After several years of planning, installation of the new choir organ by the Vorarlberg-based company “Rieger Orgelbau” began in November 2023 in two opposite side niches of the high choir. We were able to realize this magnificent project primarily with the help of a private donor.

Following the recent renovation of our Michael organ and the addition of a side organ (2011), the choir organ makes it even clearer than before that church music is not merely decoration or accompaniment to a church service, but – as the Second Vatican Council states – “a necessary and integral part of the solemn liturgy” (SC 112).

The new instrument can be played both from the main organ and from a mobile console near the choir stalls. This means that our numerous ensembles and soloists, who increasingly perform in front of the Leuchtenberg monument and in the high choir, can be accompanied adequately. Due to acoustic delays, this was previously only possible to a limited extent and was not musically satisfactory.

The choir organ opens up new possibilities for liturgical celebrations in the high choir. A major advantage is that this “space” can be directly filled with sound. In addition, our organists are not only “visible” but also closer to the celebrating congregation. Above all, the new choir organ ensures even sound coverage of the large church interior of St. Michael's. This, in turn, has a direct impact on the congregation and cantor singing, which can be better guided musically by the organist.

After fine-tuning the sound (intonation) in February/March 2024, the new instrument was ceremoniously inaugurated on “White Sunday,” April 7, 2024, during High Mass and presented to visitors to St. Michael's as part of a week-long series of organ concerts.