Despite a reputation for excellence in the fields of organ instruction and sacred music studies, the lack of a campus-area instrument that supports the academic and musical growth of the next generation of church musicians and organists has remained a critical issue for the School of Music. The opportunity to address this issue arose when St. Paul's Episcopal Church, an historic downtown parish, offered the free use of its new worship space, and any organ housed in it, to the ECU School of Music, community and region. The church engaged one of the country's leading acousticians, Dana Kirkegaard, to work with the liturgical design team, architect and organ builder so that the resulting room encourages creative, vibrant liturgy and possesses a superb acoustic of over 7 seconds which enhances both the sung word and instrumental music.

In 1996 East Carolina University's Chancellor and Vice Chancellor, the Dean of the School of Music, the Rector, Senior Warden and Junior Warden of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, signed a letter of agreement that outlined the church's commitment to share in perpetuity its new worship space, and the organ to be housed in it, with the university for lessons, practice and performance. The distinguished firm of C.B. Fisk of Gloucester, Massachusetts was chosen to build a three manual mechanical action organ that would incorporate elements of both the French and German Classical and Romantic schools of building. While the organ is designed to play the broadest possible range of repertoire, it will be especially sympathetic to Romantic tonal ideals.

Funding for The New Organ Project has been spearheaded by the East Carolina Musical Arts Education Foundation, a non-profit, 501 C 3 organization founded to provide an appropriate vehicle for collaborative ventures between the town of Greenville, "the "gown" of East Carolina University and the musical community of eastern North Carolina.

A contract for the organ was signed by St. Paul's on March 2, 2000, thereby placing the church in queue for what would become Fisk's Opus 126. The organ’s “Open Shop”  on January 22, 2005 drew nearly two hundred people to Gloucester to see and hear the partially constructed organ for the first time, all in the middle of one of New England’s worst snowstorms.   On February 20 two semi trucks arrived in Greenville and the unloading of Opus 126 was done by the parishioners of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church and Friends of the Fisk, accomplishing a safe unloading of the entire instrument in a record four hours.  Since that time the organ’s meticulous tonal finishing has been completed by a rotating team of Fisk artists whose work was completed in early October 2005.  

The dedication recitals were played by Professors Janette Fishell and Colin Andrews on November 4 & 6, 2005 before an estimated crowd of 1200.  Dr. Fishell has recently released the premiere recording of the organ, Pas de Dieu:  Music Sublime & Spirited, available on Loft Recordings.

The instrument stands as a testament to the broad base of support that this unique project has engendered. Two area trusts, however, must be singled out for special recognition.  In view of the extraordinary support of the James J. and Mamie Richardson Perkins, and Mildred Sheffield Wells Charitable Trusts, the C.B. Fisk, Opus 126 organ has been designated The Perkins and Wells Memorial Organ, a lasting tribute to those persons who placed such high importance upon the spiritual and educational welfare of the citizens of Pitt county. 

East Carolina University’s School of Music is grateful that the parish of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has pledged, in perpetuity, to share this amazing instrument with the academic community in order to give students, faculty, and guest artists the resource they need to bring the highest standards in organ performance and sacred music to our university, city and region.

View Technical Specifications for the Opus 126, C.B. Fisk (The Perkins, Wells Memorial Organ).

Donations to Opus 126
We are happy to announce that the ECMAEF has successfully concluded its fundraising campaign for Opus 126, thanks to further donations and pledges made since our last appeal in the Spring of 2005. Most recently, the Perkins and Wells Charitable Trusts have responded with a generous closing grant of a combined $36,000, bringing us to our final goal of 1.43 million dollars. Thank you to all who have contributed throughout the fundraising process!

Now that our organ is paid for, the ECMAEF will need help in order to fund the instrument's maintenance and the many exciting outreach and concert activities planned for the instrument. To become a 2005/2006 Friend of the Fisk contact Janette Fishell at andrewsj@mail.ecu.edu.