Crystal Cathedral organ

The Hazel Wright Organ is a major pipe organ installation in Christ Cathedral with 293 ranks and 17,106 pipes arranged throughout the building. Two separate consoles with five keyboards each allow organists to control all sections of the instrument from different positions.

This instrument was created in 1982 by combining a 1962 Aeolian-Skinner organ from New York's Avery Fisher Hall with a 1977 Ruffatti organ. The Fratelli Ruffatti company assembled these two separate instruments into one unified installation.

The instrument's sound fills the entire cathedral from multiple directions, making performances feel surrounded by music rather than heard from a single point.

Visitors can experience a modern restoration of this historical instrument, which underwent complete rebuilding from 2014 to 2022 in Italy. The renovation incorporated updated technical components while improving protection from climate and humidity changes within the cathedral.

The organ connects to the Arvella Schuller carillon, allowing bell and pipe sounds to work together and create a fuller sound experience in the cathedral.

GPS coordinates: 33.78740,-117.89893

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:03