Organ matters - Organs matter!

Hi

Churches closing is a big issue - especially as, all too often, it means an end to a visible Christian presence in the particular locality.

Although I'm not an Anglican, I'm well aware of the Quota - and it's not only rural churchess that have problems raising it - our local Anglican churches in Bradford were in the same boat (and Bradford city has lost a frightening number of churches of all denominations in the past half-century).  In  theory, the wealthier churches pay over the odds in their quota to help support the others.  I know of one Anglican church where - certainly at the time when my son was a member of the PCC - were paying a significant majority of their income to the Diocese.

Personally, I think that the Anglican (and some other) churches need to look at more lay leadership, and put an end to the falacy that the Vicar (Priest/Minister) is there to do it all.  I also think that it's way past time for a fresh emphasis on Mission/Evangelism, and a fresh look at how we "do church".  That includes not only style of worship (and there is a need to remember that the church has to serve its current members as well as incomers, but the day & time of services and so on.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

The reed to be fair is a little loud for the softest combinations - but you don't have to use it.  It was nicely voiced, although still obviously a fractional length job.  The instrument is designed for home prctice rather than a church or other public situation, which would make a difference.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

As David says, the use of Harmonium reeds for pedal basses, whilst not common, is far from unknown.  There are also a handful of hybrid pipe/reed organs around the world, but they have the same tuning issues as pipe/electronic hybrids.

An alternative to the small organ pedal 16ft issue is the use of a fractional length reed, as in http://www.npor.org.uk/NPORView.html?RI=E00937

I've played this organ, and the pedal reed is surprisingly effective.  It's mounted behind the lower case panel, just above the pedals, and the case panel can be opened a small amount to give soft and slightly louder effects.  Very interesting idea.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi


This certainly looks interesting for those who have the space.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

It's a Mason & Hamlin "normalharmonium" model 50BQ - looks like 13 stops from the pictures I took.  I can send you pictures etc. if you're interested.  It dates from c.1916.  Available free.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

A while ago I mentioned a Mason & Hamlin reed organ, in full working order and regularly used, that is being replaced with a pipe organ.  (The church have been given the pipe organ!).

The M&H will be removed an broken up in a couple of weeks unless a new home is found.  It's all working and in pretty good condition - currently fitted with an electric blower.  Located in rural Warwickshire.

If you can rehouse this instrument (which is of good quality), then please contact me urgently.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi Barrie

Not got round to changing any pistons as yet - I've been busy with other things (musical arrangements for an instrumental group - recorders, Clarinets & maybe a Trumpet) for Harvest Festival, plus preparing for a mini-concert at church for the Harvest supper), and not too well.  I'd suggest ringing or messaging Viscount at Bicester & asking. They have a Facebook page too.  I'm intending to pop over to Bicster sometime soon to get a demo of ssome additional software for the Envoy.

Sorry not to be of more help

Every Blessing

Tony

I have just seen this on another forum. What an immense loss this is to the world of organ and church music. My thoughts are with his family.

http://www.saintthomaschurch.org/about/news/342/john-scott-1956-2015?preview_key=83778

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

Trevor Hawkins (EOCS member) has been doing this sort of thing for many years.  It might be worth getting in touch with him - if only to compare notes.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

The problem with changing the name to VPOCS or something similar is thaat  it disenfranchises those who, for whatever reason, have an interesst in building/modifying/restoring analogue electronics.  There's been a lot of discussion about the name over recent years, but no clear "winner".  The society also includes a few people insteressted in building/modifying pipe organs, and also other electrronic musical instruments.

No easy answers!

