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Ahmanson Foundation Gift Funds Expansion of Historic Royce Organ

Carolyn Campbell (ccampbel@arts.ucla.edu) (310) 825-6540
For Immediate Use Wednesday, January 20, 1999.


A $150,000 gift from the Ahmanson Foundation to UCLA’s School of the Arts and Architecture has supported the addition of a new Bombarde division of 24 ranks of pipes to the Royce Hall organ. The organ, one of the largest and most historically significant in Los Angeles, has been restored and reinstalled after suffering major damage in the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

In the spirit of the first three decades of this century, the Skinner organ of 1930 was essentially "orchestral" or "symphonic" in style, designed to play transcriptions of 19th-century orchestral and operatic music as well as original organ music in that style. “The renovation goal,” said University Organist and music department faculty member Tom Harmon, “was to repair and preserve the original organ intact and, with the new additions, to increase its versatility in the performance of German baroque and French romantic and contemporary music.” A new five-manual console was installed, with the fifth manual controlling the new division of the 104-rank instrument.

“The foundation is pleased to support this endeavor, which has truly enhanced the tonal spectrum of the Royce Hall instrument as well as extending the opportunity to perform more authentic music from unique periods in the history of organ literature,” said Lee Walcott, managing director of the Ahmanson Foundation.

“The Ahmanson Foundation’s generous support for the significant addition to the Royce Hall organ has ensured its priceless legacy enabling it to resume its place as one of the great organs of Los Angeles,” said Daniel Neuman, dean of the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture.

Designed by Harold Gleason, head of the organ department at the Eastman School of Music, in consultation with his mentor Lynnwood Farnam, and G. Donald Harrison of the Skinner Organ Company, the Royce Hall organ was premiered in the new auditorium on September 7, 1930.

The Royce Hall organ series will be revived on February 2 when Harmon present an organ recital featuring highlights from Gleason’s inaugural concert. Harmon will also perform a major work for organ and orchestra in the fall with the UCLA Philharmonia Orchestra.


Contact: Carolyn Campbell
Phone: (310) 825-6540
Email: ccampbel@arts.ucla.edu