Month: October 2014

Merrill Auditorium was empty as Ray Cornils sat at the console of the Kotzschmar Organ. He pushed his glasses to the bridge of his nose, stretched his arms over the keys and paused ever so briefly. With an understated flourish, he flexed his muscular fingers, and the pipe organ sprang to life, filling the hall … Read more

Ray Cornils, one of only two municipal organists in the nation, had a memorable birthday at the Friends of Kotzschmar Organ (FOKO) reception celebrating the historic organ’s return after reconstruction. Mike Foley, whose firm Foley-Baker Inc., took the 102-year-old, 50-ton instrument apart and rebuilt it over the past two years, took the liberty of playing … Read more

Portland’s Merrill Auditorium has hosted several great performers with a variety of talents. Perhaps none are as diverse as it’s Kotzschmar Organ that has called Merrill home for over 100 years and that recently received a major face lift. The organ was disassembled and sent away to Washington two years ago to be renovated. The … Read more