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

There should be contact details in the EOCS membership list that's circulated to all members.  If there's no phone no. or snail mail addresss there, contact the membership secretary & ask him to pass on a message.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi Jube

You need to research - my organ is digigtal, and the record/playback system is built in.  Many modern pipe organs have record/replay facilities - and as David says, they've been around for a while.  I guess SSL or the other organ transmission system manufacturers will have thier own systems - and I remember some years ago a firm advertising these systems as an add-on for electric action organs.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

Hardly a new or unique idea!  Barrel organs have been known for centuries, and more recently, instruemnts using punched card or paper were made.  The invention of MIDI in the 1970's(? has allowed sequenceers to be built into organs (or added eternally).  Even my house organ (digital) has one - as does one of my digital pianos.  In general, the techn ology is restricted to organs with electric or selectronic transmission systems - and the hardware isn't difficult to find.  Adding it to a historic tracker or pneumatic action organ is a very different matter, and can't be done without significant modifications to the instrument  - at the least adding pull-down magnets to the tracker action (as is done on organs with dual tracker &  electric consoles).  I suppose the other approach would be the "dumb organist" where a device sitsover the keys with wooden fingers controlled by the automatics to depress them.

I suggest you look at organ MIDI systems.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

Beaumaris PC was open when we were there last year (Oct).  Organ in West Gallery - and looking rather tired externally, despite a fairly recent rebuild.  Didn't try & access it, and didn't have opportunity to try anywhere else.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

Looks like a raather different type of organ scolarship - the following appeared on another board this morning. I have no connection whatsoever with the project! 

Every Blessing

Tony
From Mander Organs discussion board:-

Now it its third year, the Southbank Centre is offering an Organ Scholarship. The scholarship is designed as a professional development and leadership training scheme.

From September to July 2016 this unique training placement will support our International Organ Series concert programme, development work and organ participatory activity.

We are looking for a confident scholar to be an ambassador for the organ and to work closely with the Learning and Participation team to help engage new audiences including schools and the general public with this extraordinary instrument. This is a unique and extremely exciting opportunity for a music student or graduate, with specialist organ training, to gain experience from our Organ Curator William McVicker, to support and collaboration with our music programming team and to be a part of a lively cross-arts organisation.

The Organ Scholar role will will run on a bursary system, with an expectation that you will work 20 hours per month. You will be involved in a number of our annual festivals and you may be asked to participate in a number of performance opportunities and learning projects. Any additional project activity, over these 20 hours, will be paid at a fixed rate.

This is a supported traineeship role and opportunities to take part in additional training, role shadowing and work placements can be negotiated on a case by case basis.

Closing Date: 17th August 2015
If you are interested or you would like more information, please visit our recruitment site here: https://recruit.sout...detail_115.aspx

Hi

I use headphones when I need to - I have several pairs around the place.  I'd prefer not to be tied to using them though.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

It's arrived!  It fits nicely in my music room - now all I need to do is shoehorn back in the various electronic instruments I moved out to make manouvering space to get the Viscount in.  I didn't get a chance to play it more than just confirming it was working yesterday - maybe later today.  Having turned down  the overall volume to a suitable level for the small room, I will have to increase the level of some of the softer stops - which should be a relatively easy job considering the amount of "tweakability" the instrument features.  I can see many hours of fun coming up - once I've got all the other jobs I need to do out of the way.  The joys of being retired!

More comment later, when I've got to grips with it.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

Ghanks to those who've responded.  The organ arrives tomorrow.  David - I'll try and post a couple of recordings in the next couple of weeks (other commitments allowing!).  I had a demo of the Physis system when Viscount launched the new range of organs a couple of years back, and was very impressed by the overall sound quality - especially for the price.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

This for me is a difficult question.  I've played many organs over the years, and with a few exceptions that were dire for various reasons, I've enjoyed them all.  To me, the "best organ" depends on what repertoire you're playing!  I don't really have favourites.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

Yesterday I ordered (thanks to selling a car!) a digital organ for my "music room".  I've gone for a Viscount Envoy 35, after having been offered a remarkable deal by my good friends at Promenade Music.  All I need to do now is make space for it (and try & cram too many instruments into the space!).  More later once I've got the organ, which uses "Physical modelling" technology rather than samples, and sounded very impressive when I had a demo recently.

Every Blessing

Tony