
Jonathan
Ambrosino, organ critic, reviewing the Texas A&M organ for Choir & Organ magazine
"Some
organbuilders set trends where others follow. But some builders don't
seem to pay much attention to that sort of thing, instead working out
personal solutions to musical beliefs and building organs as a result.
Charles Kegg seems to fit this mold, for while his approach could be
considered mainstream, it is no less personal for being so..... (Concerning borrowing,)divisions
are divisions and stops are stops, and any extensions should be viewed
solely as a convenience, almost as stop-specific couplers. One senses
that in all but Kegg's smallest organs, removing the extension would
still yield a responsible core ensemble....Many modern organs start out with
engaging color, only to conclude at a
plain, almost predictable ensemble... The
reverse can be found here, where the calm start has a more dramatic and
textured conclusion, in an organ finished to a clear plan and with
evident care."
Fred
Swann, Concert Artist
"...you have no superiors in the business, and precious few equals..."
Jim
Gladden, Organ Committee Chair,
First United Methodist Church, Winnsboro, SC
".....It is truly a pleasure to work with such perfectionists as
yourselves. .....The Kegg organ has exceeded our expectations...... The
congregation is singing with gusto and the choir has achieved a higher
level of musical performance and confidence...."
Pastor
Larry W. Speilman, Grace
Lutheran Church, Cleveland Heights, OH
"...I watched you work and believe you are a true artist. I
appreciate your depth of feeling for the importance of sacred music in
the worship of God. Your ability to communicate is also exceptional as
is your availability. Thank you once again."
Robert
Sullivan, Organist and
Director of Music/Liturgy, St. John the Baptist Church, Canton, OH
"...The rich sound constantly reminds me of an English Cathedral organ
which is EXACTLY what I wanted......The balance, warmth of the tone and
splendor of sound is breathtaking! I love this organ!..... I have been
overwhelmed and pleased by the reaction of our parishioners. They are
very proud of our new organ, and constantly tell me how much they
appreciate the many different sounds they hear during their weekly
worship.....Thank you for guiding our Organ Committee through this
monumental journey..."
Norma
Orr, Organ Committee Chair,
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Winfield, KS
"...Your integrity, expertise and experience along with your ability to
work well with our congregation has made the organ project extremely
enjoyable and rewarding..."
Dr.
Edwin Rieke, Director of Music, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, San
Antonio, TX, new console
"Just to let you know once again (hope you are not tiring of the
praise!) how thrilled I am with the console. It is a joy to
play, from the keyboards, the pedalboard, and everything being where
you expect it to be. Needless to say, the workmanship is
flawless.....I also appreciate the timeliness with which the
installation took place. I can't believe we were only without the
organ one Sunday......Thanks again for everything.
Dr.
Ray Keck, President, Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX
"Like a birth in the family, a new organ fills the community with
expectation, optimism, and joy. Today, like a family grateful for a
trouble-free birth, we recognize that this project was from the first
somehow marvelously blessed to be in the hands of Kegg Pipe Organ
Builders. "I will be in Laredo on April 24, 2006. The organ will be
done by late June,' Charles Kegg promised the anxious organ committee
in the fall of 2003. And it was.
Voicing is rich and full, a strategy to exploit the marvelous acoustics
in the hall. Visually, the organ is nothing short of spectacular."
Dr.
David Heller, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, consultant for
Texas A&M University, Laredo, TX
"...After
careful study and analysis of the proposals submitted, TAMIU
awarded the contract to Kegg Pipe Organ Builders of Ohio because of the
firm’s innovative tonal design, the manner in which the proposal met
our criteria, and the potential impact that such an instrument would
have on the public. The end result has surpassed our
expectations!.....As an artist, I can honestly state that this organ is
one of the most flexible and musically satisfying instruments I have
ever played. Each stop carries its weight, and each stop does what the
drawknob tells you. The balance between the divisions is so finely
honed that one can select registrations with complete ease. It was a
joy to conceive and put together an inaugural recital that combined the
works of Hancock, Bach, Franck, Duruflé, and Phillips with more
non-traditional repertoire by Lefébure-Wely, Ramón Noble,
and Edward Elgar. And if all of that were not enough, the design of the
console and the operating system for the combination action (one of the
most user friendly systems I have seen to date) made the entire
experience of recital preparation and performance a
breeze...."