Leek Pipe Organ Co

Thank you to James Leek and his team of technicians for their professionalism, service and care for our organ at First Presbyterian Church of Willoughby. It is a pleasure to be working with such a knowledgeable and dedicated group of people. They always arrived on time, took the time to explain what they were doing, and finished this summer’s project on schedule. I look forward to an ongoing relationship with Leek Pipe Organ Company for the care of our organ.

Mr. Leek refurbished a small, 2-manual unit lpipe organ in Elyria, OH. The organ was built solidly, but routine wear and tear over many decades called for rebuilding. The organ had not played for years. Pipes were in a small attic space that spoke directly into carpeting . There was conversation about rebuilding it as it was, relocating the organ to where it could speak directly into the church, the suitabilty of the crampt attic space, installing a positiv in the sanctuary space --- buying a used, freestanding organ, etc.

Mr. Leek was chosen for the rebuildiing job because of his infectious joy at doing his craft and his flexibility and imagination in rebuilding an attic organ in stages. implementing repairs incrementally as funds came in . The piano was handy when the console was in his shop.

Mr. Leek attended all requested meetings , was honest in his assessments,. Leek gave several presentations to church committees and congregational meetings.. He gave solid prices and durations needed to get a job done. It is likely that this refurbishing cost the church more overall because donatiions came in over several years vs having money to rebuild the organ all at once.. He met often with pastor and organis who efffectively served as the whole organ committee..

The church did not form an organ committee. Looking back, this would have helped the congregation and several committees understand organ mechaniics, the name, shahpe, sound and purpose of stops, organ placement, and the concept of unification. Unfamiliarity with the pipe organ arose whten Mr. Leek presented bids for work. There was a steep learning curve for what bids meant, what they were buying.. An organ committee could have helped.

Leek has a reputation in the organ community for quality work that is fairly priced. I was organist during this rebuilding. I had opportunities to suggest adding useed, small color stops. My hope was reducing unification infor congregational singing, increasing color choices for literatue, and atttracting future organists.

Leek added a combination action to the console and rebuilt the chimes. He wrested chimes from the attic and into the sanctuary.. People loved it.

P.S.
I would not be involved again in any organ project unles a comittee were formed. It is the committee that spreads the wor throughout the congregation d about what is learned, what organs out there sound like,, the power of organ placement, the power of choruses for leading hymns.
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Chris Trunk,retired, member of Cleveland AGO

James Leek is very accommodating and easy to work with. Being a small church, it took us a few years to raise the funds needed to complete the reburnishing of our pipe organ. He agreed to work out a long-term repair schedule in phases to match our funding activities. The work they did has been outstanding. They obviously care about their work quality. Some of the people who worked on our organ attended our organ concert dedication event. I highly recommend them.

The organist at St Martin's Episcopal Church in Chagrin Falls, OH was delighted with the service provided by Leek's technicians. She described them as professional, knowledgeable and passionate about organs. The technicians took time to show her the tuning techniques and were perfectionists.

The St. Martin's community thanks all the Leek employees for their fine service and work.

The service we receive from the people of Leek Pipe Organ Company is consistently excellent. They are very responsive to our concerns and work diligently to resolve any issues with our pipe organ. They are respectful, thoughtful and pleasant. We are pleased to entrust extensive organ renovations and ongoing maintenance to this fine company.