Foley-Baker’s total rebuild of the Boston Symphony’s Skinner in 2004 addressed the need for more wind of higher pressure. The enlarged Bombarde division, all-new high pressure Solo, plus the new and enormous scale Pedal 32′ Open needed air and lots of it.
Besides the rebuilt and wonderfully reliable Spencer in the basement, two more blowers had to be placed in a shaft directly behind the stage left wall…audibly close to both the orchestra and the audience. A special dual-blower arrangement, enclosed in equally special silencing boxes gave all the wind necessary without a sound to be heard.
