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Pipe Organ brought back to life...

Started by KB7DQH, April 18, 2012, 07:02:50 PM

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KB7DQH



http://www.cleveland.com/strongsville/index.ssf/2012/04/pipe_organ_is_brought_back_to.html

QuoteStrongsville United Church of Christ members had to decide whether to throw away a 40 year old pipe organ when it went out of tune, or replace it with a cheaper electrical organ.

Even though it is costing the church about $180,000 to fix the organ, church members didn't hesitate to start fund raising in order to maintain the organ's functionality.

Susan Tressa has played the pipe organ at the church for more than 25 years.

"It means a lot to this congregation," she said. "The church is very committed to its music program and very committed to this instrument."

The church hosted a pancake breakfast April 15 in order to raise funds for part two of the restoration.

"It's wonderful. This would not be possible without the congregation," said Jim Hienrich, head of the organ restoration committee.
pipe organView full sizeThe organ's pipes are kept on the church's second floor.

According to Hienrich, the organ came to the church in 1970. No one was able to play the instrument for about two years until phase one of the restoration was completed in September of 2011. Phase one fixed several electrical problems.

"Before, some pipes would play on their own or they wouldn't play when I wanted them to," Tressa said.

Phase two of the restoration will consist of rebuilding the organ's chest where many of the pipes sit, and cleaning more than 2,000 of the organ's pipes.

"Playing a pipe organ is like playing an orchestra. What we'll be doing now, will be to create a balance. The pipes will speak the way they were intended to," Tressa said.

Phase two will be completed in three parts each costing about $30,000.

"It's a rather sophisticated piece of equipment," Hienrich said.

Congregation members and community members, including Mayor Thomas Perciak, took part in the pancake breakfast and raffle that benefited the restoration process.

"The community is what has made this possible. I'm very blessed to play what they have restored," Tressa said.

Eric
KB7DQH
The objective is to reach human immortality—that is, to create things which are necessary to mankind, necessary to the purpose of the existence of mankind, and which have become the fruit that drives the creation of a higher state of mankind than ever existed before."