THE CONRAD DOLLORGAN

Shortly  after the German Reformed and Lutheran congregations agreed to use the church jointly, the Lutheran people proposed that a musical instrument should be purchased for the church. Some of the members of the church believed that mechanical music was inappropriate for a church.  Apparently, the Lutheran faction won out and on July 6, 2007 an agreement was made between Conrad Doll, an organ maker from Lancaster, and the two congregations. The Peace Church Organ, designated as No. 5 on the name plate, is reputed to be the first instrument of its kind installed in a church in Cumberland County. It is one of the few organs in the United States that still remains, and is played, in the original location for which it was built.  The sum paid was indicated as $466.67. They were also to pay for moving the Organ from Lancaster to the church.

Fritz Noack restored the organ in 1974. In his inspection report dated September 2, 1972, he describes the organ as follows:  The Chippendale architecture of the case, especially some details – such as the foot lengths of the front pipes,  encourage the assumption that Doll was independent in his design of furniture aspect of the organ.”  He also describes the case as: “Pine originally painted in a cream-white color, over which later a brown and then white coat of paint has been applied.”  The pipes in the towers had been replaced by zinc pipes during the rebuilding of the organ in 1887. The gilding included a first coat of gold leaf, and a second gold paint, apparently in his estimation not original.

Raymond Brunner

Raymond Brunner’s profession is the building and restoring of pipe organs.  Since 1981, he has been the owner of R.J. Brunner and Company, Silver Spring Pennsylvania.  A 1971 graduate of Lehigh University,  Mr. Brunner  has worked in the organ building business since 1979. During his career he has been involved in the restoration of many important early American organs for churches and museums.  He is a member of O.H.S.  and the The American Institute of Organbuilders.

Thomas Dressler

Thomas Dressler is known for exciting, passionate performances on the organ and harpsichord which combine warm musicality with historic techniques. He has been performing for thirty years, often on historic instruments. Mr.  Dressler attempts to play these instruments in a manner similar to how they would have been played originally, rather than using the same technique as we do for modern instruments. This makes it sound more like it might have sounded in 1807.

Mr. Dressler will be playing the 1800 Tannenberg later in October. He has spent much time studying Tannenberg instruments, which were the pattern for the Doll organ. For more information on Mr. Dressler’s appearances you can go to his website www.thomasdressler.com.

He has appeared on local television in NY, the Poconos, and Philadelphia. His playing at the opening concert of the 150th anniversary celebration of the Round Lake organ was said to be "riveting" and "stunningly elegant." In August of 2001 he recorded the Round Lakeorgan, and the CD was released in 2003.

Officers of the Central New Jerseychapter of the American Guild of Organists have said, "Mr. Dressler is an organist with solid technique, well known for his exquisite rendering of Renaissance and Baroque music." But he does not only specialize in "early" music. He also spends much time exploring how music was performed during the 19th century, trying to uncover possible modern misconceptions about this music and present it in a manner the composers would recognize.

As a teenager, Mr. Dressler studied organ with James Boeringer and practiced on an 1880 Felgemaker organ. During this time he began to have an intense interest in old "tracker action" organs. He also began to have an interest in historic performing practices (using the information available in old treatises to attempt to play music in a way similar to how the composers may have originally heard it.) When these fingerings and articulations are matched with the music being played, it is possible to infuse it with a degree of emotion and excitement not possible with modern techniques. He pursued these techniques throughout his college years, earning a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance, cum laude, from Susquehanna University , and a Master of Music in Performance, with honors, from Westminster Choir College. At Westminster, he studied organ with Mark Brombaugh and Joan Lippincott. Eugene Roan, who has performed at Peace Church several times,  was also one of his teachers at Westminster.

Mr. Dressler has held large church positions in Philadelphia and New Jersey, where he is also known as a choral director. He is currently employed as Director of Music at the RC Church of St. John the Evangelist in Lambertville, NJ. He has also been a featured lecturer in various venues in addition to lecturing at Warren County Community College (NJ), speaking on topics such as Performance Practices of the Baroque Era, various topics in music history and appreciation, and Music and Holistic Health.

His special abilities to communicate, both as a speaker and performer, are combined in a special approach to performances where he discusses much of the music he performs. This creates an enthusiastic and passionate musical experience. A reporter from a local newspaper in Pennsylvania has said, "Dressler interacts with the audience on a very personal level, appealing to young and old alike. One comes away from each program knowing they have learned something."

Peace Church is a 210 year old limestone sanctuary located on the corner of St. John’s Church and Trindle Roads near Camp Hill. It is maintained as a museum by the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission and is open on Sunday Afternoons from June through September for free tours and cultural events. Parking is available in the office lot directly across St. John’s Church Road; handicapped parking is available behind the Resource Center (formerly the Gift Shop). For more information contact 717-422-5486