Schantz Organ Co.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Please help improve this article or section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (January 2008)

The Schantz Organ Company' of Orrville, Ohio is the largest and oldest pipe organ builder still under the ownership of the founding family. Schantz is a major, national builder and restorer of pipe organs. Their facilities are located in Orrville, Ohio, about an hour from Cleveland, Ohio.

History

The Schantz Organ Company was founded in 1873 by A.J. Tschantz (later changed to Schantz). Combining his inventive skills with a love of music, Schantz began building pipe organs after a brief venture into the construction of reed (parlor) organs.

In the early part of the twentieth century, A.J.'s sons joined him in his organ building shop. Under their leadership, the growing company developed a strong reputation as a regional builder. (Most of the early instruments were modest in size and found within a couple of hundred miles of the workshop in Orrville.) In turn, their sons learned the skills of the trade and took over the operation of the company. It was under the leadership of the third generation (following World War II) that the company developed its national reputation.

Today work continues under the management of Victor Schantz (President) of the fourth generation of the Schantz family and Vice-presidents Jeffrey Dexter, Eric Gastier, and Timothy Mann. Commissions for the firm include projects ranging in scope from restoration of existing instrument to the construction of an entirely new organ, and in size from small organs of a few ranks to complex designs for large halls, churches and cathedrals.