Winston-Salem has a unique history with respect to organs and is considered a center for tracker organs. While this may sound rather technical, spend time with local organists John and Margaret Mueller and it will quickly become “music to your ears.”

John, the former organ professor at Salem Academy and College and the North Carolina School of the Arts, is responsible and has been recognized for the mechanical action organ revival in the United States. Margaret is the former professor of organ and theory at Salem College.

During the early 20th century, organs featured electro-pneumatic action. Organ builders had moved away from the historical European and early American instruments with mechanical (tracker) key and stop action. With the revival, organ pipes were once again placed within the space where they would be heard. Because of the proximity, each key on the organ keyboard is mechanically connected to the mechanism that allows wind to enter the pipe when played.

The first modern tracker organ in the United States, a two manual Flentrop was placed into service in 1957 at Salem College.

A larger, three manual Flentrop tracker organ is located at the Salem Academy and College's Shirley Recital Hall. It was built in 1965. A three manual Holtkamp organ was also installed in 1965 and is located in the college's large concert hall, Hanes Auditorium.

One of the jewels in Winston-Salem's crown is a large, three manual C.B. Fisk, also mechanical action, which is located at the North Carolina School of the Arts. It was built in 1977.

In 2001, Wake Forest University restored and enlarged its 1957 four manual Möller organ, which resides in Wait Chapel.

The presence of organs is tied not only to educational institutions, but to churches as well. Below is a sampling of outstanding church organs.

• Ardmore United Methodist Church, 630 South Hawthorne Road, has a two manual Noack organ built in 1978.
• Augsburg Lutheran Church, 845 West Fifth Street, installed a three manual Casavant Frères organ in 1968. In 1998, it was restored by Orgues Létourneau of Canada.
• Calvary Moravian Church, 600 Holly Avenue, features a 1922 Hook and Hastings organ. It is a two manual.
• Centenary United Methodist Church, 646 West Fifth Street, maintains a large, four manual Austin organ. Built in 1931, it was restored in 1963.
• First Presbyterian Church, 300 North Cherry Street, features a three manual Schlicker organ. It was dedicated in 1958 in the church's previous location and then later moved to the new church.
• Friedland Moravian Church, 2750 Friedland Church Road, has a small, two manual Kney organ.
• Reynolda Presbyterian Church, 2200 Reynolda Road, has a large, three manual Flentrop which was installed in 1961.
• St. Anne's Episcopal Church, 2690 Fairlawn Drive, features a small, two manual Bedient organ. It was built in 1997.
• St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 520 Summit Street, has a 1929 four manual E.M. Skinner with 51 ranks. There are only a few remaining Skinner's in playing condition. It was restored by A. Thompson-Allen Company of New Haven, Connecticut in 1999.
• St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 2575 Parkway Drive, has a one manual organ which was built by a Winston-Salem organ builder, John Farmer, in 1994. Farmer specializes in mechanical action organs. The adjacent, Old St. Timothy's Episcopal Church features an 1851 one manual, four rank Erben organ.

Organ lovers can enjoy this music during regular church service hours. However, special programs do highlight the organs throughout the year. One example is the Old Salem lunchtime organ recital series, which showcase the recently restored Tannenberg organ.

Reynolda House, Museum of American Art maintains an Aeolian house organ, which was owned by R.J. and Katharine Reynolds. Built in 1918, it has its original form and is used today for concert performances.

Old Salem also maintains a small one manual Tannenberg organ in the historic Single Brothers House. Each December, participants in Home Moravian Church's Candle Tea are invited to sing along with the organ's music.

Student recitals at area colleges and universities provide the opportunity for visitors to experience these musical instruments. Also, the Winston-Salem Chapter of the American Guild of Organists presents guest artists at local venues.