The Music Institute of Chicago is the proud owner of a magnificent pipe organ, built in 1914 by the esteemed Rolls Royce of organ builders of the day – Ernest M. Skinner.  Restored in 2007-2009 by the Chicago firm of J.L. Weiler, organ curators for the Chicago Symphony, what remained unrestored were the key contacts that have since 2009 become increasingly unreliable after over 100 years of use, with some notes playing, some notes not.  With a very generous donation from David Cory, son of the late Florence Boone who was a long time trustee and chair of the Skinner Organ Restoration Project, the Music Institute was able to realize this important capstone for the instrument.

Hear the Organ in Action!

James Russell Brown and Margaret McElwain Kemper serve as organ faculty at the Music Institute of Chicago where there are currently eight organ students.  Mr. Brown will be performing Charles-Marie Widor’s “Andante” from his “Symphonie Gothique” – a piece that shows off the beautiful romantic colors of the organ in the first concert of the Music Institute of Chicago's 2015-2016 season.The concert includes member of the Music Institute faculty performing a delightfully engaging program of classical favorites affectionately known by their musical nicknames.