The Syracuse Chapter of The American Guild of Organists Presents
Valentina Huang Organist
winner of 2024 Poister Competition
In Recital on M.P. Möller, Opus 5827 (1930)
Plymouth Congregational Church
232 East Onondaga Street, Syracuse, NY 13202
Friday, June 6, 2025, 7:00pm
PROGRAM
Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937)
Organ Symphony No. 6 in G minor, Op. 42, No. 2
I.
Louis Vierne (1870-1937)
Organ Symphony No. 3, in F sharp minor, Op. 28
II.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Prelude and Fugue in E flat Major, BWV 552
Herbert Howells (1892-1983)
Psalm Prelude, Op. 32, No. 1
Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) (arr. Lamare)
Danse Macabre
Rachel Laurin (1961-2023)
Organ Symphony, Op. 36, No. 1
IV. Toccata
Scherzo Cantilène III. Allegro
Valentina Huang
Biography
Believing the magic and the joy that music can bring into peoples’ lives, Valentina Qishan Huang is a passionate performer, collaborator, and teacher. Her most-recent awards are the first prizes from the Poister Organ Competition and the Fort Wayne National Organ Playing Competition in 2024. As a young advocate of the instrument, Valentina seeks to fuse her cultural heritage into this extraordinary instrument, through the exploration of new music on the organ. Her most recent project is East meets Pipes, in which she commissioned two organ works that are inspired by Ancient Chinese poetry and art.
Valentina’s organ journey began at her undergraduate alma mater, Wesleyan College. Being one of the recipients of the E. Power Biggs scholarship in 2019, she is keen to discover and bring out the best sound from each unique organ. After gaining a master degree in piano performance from Peabody Conservatory in 2021, Valentina furthered her organ study at Indiana University with Dr. Janette Fishell for a second master degree.
She has held numerous recitals, including performing at the Franz Liszt Society, All Saints Episcopal Church, Christ Lutheran Church and more. Valentina strives to become a well-rounded musician not only as a professional performer, but also an inspiring educator. With sophisticated teaching experience, she takes joy in nurturing the talents of her students and guiding them on their own musical journeys. Through her warm and encouraging teaching style, she empowers her students to find their unique voice and express themselves through music.
In addition to her musical pursuits, Valentina finds fulfillment in serving as a church musician at various churches, where she feels a deep sense of connection and community. Currently she is a doctoral student under the tutelage of Prof. Ken Cowan at the Shepherd School of Music and is the Cathedral Organist at Christ Church Cathedral in Houston.
updated May 2025
Plymouth Congregational Church
M.P. Möller, Opus 5827
Founded in 1875 in Hagerstown, Maryland, the M.P. Möller Pipe Organ Company became one of the most prolific and influential American organ builders of the 20th century. At its height, the company constructed more than 12,000 instruments, ranging from modest chapel organs to grand cathedral installations. By the 1930s, Möller had firmly established itself as a leader in organ design, praised for its reliability, tonal versatility, and innovations in console technology.
The 1920s - 1930s were a particularly significant era for Möller. This period marked the culmination of the American Symphonic organ tradition, where tonal richness, orchestral color, and dynamic range were prioritized. Möller’s instruments from this time often featured lush string stops, entire instrument under expression, and robust foundational tone, all hallmarks of the period’s tonal ideals. These organs were built to fill large civic spaces, churches, and auditoriums with grandeur and nuance—bridging European traditions with uniquely American innovations.
Mechanically, organs from this era reflected both craftsmanship and modernization. Möller was an early adopter of electro-pneumatic action, which allowed for more flexible console placement and complex stop control. The company’s meticulous attention to construction and its commitment to musicality made its 1930s instruments enduring and beloved by generations of organists.
Today, surviving Möller organs from this period are cherished not only for their historical value but also for their warm, expressive sound. They serve as vital reminders of an era when American organ building was at its artistic peak—when craftsmanship met ambition to create instruments that could move both heart and soul.
Installed in 1930, the M.P. Möller pipe organ, Opus 5827, at Plymouth Congregational Church stands as a remarkable example of American organ craftsmanship from the early 20th century. This four-manual instrument, comprising 43 ranks and 3,131 pipes, was designed to embody the symphonic organ ideals of its era, offering a rich palette of tonal colors suitable for both liturgical accompaniment and concert performance.
The organ’s design, typical of the symphonic style, included a variety of expressive stops, such as Harp, Celestes, and Vox Humanas, reflecting the aesthetic prevalent in American organ building during the 1920s and 1930s. These features allowed organists to emulate the dynamic range and tonal nuances of an orchestra, enhancing the worship experience and musical offerings of the church.
Over the years, the instrument has undergone careful maintenance and updates to preserve its historical integrity while incorporating modern advancements. Notably, in 2012, the organ console was completely rebuilt and digitized, ensuring its continued reliability and versatility for contemporary use. Further mechanical updates were carried out by Kerner & Merchant Pipe Organ Builders since, enhancing the organ’s performance capabilities while respecting its original character.
Today, the M.P. Möller Opus 5827 remains a central component of Plymouth Congregational Church’s musical life. Its enduring presence not only enriches the church’s worship services but also serves as a tangible link to the rich tradition of American organ building, inviting both congregants and visitors to experience the profound impact of this historic instrument.
Kerner&MerchantPipeOrganBuilders
M.P. Möller, Opus 5827
originally installed in its present location, 1930 built in Hagerstown, Maryland
Kerner & Merchant Pipe Organ Builders console rebuilt in 2012 changes or additions made in 2012 rebuild indicated in bold
ORGAN SPECIFICATION
4 manuals, 43 ranks, 3,131 pipes, 25 chimes, 49 harp bars
Great (73 note chest compass) Enclosed
Double Open Diapason First Open Diapason
Second Open Diapason Doppelfloete*
Claribel Flute
Viola D’ Gamba* Gemshorn*
Octave [Ext. 8’ SEcond opEn diapaSon] Flute Harmonic* Mixture
Trumpet
Chimes G² - G⁴ [Ec.]
