Organ matters - Organs matter!

An organbuilder friend is clearing out his workshop and has offered me a two-rank, one manual & pedal pipe organ.  It was originally a 'Priory' organ by Geo Osmond of Taunton, dating from the 70's.  As it originally came from a crematorium in Devon, it probably accompanied the funerals of several of my relations.  The pipework has been re-used in other organs, but it would probably have been too loud for my flat.  So, I'll be looking out for a small scale metal stopped diapason and a gemshorn or salicional rank, on about 2.3/4" wg.  I'll know more when I get down to pick it up later this month. I'll then be working out how to reassemble it.  The stopped diapason rank was enclosed, but I may decide to enclose it all for the benefit of the neighbours  :-[  So, the toaster will be for sale to make space.  I'll probably be picking your brains as I work out how to get it playing again.

Nigel

I just wish I had somewhere to put it  :'(

N

That's one of the things I've asked the seller.  I played a slightly larger G & S in a church at Shipham in Somerset.  It was a very well built instrument with a good tracker action and very satisfying to play.  If I get the chance, I'll try to arrange to look at this one - it's about 25 miles away.

N

I have emailed the seller for more information and suggested that she list it on the IBO redundant organs website.

N

I've just spotted this on Ebay - I'm guessing that this is the correct NPOR entry.  No idea what the electronic box of tricks is.

Nigel

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/griffen-and-stroud-single-manual-church-pipe-organ-/220809197141?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Keyboard_RL&hash=item336940f655

http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=R00611

David,

It would seem that, as an Old Boy of the school, you might be in a position to raise awareness of the importance of the organ amongst the OC's.  Without doubt many alumni are now in positions of influence.  I am sure that many organists of note have also played the instrument over the years.  Their support would be invaluable if a campaign to save the organ is to be launched.  Time will be of the essence if plans to remove the organ are just being mooted.  Can this forum help to raise awareness?  If so, let's get things moving.

Nigel

What a magnificent project - wish I was there to lend a hand.  Every good wish to Aaron and his team.

Nigel

Still for sale - one day to go and only £113.

Nigel

No, I've not heard the Worcester Rodgers - the only one I've played is a very small two-manual in a local church which replaced a harmonium.  Unfortunately, the speakers are so poor that they cannot handle the power.  Another local church have just installed a Rodgers - I must try to get to try it out.

The facade at Wellington was built by some of the students. It has been moved back from it's original position to make more space available for seating - anyone sitting there will get the full force of the Rodgers!  I've yet to hear it, but I still regret the loss of the 3-manual Osmond which it has replaced.

Nigel

Yes, Barrie,

Both of these are recorded on NPOR.  I informed them about Wellington School when the organ was destroyed (except for the facade which has been retained to hide the loudspeakers of the Rodgers).  The other, at Taunton School, is also recorded.  The Copeman-Hart now in the chapel has been the subject of some of C-H's advertising in recent months.

Nigel

I've just seen this on The Organ Forum.  A pretty heartrending sight.

http://pensacola.craigslist.org/msg/2389660966.html

Nigel

Thank you, David.  That does not look good.  Unfortunately, two local independent schools have taken similar action in recent years.  In both cases, the pipe organ was broken up for scrap.  One has been replaced with a Rodgers and the other with a Copeman Hart.  I haven't played the electronics, so can't comment on their quality, but I played both of the pipe organs before their destruction.  It is fair to say that whilst neither was an outstanding instrument, and both certainly needed a considerable amount of work, they could both have been restored.  Representations to the schools to at lease mothball the organs for future restoration were not heeded.

Let us hope that the same does not happen again.

Nigel

Not sure if this one has been picked up on yet.  One bid of £50 not reaching the reserve.  At least the wording of the ad suggests that the vendor is looking for a good home for it.

Nigel

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250841357072&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Here's the NPOR link: http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=A00924

The prospectus (?) doesn't say anything other then 'update' - do we know any more?

Nigel

For anyone north of the border this may be a bargain.

Regards,

Nigel

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/allen-digital-computer-church-organ/82460959

Good news indeed.  It would be nice to know where the organ is destined to go - and hopefully to hear it in it's new homw.

Nigel

A lovely organ - I wish I had the space for it.  Out of interest, how much is the owner asking for it?

Nigel

Not sure if this is the right place for this, but it may be of interest to somebody.

Nigel

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280699668774&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Unfortunately, I am not the learned Mr Allcoat  :-[.  I do hope that by circulating this widely we can find a home for what seems like a very useful instrument for a small church.  This is the second organ which has come up in Coventry this week - the other, which was mentioned here a few days ago, is still on Ebay.

Nigel

Many thanks.  the Heyligers I played was being sold by the former(?) Chairman of Viscount UK on Ebay.  It was stored at WM Organs in Somerset.  I think it was eventually sold to a school as a practice instrument.  Although it was analogue, the quality and quantity  of the amplifiers and speakers made a sound which knocked many of the digital organs in the showroom into touch. 

I agree with Barry about the potential improvements to an electronic which can be made by attention to the speakers and amps etc.  A local church has a Rodgers 525 which is ruined by having only two tiny speakers in the rafters and another local Copeman Hart (secondhand) instalation has the speakers banked up on the floor at the back of the church.  Both of these organs could be so much better if more attention was given to the installation and set up.

I will be keeping my eyes open for a small Heyligers - I still regret that I couldn't get the one I saw into my flat. In the meantime, my old Johannus sounds much better since it's service, especially since I have installed the Johannus surround amplifier.

Nigel