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The Vocalion Organ

The Vocalion Organ. A Historical Overview. Roots in England with James Baille Hamilton Introduced In Worcester, MA. 1885 Hamlton Vocalion Mfg. Co. 1886 Mason & Risch New York-Worcester 1890 Aeolian Ownership 1903 Demise 1910.

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The Vocalion Organ

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  1. The Vocalion Organ • A Historical Overview. • Roots in England with James Baille Hamilton • Introduced In Worcester, MA. 1885 • Hamlton Vocalion Mfg. Co. 1886 • Mason & Risch New York-Worcester 1890 • Aeolian Ownership 1903 • Demise 1910

  2. Special Features of VocalionsThat Sets Them Apart From All Others • Vocalions operate on pressure/positive wind • Reeds are large scaled, for the most part. • All reeds of a particular note are winded (speak) from a common channel as in a pipe organ with slider chests • All stops are fitted with qualifying chambers (tubes) of differing dimensions based upon a particular sound desired. • Tone holes can be opened or closed at will

  3. Attributes of Special Features • Pressure generated tone projects from the organ case. Suction generated tone remains “localized”. • Large scaled reeds in conjunction w/QTs • Produce broad-bodied tonal effects. • Manipulation of tone holes makes valid “regulation” possible. • Reeds on a common channel are speech synchronized.

  4. A Tracker Actioned Instrument • Large scaled reeds require a chest that is wider than the keyboard. • Typical pump organs are of key-scale design. Valves are acted upon via pitman rods located beneath the keys. • Vocalions utilize a traditional backfall mechanism to spread the key scale to that of the chest. Connections are via trackers.

  5. Musical Values • The long note pallets and associated square rail produce the authentic “pluck” that is characteristic of mechanical actioned pipe organs. • Diverse and diffused tonal egress as well as variety of sound make for valid registrational changes. • Octave Coupler brightens the overall sound. • Composition pedals allow crescendo/diminuendo.

  6. The Vocalion Awakening • My first Vocalion Experience, age 11 at Elks Memorial Service in Troy, NY. 1949 • Repair of 17 rank at age 23, Stephentown, NY.1961 • Acquisition of 9 rank Vocalion from a farmer’s porch. 1985 • Stephentown Vocalion revisited and restored for new owner in 1989

  7. The Vocalion Group • More Vocalions came to COC for restoration. Calls from out of town seeking help. • Rockwood Vocalion on Cape Cod and personal acquisition of my Vocalion in 2004 posed a question. How many were there and where are the extant ones? • The Vocalion Group was formed in Nov 05.

  8. Sources of Information • Existing lists from COC, Keith Williams,Jim Tyler and Jim Bratton. • Volunteer info from England, Holland, Germany and Australia. • Periodicals and advertisements. • Unsolicited Emails

  9. Status Quo and Where to Go? • There have been 283 Vocalions identified since the founding of the Vocalion Group. • Lowest number is 546; highest is 7420 • We will keep it alive until? • Info remains for someone else to develop as more information is uncovered in the future.

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