Loading...Organ Project Update – 11 April 2022
It's always fun to conclude the Easter Day service with the glorious sounds of the Toccata from Charles-Marie Widor's Symphony No. 5 for Organ! And that's the last we'll hear from our organ for a few weeks, as we undertake replacing most of its pipe valves.
Our organ is nearly 60 years old, and it's long overdue significant maintenance and updates.
The following two short "State of the Organ" videos explain the problem addressed in Phase I of the organ project:
Part I: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIcdsSxluSw
Part II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYat-bSZQUI&t=347s
What will the organ sound like when this phase is complete?
These repairs will enable individual stops to be used for solo lines and soft accompaniment. Imagine trying to play or sing a simple song, with only some of the notes – a solo doesn't work well if half the notes are missing! And of course, the ensemble combinations will be more reliable and consistent across the keyboards.
How much will this phase cost? The cost for Phase I will be around $23,000.
What are the other project phases?
Phase II involves "tonal work" – updates and improvements to the different types of sounds available, to better support congregational singing, choral accompaniment, and organ literature; estimated cost for this phase is $33,000.
Phase III is centered around the organ console (keyboards, stop controls, pedalboard, etc.) – in a nutshell, this work will enable use of the tonal changes in Phase II, refurbish old worn-out components, and re-design the existing console for a clearer sightline between organist and choir; estimated cost for the final phase is $45,000.
Total project cost is estimated at around $101,000 (a worthy investment for an instrument with a replacement value of about $420,000, and which will serve the people of St. James for many generations to come).
What can I do to learn more and support this effort?
Want more detail? Contact our organist-choirmaster at music.stjamespewee@gmail com, or ask a member of the Vestry.
Your support is needed in funding this project. With this important investment, St. James will enjoy a reliable, versatile pipe organ that will serve the parish and the community for many generations to come! Want to be a part of this endeavor? Send a check payable to St. James with "organ" in the memo line. Thank you!
