Shrewsbury church plans pipe organ demonstration

[KB7DQH]

http://www.telegram.com/article/20120210/TOWNNEWS/120209552&TEMPLATE=TOWNPORTAL 

SHREWSBURY —  Organist Malcolm Halliday will offer a “Welcome to the Organ” demonstration from 9 to 10 a.m. Feb. 18 at the First Congregational Church, 19 Church Road. Ever wondered what all those stops on the organ console mean? And what is a stop, anyway? How does a pipe organ work and why are there so many manuals?

This workshop will be geared toward adults and children Grade 6 and older. This class will be of particular interest to folks who play the piano, but should also be fun for anyone who is fascinated by the organ as a complex machine, or who takes an interest in the science of sound.

RSVP to the church office at (508) 845-7286 or email rmhallidayjr@gmail.com.

Eric
KB7DQH

[Barrie Davis]

Hi

This is such a good idea and hope other churches will follow this example. We need to encourage more people to take an interest in the King of Instruments.

Best wishes

Barrie

[ComptonNewbie]

I'm a bit confused that it is an 'introduction', but aimed at piano players of grade 6 or above.  Maybe more of a conversion course?  Or maybe the wording is just to keep the half-term riff-raff out. 

What is really needed is something to inspires those who are just starting out with keyboard instruments.  Too many seem to lose interest during initial struggles, before finding the world of organs.  The earlier they get that initial 'wow', the more likely some will find the vision to go on to become superb musicians.  The best organists seem to have come in contact with the organ long before the age of 10.  One would presume (Mozart apart) thet they were not grade 6 at that stage ....

Occasional tending of saplings is good, but someone needs to plant a few acorns once in a while.

Simon.

[revtonynewnham]

Hi

I agree that grade 6 is a bit on the high side.  A few years ago I put on a day session to introduce the organ to pianists & keyboard players (bearing in mind the number of churches that have music groups).  Maybe at some stage I'll get a chance to do this again.

Every Blessing

Tony

[KB7DQH]

Here is yet another brilliant example of "two countries separated by a common language"

"Children grade 6 and older" would refer to their position in the "general" education system, and as most children enter Kindergarten at around age 5, this would put the "target" minimum age for this
event at around 11 or 12...

Hope this helps...

Eric
KB7DQH

[ComptonNewbie]

I had assumed this was a UK event.  It may be worth clarifying future postings when they are covering overseas matters.  Most folks can guess it is in the US if there is a state name.  I guess there are several 'Shrewsbury's across the new world, so it is not just a UK issue.

Simon.