OHS Pipe Organ Database

BuilderID 295

Builder Identification

Seattle, Washington, 1925-mid 1970s.

Additional Notes

From the OHS PC Database, derived from A Guide to North American Organbuilders, rev .ed. by David H. Fox (Organ Historical Society, 1997). -

Partnership of Clyde M. "Sandy" Balcom and Ernest LeRoy Vaughan of Seattle, Washington, established c. 1925; interrupted by Balcom, Vaughan & Chase for 5 weeks, c. 1930; installed Kimball, Aeolian, and Robert-Morton organs, as well as their own work; active in 1995.

Staff: William J. Bunch; René A. Marçeau; Ken Mayberry; Eugene M. Nye; Terry Hochmuth (1970's).

Sources:
- David Junchen, Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ, Vol. 1 (Pasadena: Showcase Publications, 1985), 49.
- The American Organist, April 1989, 91.
From the OHS Database Builders Listing editor, October 8, 2016. -

"Balcom and Vaughn were manufacturer's representatives for Kimball, and Aeolian. Sandy Balcom passed away on Sept 3, 1985 at the age of 86. Sandy had founded Balcom & Vaughan Pipe Organs, Inc. in the heyday of the silent theatre, and installed Wurlitzers up and down the coast. At the end of that era, B&V began to focus on building classic organs for churches, and opened a chain of electronic studios."

Source:
- Puget Sound Theater Organ Society Website, http://www.pstos.org/history/balcom-vaughan.htm, accessed November 20, 2015.
From the OHS Database Builders Listing editor, October 8, 2016. -

"William Bunch took over the company after Balcom retired in 1966. Bunch had left Balcom & Vaughn and worked for Aeolian-Skinner for ten years, then returned in 1966. During his tenure, the company built more classically styled instruments with complete choruses and French style Swell reeds. When Bunch retired, John K. Moir purchased the company. Sometime afterwards, the shop lost its lease at its long time location, Moir moved the business to his home, and most of the employees left. Moir apparently kept the business open as a service firm for a few years."

NOTE: Sources were not cited for this article, but the information seems credible. Other information contained in the article has been confirmed.

Source:
- "Balcom and Vaughan Pipe Organ, Inc." Wikipedia, accessed November 20, 2015.

Database Entries

There are 342 entries in the database that describe organs by Balcom and Vaughan.

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