Seton Shrine invites public (especially children:) to hear organ

[KB7DQH]

Children and their parents are invited to "Organs and Oreos," an event aimed to educate children about the value of music through exposure to the Shrine's Moller organ on Nov. 13.

The rest of the story is a pretty good read...http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=111919

Seton Shrine invites public to hear organ
Originally published November 03, 2010


By Ashley Andyshak Hayes
Special to the News-Post

EMMITSBURG -- The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is inviting the public to appreciate its historic organs this month through a children's event and a concert.

Children and their parents are invited to "Organs and Oreos," an event aimed to educate children about the value of music through exposure to the Shrine's Moller organ on Nov. 13.

Through hands-on activities, including touching and hearing the pipe organ, children are invited to increase their appreciation for the instrument and music and their understanding of sound.

Registration for the event is limited to ensure a meaningful experience for each child, according to a press release issued by the Seton Shrine.

Later this month, another historic organ will be in action during a concert at the Basilica.

The concert, featuring "The Organ Mass" arranged by Johann Sebastian Bach, will be performed by Elizabeth A. Krouse on The Clavierubung 111. The concert is free and donations will be accepted to benefit the restoration of the Moller organ.

The Shrine is raising funds to restore the Moller pipe organ, produced in 1965 by an organ manufacturer in Hagerstown. The campaign has reached the halfway point of its $183,000 goal and the Shrine has approved contracts to restore the upper organ section. Lawless & Associates Pipe Organ Co. of Greencastle, Pa., has been chosen as the contractor for the job.

Irv Lawless worked for the Moller Organ Co. as tonal manager and assistant vice president for five years and serves as curator of the organ at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

"The organ at St. Elizabeth Seton Shrine is well worth the money," Lawless said in a press release. "The organ is in very good condition overall ... with a good maintenance program the organ will continue for many more years."

The Moller organ is one of nearly 12,000 organs crafted by the Moller firm between 1875 and 1992, according to a release from the Shrine. Similar models can be found at West Point, N.Y., the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, the Lincoln Center in New York, and at Camp David, near Thurmont.

The Shrine is also offering an "Adopt-a-Pipe" program for individuals or businesses to sponsor the organ restoration effort.

Sounds like a fun event to benefit the organ by raising funds for its restoration...

Eric
KB7DQH