From Nashville to Chicago...by car!

The last day of AGO*Con Nashville was great! We heard recitals by Atlanta's own Ahreum Han at First Presbyterian, and Jane Parker-Smith at Brentwood UMC. Ms. Han is actually now the organist at a church in Iowa, but immigrated to Atlanta from South Korea at age 16. Ms. Parker-Smith is one of England's premiere organist. That made the 3rd English organist to present a recital at the convention.

First Presbyterian Church, Nashville

Von Bekerath Organ (1974)

3 manuals, 74 ranks

Brentwood United Methodist Church, Nashville

M. P. Moeller Organ (1991)

4 manuals, 71 ranks

I left Nashville for Chicago at 9:00 a.m. We were at friend David's church, Bethlehem Lutheran, in Chicago, at 7:30 p.m. and practiced for an hour and a half for tomorrow's Postlude: Stars and Stripes Forever! We had fun playing around with the registration on his 1965 Moeller Organ, 3 manuals, 35ish ranks. At one point I went to the wrong manual for the melody and discovered a combination that sounds like a glorious Skinner French Horn! The console hasn't been updated so we had to do the old hold and set routine for piston setting but got everything worked out. Did I mention the church is not air conditioned and the organ is in the rear gallery! I lost some weight practicing.

Here's a picture of Bethlehem Lutheran's J.S. Bach window (Chicago).

It will be great to have some R&R with friends for a week in Chicago. Coincidentally the Organ Historical Society is having its annual convention here this week and we may do a daily registration for one of the days.

And as for progress on Opus 408D? The "Letter of Intent" to use the Organ Clearing House as our organ builder and the associated payments have been made! Now things will start happening fast. Stay tuned.

And for a little Church Humor...

Most of us have now learned to live with voice mail as a necessary part of our daily lives. But have you ever wondered what it would be like if God decided to install voice mail? Imagine praying and hearing this:

Thank you for calling Heaven.

 For English, Press 1

 For Spanish, Press 2

 For all other languages, Press O

Please select one of the following options:

 Press 1 for Requests

 Press 2 for Thanksgiving

 Press 3 for Complaints

 Press 4 for all other inquiries

I'm sorry. All of our angels and saints are busy helping other sinners right now. However, your prayer is important to us, and we will answer it in the order received. Please stay on the line.

If you would like to speak to God, Press 1- Jesus, Press 2- Holy Spirit, Press 3.

If you would like to hear King David sing a Psalm while you hold, Press 4.

To find a loved one that has been assigned to Heaven, Press 5, and then enter his or her social security number, followed by the # sign.

If you receive a negative response, please hang up and try area code 666.

For reservations at Heaven, please enter J-O-H-N, followed by the number 3-1-6.

For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs, the age of the earth, life on other planets, and where Noah's Ark is, please wait until you arrive.

Our computers show that you have already prayed today. Please hang up and try again tomorrow.

The office is now closed for the weekend to observe a religious holiday.

Please pray again on Monday, after 9:30 a.m. If you are calling after hours and need emergency assistance, please contact your local Pastor.