Harp C²
Celesta C¹ Tremolo
8’ 4’
Great Unison Off Great Super
* shared between Great and Choir
Swell (73 note chest compass) Enclosed
16’ 8’ 8’
8’
8’ 8’ 8’ 8’ 4’ 4’ 2 2/3’ 2’ III
16’ 8’ 8’ 8’
16’ 8’ 4’
Bourdon
Open Diapason
Gedeckt [Ext.]
Viole D’ Orchestre
Salicional
Vox Celeste
Flauto Dolce
Flute Celeste
Principal [Ext. 8’ opEn diapaSon]
Orchestral Flute [Ext.]
Flute Twelfth
Flautino [Ext.]
Mixture
Bassoon
Cornopean
Oboe [Ext. 16’ baSSoon]
Vox Humana
Tremolo
Swell Sub
Swell Unison Off
Swell Super
Choir (73 note chest compass) Enclosed
8’ 8’ 8’ 8’ 8’ 8’ 8’ 4’ 4’ 2’ 8’ 8’ 8’ 4’
16’ 8’ 4’
English Open Diapason [gt. 16’ doublE op. dia.]
Doppelfloete*
Viola D’ Gamba*
Gemshorn*
Concert Flute
Dulciana
Unda Maris
Solo Flute* [Ext. 8’ concErt flutE]
Dulcet [Ext.]
Piccolo* [Ext. gr. 4’ Harmonic flutE]
Clarinet
French Horn
Harp
Celesta
Tremolo
Choir Sub
Choir Unison Off
Choir Super
97 pipes 73 pipes 73 notes
pipes 73 pipes 73 pipes
pipes 73 pipes 61 notes
notes
notes
notes
pipes
pipes 73 pipes 61 notes 73 pipes
61 notes 73 notes 73 notes
notes
pipes
pipes
pipes 61 notes
notes
notes
pipes
pipes
Solo (73 note chest compass) Enclosed
8’ 8’ 8’ 8’ 4’ 2 2/3’ 2’ 1 3/5’ 8’ 4’ 16’ 8’ 4’
Stentorphone
Gross Gamba
Gamba Celeste
Hohl Flute
Hohl Pfeife [Ext.]
Hohl Flute Nazard [EXT.]
Hohl Pfeife [EXT.]
Tierce [New]
Tuba Mirabilis
Tuba Clarion
Tremolo
Solo Sub
Solo Unison Off
Solo Super
73 pipes
73 pipes
61 pipes
85 pipes
61 notes
61 notes
61 notes
61 pipes
73 pipes
61 pipes
Echo (73 note chest compass) (duplexed-Choir and Solo) Enclosed
8’ 8’ 8’ 8’ 8’
Echo Flute
Vox Angelica
Muted Viole
Viole Celeste
Vox Humana
Chimes G² - G⁴
Tremolo
Pedal (32 note compass)
32’ 16’ 16’ 16’ 16’ 8’ 8’ 8’ 8’ 8’ 4’ 4’ 16’ 16’ 8’ 8’ 4’
Resultant
First Open Diapason
Second Open Diapason [gt.]
Bourdon
Lieblich Gedeckt [SW.]
Octave [16’ firSt opEn diapaSon]
Principal [gt 16’ doublE opEn diapaSon]
Flute [Ext. 16’ bourdon]
Hohl Flute [So.]
Violoncello [gt.]
Principal [gt 16’ doublE opEn diapaSon]
Hohl Pfeife [So.]
Tuba
Bassoon [SW.]
Tuba
Oboe [SW.]
Tuba
Chimes G¹ - G³ [Ec.]
73 pipes
73 pipes
73 notes
61 pipes
73 pipes
25 tubes
32 notes 44 pipes 32 notes 44 pipes 32 notes 32 notes
notes
notes
notes
notes 32 notes
notes 32 notes 32 notes
notes 32 notes
Couplers (listed as on the coupler rail)
Pedal:
Great:
Swell:
Choir:
Great to Pedal, Swell to Pedal, Choir to Pedal, Solo to Pedal Great to Pedal 4, Swell to Pedal 4, Solo to Pedal 4
Swell to Great, Choir to Great, Solo to Great, Swell to Great 4, Swell to Great 16, Choir to Great 4, Choir to Great 16, Solo to Great 4, Solo to Great 16, Pedal to Great,
Choir to Swell, Solo to Swell, Choir to Swell 4, Solo to Swell 4, Solo to Swell 16
Swell to Choir, Solo to Choir, Swell to Choir 4, Swell to Choir 16, Solo to Choir 4, Solo to Choir 16
Reversibles
Thumb Buttons and Toe studs: Great to Pedal and Sforzando Thumb Buttons: Organsit Programmable 1, 2, 3, 4
Combinations
General settings
Swell: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (thumb) duplicated (toe studs)
Great: 7, 8, 9, 10 (thumb) duplicated (toe studs) 11, 12 (thumb)
Solo to Pedal, Swell to Pedal, Great to Pedal, Choir to Pedal, SFZ (thumb)
Divisional settings
Great: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (thumb)
Choir: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (thumb)
Swell: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (thumb)
Solo: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (thumb)
Echo: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (thumb)
Pedal: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 (thumb) duplicated (toe studs)
Expression
Five control pedals (left to right):
Echo Expression | Solo Expression | Swell Expression | Great & Choir Expression (Drawknob: all swells to GR./CH.) | Crescendo
