Pipes are calling...

[KB7DQH]

http://moonee-valley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/pipes-are-calling-in-moonee-ponds/

I imagine other serviceable organs are silent for want of an organist... :'(

AN HISTORIC pipe organ sits idle at St Thomas Anglican Church in Moonee Ponds but the church's vicar, the reverend Alan Colyer, is on a mission to get the pipes to sing again.

"It's one of the oldest organs in Moonee Valley and in the Anglican Church in Melbourne but I cannot find an organist to play on Sunday mornings," Mr Colyer said.

"It's just such a shame to see this instrument idle during our services."

He said the church hired an organist to play at its Christmas service but could not afford it for every Sunday service.

"We need to see if there's anybody around who is able to take on the organ and be part of the congregation and hear it sing again," Mr Colyer said.

"I'm looking for someone who will come and play, preferably someone who is part of the Anglican church and can become part of the community."

Mr Colyer said the organ, which is more than 100 years old, was in first-class condition.

To volunteer, phone Mr Colyer on 0418 708 610.

But programs such as this should serve to create interest to prevent the situation above:

Tour of pipe organs tuned to families

Pratt, Kan. —

On Sunday, March 18, Kansas Chapters of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) will sponsor a tour of two pipe organs in Pratt — with a program geared to interest young people of all ages, and particularly suited to families.

Those who attend will hear the instruments and learn more about how they work.   Beginning at 2 p.m. with First United Methodist Church, 100 N. Jackson, the tour will move on by family car to St. Paul Lutheran Church, just northeast of Pratt. 

After looking at pipes inside the St. Paul organ, young keyboard players will also be invited to try one of their piano pieces at the instrument.  Refreshments will be served around 3:30 p.m., and the public is cordially invited to attend, free of charge.

This affair is part of the Kansas AGO Chapters' State-wide Sunflower Organ Initiative — a celebration of Kansas organs and organists begun in the State's sesquicentennial year. The Initiative first sponsored a Family Organ Tour in Wichita; and shortly following, Governor Brownback proclaimed the month of October 2011, as "Sunflower Organists Month."   At present, Family Organ Tours are also scheduled in McPherson and Great Bend, while events in other Kansas towns are being considered as well.

Eric
KB7DQH

[revtonynewnham]

Hi

Lack ofan organist is an all too common problem.  One initiative that we've been doing through the Bradford Organists' Assoc is a series of free introductory lessons - the only stipulation being that the recipient joins the assoc.  This has been pretty successful, and one of the youngsters that took this up a few years back is going great guns, and has recently been appointed organ scholar at Bradford Cathedral (and is giving a recital there in the lunchtime series later in the year).  Well worthwile.

Every Blessing

Tony