André Thomas was born in Ster-Francorchamps in 1939.
After training as a cabinetmaker, he turned towards organ building in 1957 and worked for 7 years in a regional enterprise.
In February 1965 he started his own workshop in his native village, while making sure of continuing his training by study trips abroad.
In 1982, the business became a limited liability company and since the 1st of April 2000 has been directed by Dominique Thomas, the oldest son.
The Thomas organ company now has a staff of 14 and carry out all the stages of the construction or restoration of organs: keyboards, cases, wood carvings, soundboards, bellows, action, wooden and metal pipes, voicing…
In 37 years, 116 new instruments have left this workshop, which draws its inspiration from old instruments for the conception and construction of its organs.
The most memorable realisations are:
- 1989, St Pierre, Lessines, II/Ped, 30 stops
- 1990, St Amand, Waregem, III/Ped, 54 stops
- 1992, St Remacle, Spa, II/Ped, 26 stops
- 1993, Nouan-le-Fuzelier (F), III/Ped, 18 stops
- 1994, Mürringen, II/Ped, 13 stops
- 1995, Ste. Marguerite, Liège, I/Ped, 10 stops
- 1996, Abbey of Leffe, II/Ped, 25 stops
- 1997, Recht, II/Ped, 17 stops
- 1997, St. Pierre, Blois (F), II/Ped, 14 stops
- 1998, Villers-la-Ville, II/Ped, 14 stops
- 1999, Kettenis, II/Ped, 18 stops
- 2001, Notre Dame d'Hurtebise, II/Ped, 15 stops
- 2001 Hachiville (L), II/P, 14 stops
- 2002, "La Cotellerie" BAZOUGERS (F), III/Ped., 23 stops.
- 2002, Gedinne (B): église N-D, II/Ped., 13 stops.
Several new instruments are now being built and more orders are coming in:
| Composition: | |
| - FLORENNES (Collégiale St. Gangulphe) | II/Ped, 12 stops |
| - HOOGSTRATEN (St. Katharinakerk) | II/pull-down pedal, 15 stops |
About forty restorations of 18th and 19th century organs have been carried out by the Thomas firm.
The most recent are:
- St Antoine, Thimister (Clerinx 1858), II/Ped, 17 stops
- St Sébastien, Olne (Comblain 1839), I/Ped, 10 stops
- St Pierre, Villers-le-Temple (Robustelly, 18th century), I/Ped, 10 stops
- St Sébastien, Stavelot (Korfmacher 1841), II/Ped, 26 stops
- Notre Dame du Finistère, Brussels (H. Loret 1848), III/Ped, 29 stops
- St Quentin, Wodecq (H. Loret 1841-42), II/Ped, 19 stops
- 2002: Basilique O.L.V. , Tongres (B) / J-B. Le Picard 1750-53 / IV/Ped. / 49 stops.
- 2002: St. Amanduskerk, SCHENDELBEKE (B) / P.-Ch. II Van Peteghem (1833) / I/Ped. accrochée / 9 stops.
Now being restored:
| Composition: | |
| - Tongeren (Tongres) Basilica organ in the 18th century Liège spirit (Le Picard, 1750-1753) | IV/Ped, 49 stops |
| - St. Cornelius, Meerdonck (Vereecken, 1863) | II/pulldown pedal, 17 stops |
| - St. Amandus, Schendelbeke (Van Peteghem, 1833) | I/pulldown pedal, 9 stops |
| - St. Stephanus, Walhorn (Eduard Müller, 1851) | II/Ped, 26 stops |
| - Collégiale St. Georges, Amay (Clerinx 1866) | II/Ped, 17 stops |
| - St. Trudo, Peer (Clerinx 1838-1846) | II/Ped, 17 stops |
We note in passing that the Thomas company was the only Belgian firm asked to tender for the construction of the new organ in the SS. Michel and Gudule Cathedral in Brussels.
© 2001 SPRL THOMAS