This is an ad hoc committee first convened when the Director of Music reported that Bloor Street’s 45 year old Casavant organ was in need of cleaning and re-leathering, a replacement of most of its moving parts (valves and bellows).

The four manual Casavant organ was completed in 1954 to replace its predecessor, destroyed in Bloor Street’s "Great Fire". It is a large well-built instrument voiced to the English Romantic tonal ideals of the time. A five-year restoration is currently underway, the work being carried out by Blair Batty Organ Builders of Simcoe, Ontario. The builder is taking the opportunity during the restoration to revoice some sections of the organ to produce a more exciting sound, while respecting the essential character of the instrument.

As of September, 2000, stage 4 is almost complete. Only the Pedal Division (stage 5) needs to be re-leathered. This means we are right on track according to our plans, and the congregation is to be congratulated for its support of this project. Once the re-leathering is all done, it is hoped that funds can be found to solid-state the console, and eventually add a few ranks of pipes to finally prepare the organ to lead the music at Bloor Street full-voiced into this new century.

See also Music Committee.