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 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.
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
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
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. |