At Penn State’s Music School, it’s not “who” sits in the spotlight on stage but “what.”

Mark Ferraguto, Assistant Prof. of Musicology at PSU, said the campus is lucky to have an organ in the music department. 

“What’s cool about the “Esber Organ” is that it’s front and center on the stage, where as a lot of times when you go to church the organ sits behind you in a balcony,” Ferraguto said.

Installed in the early 1960’s this Holtkamp organ was designed especially for Esber Hall by Penn State alumni, class of 1938.

Ferraguto said from every angle it’s an awe-inspiring piece built for a multi-tasking musician.

“It’s a full body experience. So you’re watching a musician who is like usually turning pages, pulling out stops, playing with their feet, playing with their hands, usually on two keyboards at once,” Ferraguto said.

Next fall the school will renovate Esber hall and build a new recital area.

The new designs don’t include space for the organ, so now it is up for auction.

Ferraguto said its current value is about $350,000.

“We’re hoping that it can remain in tact and find a good home in a church or in a hall,” Ferraguto said.

But not before a fitting farewell.

On Tuesday, April 4th, a group of students and professors will play the organ, setting the stage for its final swan song.

Maeve Berry, a sophomore at PSU, said she’s honored to be part of the concert.

“I’m just glad that I got to play it before it left because it is a beautiful instrument,” Berry said.

She said each performance will show how versatile the instrument is.

“It’s definitely a opportunity to appreciate the instrument while it’s still here,” Berry said.

The concert is at 7:30 p.m. and it is free to the general public.