Carlson Organs started in 1956, when Leonard Carlson began restoring and building pipe organs in the northeast area churches, and across the country.

Our first three organ restorations included:

• the rebuilding of a 1902 Steere Organ
• a restoration of a 1892 Frank Beman Instrument
• an 1872 Votter Organ from Cleveland, Ohio

The company has built over 185 instruments. The smallest of them contains 2 ranks and 146 pipes for Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY. The largest is in the First Baptist Church, Rome, New York with 50 ranks and 2,600 pipes.

​The firm includes technicians, cabinetmakers, pipe voicers, and organ architects and engineers.

---

In Memorium - Leonard Carlson, MSM, Organ Builder

• Graduated from Susquehanna University - 1953
• Graduated from Union Theological Seminary, School of Sacred Music, 1955
• Fulbright Scholarship for study in Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany, 1955

Mr. Carlson has taught and lectured at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York, The College of St. Rose in Albany, New York, and The Crane School of Music, Potsdam State College located in Potsdam, New York.

He has worked on numerous organs throughout his career, and was frequently called to service instruments for performances by organists such as Fred Swann, Virgil Fox, Diane Bish, Hector Olivera, and many others.

​ Leonard passed away on October 24, 2024, at the age of 97, with his family by his side. Leonard left behind a legacy of hundreds of pipe organs, most still being used today.

---

Mark Carlson, Technician & President
Mark worked with his father, Leonard, for over 40 years. His expertise in drafting, woodworking and General Contracting provides the well-rounded skills needed to design and execute any organ project. He currently operates Carlson Organs, and performs most of the on-site calls and tuning.

---

Jason Comet, Sales Rep, Technician & Designer

• ​BM, Sacred Music from Westminster Choir College

​Jason has been in the church music field for over 25 years, having started at the age of 12. As an active church musician and performer, he is able to help churches of all musical styles and backgrounds develop a music ministry with their existing resources. His extensive career with various musical instrument companies pushes his knowledge of the technical and musical capabilities from acoustic pianos and wind-blown pipe organs to the modern synthesizer and digital organs.

As an educator, Jason has taught both piano and organ for both young and young-at-heart students. As a workshop leader, he has created various workshops for church music ministries; from choir leadership, music liturgy planning, pianists-turned-organists, clergy-music relationships, to praise band workshops.

Jason has performed in many of the world's famous venues from several NYC churches, the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ, as well as a choir tours through Italy and St. Peter's Basilica.

Jason also performs Hymn Festivals for churches of all sizes, as well as Silent Films and theater organ programs on the mighty theater organs of the movie palaces.

After apprenticing with Leonard Carlson for over a decade, Jason now focuses on the design and maintenance of the pipe organs in our portfolio, and is the Rodgers and Johannus digital organs dealer, as well as the representative for Frattelli Ruffatti organ builders of Padua, Italy, under the umbrella of Comet Organ Company.

Alfred Fedak, Organist & Consultant
​With many years of an illustrious career in church music, Alfred and his wife, Susan, live in the Albany area, having most recently served at Westminster Presbyterian in Capital Hill area, Albany, from 1990 - 2021. His long affiliation with Carlson Organs has included design & tonal consultant, service assistant, dedications and programs.

Visit Mr. Fedak’s website to learn about his extensive history and compositional library.
​

Home      AbouT