ORGAN

Prominent in many people’s memories of Hill Auditorium is the Frieze Memorial Organ, installed in 1913, after being moved from old University Hall. It was purchased by the Regents after its debut as the official festival organ of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Built by the Detroit firm Farrand & Votey, it was named for Henry Simmons Frieze, professor of Latin language and literature in the latter part of the 19th century and first president of the University Musical Society. That organ was replaced by a new organ in 1928, built by the famous Skinner Organ Company of Boston. Some pipes and parts of the original organ were retained, and the new or second organ continued to be called the Frieze Memorial Organ, named after Latin Professor Henry Simmons Frieze, the first director of the University Musical Society. This organ was itself rebuilt and reconditioned in 1954–55. The magnificent decorative pipes that serve as a backdrop for performances were repainte in 1985 with a blue color scheme that was original to the Expo and to University Hall, but not original to Hill Auditorium. When the organ was moved to Hill Auditorium the display pipes were painted a gold-bronze as part of the Arts & Crafts expression.