APOBA Members

Biographical Info

Designers and builders of artistically-conceived pipe organs for churches, educational institutions, performing arts spaces, and residences.

Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, Ltd., was founded in Lake City, Iowa, by Lynn A. Dobson in 1974. We have built almost one hundred new instruments for churches, universities, concert halls, and residences, from Long Island to Los Angeles, and in 2013 completed our first overseas commission, for Merton College in Oxford, U.K. Upcoming projects include new instruments for Dubuque, Iowa; Chatham, Massachusetts; and Sydney, Australia. In addition, we have restored a dozen historic instruments, rebuilt or restored several dozen electric action instruments, and provide tuning and maintenance services for clients in the upper Midwest.

Our goal in every commission we undertake is to design and construct pipe organs of surpassing beauty, flexibility, reliability and artistic merit. Our approach draws on a deep understanding of the common threads that connect the many historic organ traditions. As a result, our instruments have an evident integrity that honors the literature of many eras. Further, as something more than an assemblage of historic parts, our instruments not only render with fidelity century-old compositions but also stimulate the improviser and present-day composers, a thing that is too often lost today in the search for mere historical authenticity.

Under the direction of president John Panning, the firm employs 21 talented and experienced organbuilders in its workshop in western Iowa. Dobson hallmarks are thoughtful and versatile specifications, beautiful voicing, sensitive mechanical and electric key actions, creative case designs, sound business practices, and on-time deliveries. Meticulous craftsmanship is evident at every turn.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss the many possibilities that an organ project presents to you. We often find that the instrument that results from this collaboration is different—and better—than what either of us had separately envisioned at the outset. Please let us know how we can be of service to you.