Some of these early instruments are noteworthy due to their status as historic instruments (e.g. the 1693 Schnitger organ at St. Jacobi in Hamburg). Other instruments reflect the various trends in organ building both in America and in Europe. From the 1928 E.M. Skinner organ at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel at the University of Chicago to the French Romantic organs, all of these instruments have come to life at the hands of Manz, in turn reflecting his work as an organist and composer. While most of these instruments have provided a brilliant palette of sound for him to work with, some of these instruments have also left indelible impressions on the artist, changing his aesthetic and orientation as an organist. Of the latter, the instruments by Herman Schlicker at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Valparaiso University would create deep and lasting impressions-impressions that would deeply affect Manz's work both as a composer and perfomer.