William Drake (organ builder)
The firm of William Drake, Organ Builder manufactures pipe organs in Buckfastleigh, Devon, England, and has an appointment as organ builder to the Queen.
William Drake established the firm in 1974 after completing an apprenticeship, in which he built a small award winning organ. Initially, the company was part of John Loosemore Centre for Organ and Early Music - an entity that taught a number of subjects concerning the organ - such as playing of the organ, history, and building of such instruments. Eventually the program was discontinued, but Drake's firm has continued since that time. His firm has built organs, as well as restored instruments in a number of countries, including New Zealand and the United States.
For the design of instruments, the firm takes its inspiration from English organs of the 18th and 19th centuries. Organs built by Drake's company are mechanical action instruments.
William Drake died on 11 January 2014, aged 70. The business continues under the direction of Geert Noppers and Joost de Boer, who have been members of the staff for many years.
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