Hi
The Laycock & Bannister from Heaton Baptist Church was sold for reinstallation in a large Anglican church - at which point, so I'm told, the organ builder went bust and the organ ended being dispersed for parts - a real shame.
As to congregational accompaniment, you don't actually NEED a large organ - but it does need to be free standing and well voiced. A few years ago I played for a Christmas Eve communion service at an Anglican church close to where I was living at the time. The church was one of 3 in a combined benefice, and the church was packed - at least 500. The organ - a 4 stop chamber organ (NPOR N13313) and had no problem keeping tempos, etc. - I didn't even need full organall the time! Agreed, something a little larger would give more variety - but a good extension organ should be adequate, asshould a well voiced straight organ with a good Diapason chorus.
Electronics will lats around 15-20 years unless you're lucky - and Hauptwerk potentially less given the rate of onsolescence in the computer world! Large organs are often more a reflection of the organist's ego that the real needs of the situation. (Not that I would argue if we had a slightly larger pipe organ - but then we would lose seating.
Every Blessing
Tony
The Laycock & Bannister from Heaton Baptist Church was sold for reinstallation in a large Anglican church - at which point, so I'm told, the organ builder went bust and the organ ended being dispersed for parts - a real shame.
As to congregational accompaniment, you don't actually NEED a large organ - but it does need to be free standing and well voiced. A few years ago I played for a Christmas Eve communion service at an Anglican church close to where I was living at the time. The church was one of 3 in a combined benefice, and the church was packed - at least 500. The organ - a 4 stop chamber organ (NPOR N13313) and had no problem keeping tempos, etc. - I didn't even need full organall the time! Agreed, something a little larger would give more variety - but a good extension organ should be adequate, asshould a well voiced straight organ with a good Diapason chorus.
Electronics will lats around 15-20 years unless you're lucky - and Hauptwerk potentially less given the rate of onsolescence in the computer world! Large organs are often more a reflection of the organist's ego that the real needs of the situation. (Not that I would argue if we had a slightly larger pipe organ - but then we would lose seating.
Every Blessing
Tony