Replacing an Electronic...

[KB7DQH]

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/06/28/2853529/river-park-church-sets-stage-for.html

Eric
KB7DQH

[David Pinnegar]

Dear Eric

What an inspirational piece of news! Thanks so much for posting. This is the proof of the pudding that electronics can really generate enough enthusiasm for pipe organs to be built in future to replace them. The electronics have to be bad enough for people to know that pipes are better yet inspirational enough to lead to people understanding that the King of Instruments is really worthy of its name.

Best wishes

David P

[KB7DQH]

A link from a much earlier post, but another example...http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20100206/NEWS01/702069955

OK, strictly speaking the instrument isn't "new"... but one could argue that the "installation" is...

Eric
KB7DQH

[KB7DQH]

Found another one 8)

First Church Congregational of Fairfield, noted for its socially progressive theology and commitment to community works, will be celebrating the dedication of their new tracker pipe organ with a series of Inaugural events on Sunday, Nov. 14.

http://www.minutemannewscenter.com/articles/2010/10/20/fairfield/news/doc4cbf45383e215635998624.txt

"I really feel the organ will provide a tremendous boost in the spiritual energy of the congregation," Spollett continued. "It will enrich our worship life and everything that we do in reaching out to the community...all the ways that we try to build a better world stem from our worship. When the organ enhances our worship it will also enhance and empower our work in the community."

And...http://www.ctpost.com/entertainment/article/Virtuoso-Justin-Bischof-set-to-solo-Nov-14-at-809979.php

As one of Connecticut's oldest congregations -- founded in 1639 -- First Church "holds a unique position ... as a traditional community gathering point," noted the Rev. David W. Spollett, pastor.

As such, First Church intends to share the instrument with the region as a "community resource" through musical programs designed to "inspire and uplift," at which "people of all faiths and . . . no faiths" will be welcome, Spollett said.

Spollett pointed out that the organ, costing "in the six figures," was designed "specifically for the location" to complement the church's Romanesque-style sanctuary. He said that planning for a new organ began in 2000, which the congregation realized that it needed to replace its aging electronic instrument.

So... Why don't more churches think this way???

Eric
KB7DQH

[KB7DQH]

An update on my first posting in this subject...  It's done!

The Sacramento Bee has a link to a video of this organ accompanying a hymn, which can be found
here 8)  ;) http://videos.sacbee.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=29316451&item_index=1&all=1&sort=NULL

Eric
KB7DQH

[KB7DQH]

The news article is titled "A Glorious Day"....

http://www2.journalnow.com/entertainment/2011/apr/24/wsliving01-a-glorious-day-k-ar-971478/

A new pipe organ makes its debut... and, yes, this one displaces a Rogers electronic...

On this Easter morning, Jennifer Dunn will position herself behind the organ console

at King Moravian Church, spread her fingers across the keyboards and play the opening notes to "God Gave to Us This Glorious Day," sending a swell of sacred music through the sanctuary.

It will be unlike any music ever heard in the church's 85-year history.

Today, the 350 members of the congregation will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the most important holiday in the Christian faith. And they will do so with a new pipe organ, an instrument that has been a longtime dream for many of those members.

Mary Etta Gentry, 95, has worshipped at King Moravian for 72 years.

"It's special," Gentry said of the pipe organ, which many think is the only one in Stokes County. "This kind of event doesn't happen in many lifetimes."

When a new sanctuary was built in 1993, a space behind the altar was left for a pipe organ.

The organ fund grew slowly, but it wasn't until last year that the church started a capital campaign for a pipe organ to replace the Rodgers electronic organ in use for 38 years.

Drake Flynt, the music director at the church for 30 years, said the congregation, with its love of music, was looking for a way to further enhance its worship service.

"We want to give our best in worship and realize that this was next in our best worship," Flynt said. "This was a logical step for us spiritually and musically."

A pipe organ, with its breathy, organic sound, will make some familiar music pieces sound dramatically different, he said.

"Every congregation member should sit up and go, 'Wow. I've never heard that before.' But it'll be the same piece that we've played for years," Flynt said.

When choir members showed up for practice before Holy Wednesday's service, some gasped and patted their chests at the sight of the organ.

"I've wanted to see one here about all my life," said Sally Hartgrove, who played piano in the church as a child in the 1940s.

The church has $36,000 more to raise to pay for the organ, a debt it hopes to reduce when it holds a silent auction May 7 at 5:30 p.m. at the fellowship hall.

Later this summer, after final adjustments to the organ, the church hopes to invite the community to a formal dedication.

"We hope this will be a draw for musicians and other congregations," Flynt said. "We hope people in the county will say, 'I want to go hear a pipe organ this Sunday.' "

Eric
KB7DQH