American firm of organ builders. It was founded in South Boston, Massachusetts, in 1901 by Ernest M. Skinner (1866-1961). He improved the ‘Pitman’ windchest, still used in electro-pneumatic-action organs, and developed organ stops imitating orchestral instruments. His firm merged with the organ department of the Aeolian Co. in 1931 (Skinner withdrew c1933) and continued to rise in popularity, moving away from orchestral tonal practices. It closed in 1973. Among its organs are those at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco (1934), the Mother Church, Boston (1952), Riverside Church, New York (1955), and the Kennedy Center, Washington, dc(1969).
