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Martin Scorsese, Honorary Chair of Friends of the Erben Organ

Updated: August 5, 2019 by admin

“Why preserve this glorious instrument? Because it is unique and irreplaceable…Listening to the transcendent sound of this 19th century American masterpiece will take us where we need to be.”
—Martin Scorsese

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Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We need your help to raise $2 million to keep this iconic national treasure alive.

Your financial support helps us fund the Erben’s restoration, as well as educational and performance programming for people of all ages.

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Donation Total: $100.00 One Time

A Community for Music and the Arts

The Friends of the Erben Organ (“FREO”) is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation dedicated to the restoration, preservation, and appreciation of the 1868 Henry Erben pipe organ and the 1859 Hall & Labagh pipe organ located in the Basilica of Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral, located in the NoLIta section of SoHo in Manhattan.

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About Us

The Erben organ is a living artistic and technological masterpiece. It represents the finest extant work of New York City organbuilder Henry Erben (1800-1884).

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Your financial support helps us fund the Erben’s restoration, as well as performance and educational programming around this American musical treasure.

Education

Our hands-on, minds-on education programs combine science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM). The organ is a magnificent amalgam of art and science.

A History of Music at the Basilica

There are few places in New York City that can claim such a wonderful, deep history of music making. When the Cathedral was built, it was located amid woodlands and fields. In 1815, the city had the cultural sophistication of a small colonial outpost, lagging far behind other cities in America, and it struggled for an artistic position that matched its burgeoning commercial might.

1868 Henry Erben pipe organ. Photo by Stefano Ukmar for The New York Times

Erben Organ featured in The New York Times Streetscapes column

Updated: July 21, 2020 by Lana Krakovskiy

We are excited to share the link to The New York Times feature from the 07/17/2020 Streetscapes column: At Old St. Pat’s, a History of Defiance by John Freeman Gill. Featured photo by Stefano Ukmar for… Read More

Henry Erben’s 220th birthday celebration in the organ loft

Updated: May 4, 2020 by Lana Krakovskiy

In what became an annual tradition, Friends of the Erben Organ celebrated Henry Erben’s 220th birthday in the loft, next to his masterwork, the 1868 pipe organ. We were delighted to meet everyone – guests filled… Read More

Erben organ in the Victorian Society New York’s Panorama newsletter

Updated: April 16, 2020 by Lana Krakovskiy

Friends of the Erben Organ are thrilled to share a feature by FREO Advisory Board member Eve M. Kahn in the Spring 2020 issue of Panorama, the semi-annual newsletter of the Victorian Society New York. Titled… Read More

Private Tours

Private tours and organ demonstrations are offered to people of all ages. People from all over the world continue to discover and love the distinct American sound of the Erben. While Jared plays, you can step inside the instrument for a behind-the-scenes look at this 19th-century pneumatic computer in action!

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Friends of the Erben Organ

Martin Scorsese, Honorary Chair of Friends of the Erben Organ

Organ Video