Saint Theresa’s is blessed to have two fine organs: a three-manual Peragallo in the French Romantic style behind the High Altar; and a two-manual mechanical action Roche in the Choir Loft.
The Peragallo organ is of three manual and pedals, containing 38 ranks of pipework with a total of 2296 speaking pipes. With tonal-design by John Peragallo III, the outstanding placement of the organ casework on the central axis of the church projects the tonal resources of the instrument evenly and effectively throughout the nave.
The Grand-Orgue contains the Principal chorus and is positioned high in the casework. A complete Cornet decompose of flutes is also available. A Flute Harmonique, scaled in the Cavaille-Coll tradition, provides a beautiful solo voice while the chours reeds serve to cap the division. The Postif is enclosed in the lower left portion of the casework. This expressive division includes a secondary Principal chorus to serve as a foil to the Grand-Orgue. The Flutes Celestes provide a soft velvety quality so useful in worship. The Recit is located int he lower right side of the casework – positioned and designed to accompany the choir in the right transept area. Large pomposa scaled strings and a full reed chorus provide the warmth and power to properly support choral music. The Pedale piperwork is within and directly behind the facade and is supplemented by a small number of digitally sampled (non-reed) stops for reasons of space. The crowning jewel of the instrument is the Trompette en chamade.
This set of 49 flared reeds contains Willis style shallots and is located high in the casework above the baldachnio and provides the organist with a powerful sound for fanfare and processional music.
The majestic casework – the design of Fran Peragallo – serves as a subtle backdrop to the main altar with its gold toned facade pipework. It is of finished red oak with hand-carved pipe shades inspired by elements of the filial crown of the baldachino.
The organ in the Choir loft was build by the Roche Organ Company, a Massachusetts-based firm operating from 1967 to the early 2000’s. Built in 1983, this is the instrument’s third home. It is in the Baroque style, with 11 ranks over 2-manuals and pedals under mechanical action. Thanks to the generosity of the congregation at St. Theresa’s, the organ was installed here in 2022.
