Aeolian-Skinner Organ Co.
Opus 1324, 1955

Hauptwerk and Positiv have 56 notes

According to an article by the Associated Press (7-2-11), the main organ is currently being removed from the building by volunteers with a deadline to have it completely out of the building by July 5. The plan is to have it be restored by Helderop and then installed at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Detroit. The Portative organ was already removed from the building, but it will not be part of the St. Aloysius project.

Updated through online information from Brian Ventura. -- The organ will be removed in the spring of 2011 by Helderop Pipe Organs. It will be stored for a future installation. Ford Auditorium will be demolished later in 2011. Main organ and portable are in good condition. The console has water damage but will be restored.

Updated through online information from Richard Ditewig. -- The building has not been razed; it still stands.

Updated through information adapted from E. M. Skinner/Aeolian-Skinner Opus List, by Sand Lawn and Allen Kinzey (Organ Historical Society, 1997), and included here through the kind permission of Sand Lawn:
Inaugurated by Marcel Dupré in the fall of 1957; four taxi horns added in 1958, #A-447; extant; Hauptwerk and Positiv on movable platforms; building has been razed.

Updated through online information from Mark Funk. -- 2006--Sad situation. The auditorium was closed with the opening of the renovated Orchestra Hall. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra moved to the renovated Orchestra Hall. Former technician told me that if the organ were to be removed it changes the status of the building. Until then, the Detroit City Government can sit and do nothing with the building. Some officials won't even discuss the building (secondhand). The building was closed in 1998. The organ has not been played since then. This organ had been played by Virgil Fox. A true example of an organ being held hostage by politics. An underground newspaper stated about a year ago that the Detroit Theater Organ Society was debating removing the former Fisher Theater organ from their venue to the Ford Auditorium. However I have heard of no further action. The organ seems reasonably doomed.

Identified through online information from Douglas W. Craw. -- The organ was designed by Joseph S. Whiteford and dedicated in a recital by Marcel Dupré. It is in 2 parts: The main organ (4 Divisions/49 Ranks) is installed in chambers above the stage. There is also a Portative Organ (3 Divisons/23 Ranks) that is movable. Ford Auditorium has been closed for many years (since the early 90s I believe) but as of a couple of years ago the building was still standing and the organ was still inside.