Large pipe organ in east Valley gets new bells and whistles

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (KSAZ) - The traditional organ is no stranger to the church, but in Scottsdale, this state-of-the-art instrument is one of the largest organs in the Southwest, and it sits stage left of the altar at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church.

New bells and whistles were recently added to the high-tech organ.

"We added harp, chimes, and bird also known as a nightingale, or on this organ, parajitos," Jeremy Peterman said. "I noticed that the harp and chimes existed as a draw knob, but did not exist physically and since then, I've been dreaming about having those sounds. And, we also added expression shades, which through use of a shoe down there will open and close blinds made out of wood to make the sound louder or softer."

Peterman, the church organist, earned his doctorates in musical arts at Arizona State University. Passionate about the power music plays, the musician says the real passion is enhancing the worship experience for church parishioners.

"I hear an enthusiasm for this organ simply because of the number of people who stay after the service for the post-lude," he said. "If they're just sitting there doing the status quo and nothing exciting, uplifting to the congregation, then they're really going to either lose interest or ride on a wave of feeling the worship experience that an organ can offer."

Peterman says the sound of the organ's music is truly a work of art.