New Arrivals
With the many components of Opus 1 gathering in the shop, we are settling into our new space and expanding our team to meet the work ahead.
Plans for several additional organs are well on their way to being realized and we continue looking for people with passion and skill to contribute in the shop. As our three new arrivals show, there are a variety of skills and backgrounds that are needed to build organs. Check out the Organ Builder and Apprenticeship pages to see the career opportunities available.
Christian Metzler
Organ Builder, Voicer, Designer
Abbey Organ Builders is committed to passing on the techniques and traditions of Pasi Organ Builders to the next generation of organ builders. In October, we took an important step toward realizing this future with the arrival of Christian Metzler in Collegeville.
Christian's journey as an organ builder began in his native Austria with the renowned firm Rieger Orgelbau. After completing his apprenticeship at Rieger, Christian moved to the United States, where he worked alongside Martin Pasi on the construction of the iconic cathedral organ in Omaha, Nebraska. Christian returned to Europe, where he worked with Orgelbau Wech in southern Germany before spending time in Palestine as an independent organ builder. In 2010 he returned to Rieger, voicing organs from South Africa to Scandinavia to East Asia, including several notable cathedral and concert hall instruments. Christian has developed a particular expertise in the design and construction of free reed stops.
With his unique blend of traditional organ building skills and progressive innovation, Christian will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Abbey Organ Builders. We are excited to welcome Christian and his family to our community.
Br. Benedict Leuthner, O.S.B.
Business Advisor
Br. Benedict is the Senior Business Advisor for Abbey Woodworking and Abbey Organ Builders. Prior to this role, he served as the Treasurer for the Order of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s Abbey for 28 years, where he was responsible for overseeing finances, investments, and the management of the Abbey’s physical plant and land operations.
As a hobby, Br. Benedict enjoys planting and nurturing trees in the Abbey Arboretum, which will be used by Abbey Woodworkers and Organ Builders (in 60-80 years).
Zaida Carpenter
Apprentice
Zaida Carpenter began her apprenticeship at Abbey Organ Builders in early January. Hailing from a small farm in Wisconsin, she is the third of six children. Zaida’s passion for music and her desire to work with her hands naturally led her to the world of organ building.
Our apprenticeship program offers a unique blend of hands-on experience and formal education over three years, designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to enter the field of pipe organ building. Apprentices receive stipends, benefits, room, and board as they learn the craft. This distinctive program is made possible through the support of Saint John’s Abbey and generous donors who share a commitment to educate the next generation of organ builders.
Postscript: Pictured above are scenes from the past month in the Abbey Woodshop.