instrument is visually and musically commanding. It fits the aesthetic setting of historic Presser Hall, and it enhances the existing acoustics. It is used for concerts, recitals, celebratory services, and everyday practice for students and faculty.”
Specifications
80 Ranks | 4,329 Pipes | 6 Divisions | 4 Manuals – 61 Notes, Pedal – 32 Notes
| Great (Manual II) 16’ Gross Pommer 8’ Principal 8’ Waldfloete 4’ Octave 4’ Querfloete 2 2/3’ Quinte 2’ Octave II Quintenona IV Mixtur III Klingendzimbel 8’ Trompete Vorsatz Swell to Great 8’ Positif to Great 8’ Choir to Great 8’ Choir (Manual IV) 8’ Barduen 4’ Fugara 4’ Spillfloete 2 2/3’ Nasat 2’ Principal II Terzsept III Rauschzimbel 8’ Krummhorn 8’ Oboe (Prepared) 4’ Geigendregal Vorsatz Tremulant Positif to Choir 8’ |
Swell (Manual III) 8’ Holzgedackt 8’ Salicional 8’ Celeste 4’ Principal 4’ Koppelfloete 2’ Hohlfloete II Quartan IV Plein Jeu 16’ Chalumeau 8’ Trompette 4’ Schalmei Vorsatz Tremulant Swell to Swell 4’ Positif to Swell 8’ Choir to Swell 8’ Vorsatz (Floating) 16’ Zink en Chamade 8’ Trompette en Chamade V Kornett Praestant Zimbelstern Forte Zimbelstern Piano |
Positif (Manual I) 8’ Rohrgedackt 4’ Geigendprincipal 4’ Spitzgedackt 2’ Blockfloete II Sesquialtera IV Scharf 16’ Rankett 8’ Konisch Regal Vorsatz Tremulant Choir to Positif 8’ Pedal 16’ Principalbass 16’ Gedacktbass 8’ Octave 8’ Gemshorn 5 1/3’ Grossquinte 4’ Choral Bass 4’ Spitzfloete II Rauschquinte IV Mixtur 32’ Bombarde 16’ Posaune 8’ Trompette (Prepared) 8’ Dulzian 4’ Fagott 2’ Kornett Vorsatz Great to Pedal 8’ Swell to Pedal 8’ Positif to Pedal 8’ Choir to Pedal 8’ |
The Chapel Organ
Built by the Reuter Organ Company of Lawrence, KS in 1974, the chapel organ was a gift from the Julia J. Mingenback Foundation of McPherson, Kansas.
The organ is mounted in the southeast corner of the Burnett Center Chapel and contains 8 ranks of pipes, controlled by an electro-pneumatic console. All pipe work is free-standing and exposed without expression
Specifications
8 Ranks – 459 Pipes | 2 Manuals – 61 Notes | Pedal – 32 Notes
| Great 8’ Principal 8’ Gedeckt 4’ Oktav 4’ Quintadena 2’ Rohrflöte II Mixture |
Positiv 8’ Gedeckt 8’ Quintadena (low 12 from 8’ Gedeckt) 4’ Rohrflöte (low 12 from 4’ Quintadena) 2’ Principal 2’ Quintadena (top 12 from 2’ Rohrflöte) 1 1/3’ Larigot 1’ Sifflöte Tremolo |
Pedal 16’ Untersatz 8’ Principal 8’ Gedeckt 4’ Oktav 4’ Quintadena 2’ Rohrflöte II Mixture |
The Rieger Portativ Organ
“The Rieger portative organ was built by the Rieger Organ Company of Schwarzach, Austria.
It is a quality pipe organ with one manual, no pedal, with 6 stops. In addition to a basic 8’, 4’, 2’, and 1 1/3’ stop list, it also has a two rank mixture and an 8’ reed (Regal 8’). It has 56 keys, and all of the stops sound for the entire range of the keyboard. It is similar to a permanent installation, such as for a church, but the primary difference is in the scaling of the pipes; it is smaller. The organ’s basic purpose is to be an accompanying instrument, rather than a solo instrument. It is especially suited to be a chamber instrument, and it serves well as an accompanying instrument for choral groups, or as a continuo medium for instrumental/instrumental-choral groups. The scaling and voicing is toned lower, so it doesn’t blast – yet it projects well and has carrying powers because of its unique design.”
(Taken from dedicatory recital program – February 19, 1978)
Along with accompanying choirs and chamber ensembles, the Rieger organ is also used in the continuo of the famed Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Passion of our Lord According to St. Matthew performed annually by the Bethany College Oratorio Society.
Specification
7 Ranks – 392 Pipes
1 Manual
8’ Holzgedackt
4’ Rohrflöte
2’ Principal
1 1/3’ Quinte
II Cimbel
8’ Regal
The Klug and Schumacher Practice Organ
The Klug and Schumacher Opus 8 practice organ at Bethany College was built in 1982.
Located on the third floor of Presser Hall in Room 319, this instrument has 3 ranks of pipes controlled by mechanical action.
Specification
3 Ranks – 130 Pipes
2 Manuals – 56 Notes
Pedal – 32 Notes
| Great 8’ Spitzprincipal |
Positiv 8’ Gedackt |
Pedal 8’ Bourdon |
Pianos
Teaching studios, classrooms and many practice rooms are equipped with grand pianos. Concert grand pianos include a 9’6″ Bosendorfer and a 9′ Baldwin. There is a 2012 K. Kawai baby grand piano in Room 321, the main choir rehearsal room.