Walker Technical Company

Walker Technical completed the digital voiced which will be installed nd made playable prior to the installation of the pipework. The console is by R.A. Colby.

The Castro Symphonic Theater Organ is set to be the world's largest hybrid organ featuring pipe ranks and digital ranks for a total of 400 stops. These stops will be played over 7 manuals. The console has already been fully built by R.A. Colby and is now at the Walker Technical shops. It has successfully received its electronic internals and is now awaiting delivery arrangements to the theater.
Due to COVID-19, the full already begun installation has been met with a variety of hang-ups including some financial fundraising hang-ups. To solve this, the organization responsible for the creation of such a mammoth instrument unlike any other in the world has divided the installation into separate phases. Phase 1 will see the organ console and digital systems brought from Walker in Pennsylvania to San Francisco for the remaining portions of the installation process. From there Phase 2 will include the installation of the physical pipe ranks. This split approach will allow the Castro Theater to continue to host pre-screening organ performances utilizing the full digital ranks while the physical ones are completed and installed.

Famed Organ builder and pioneer of hybrid organ technology Allan Harrah was a driving force in the creation of this instrument. He volunteered his expertise and time at no charge to make the Castro instrument possible. Unfortunately Allan passed away on June 1, 2020. However, the instrument will carry a legacy beyond his years.

Resources:
Castro Organ Devotees Association- CODA