Meet John Bishop

John Bishop with console of Aeolian-Skinner Opus 408-D

I just caught up with John Bishop, our organ builder, and the Executive Director of Organ Clearing House (OCH). He's en route to Michigan for a consultation before meeting me in Chicago next week. John has a monthly column in the Diapason magazine (organists' journal) and posts regularly on his blog.

I'll be in Nashville through Friday and will travel with friends David and Joe to Chicago for a week's visit in their new downtown condo. David and I went to Indiana University together and he has asked me to join him for the organ duet version of "The Stars and Stripes Forever" in his service on Sunday. The church is NOT air conditioned. It's been since college days in Bloomington, Indiana that I've had to face that.

And now a few more pics from the AGO*Con:

19 Year old Atlanta native, Brian Anderson takes a bow after blowing

away the capacity audience at Belmont University 

with the Symphony No. 2 by Marcel Dupre!

This was the first concert on an organ who's restoration 

had been completed 6 days earlier!

1970 Aeolian-Skinner in Belmont University Concert Hall

3 Manuals, 54 Ranks. Restored by Milnar in Eagleville, TN.

The crowd gathered at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center for

the St. Cecilia Recital played by Thomas Trotter.

Shermerhorn's organ by Schoenstein (2007)

3 manuals, 64 ranks

Opening service at First Baptist Church, Nashville

Combined choirs of West End UMC and Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal)

Even with full organ, brass quintet and timpani the congregation drowned 

everything else out with their singing. A feature of AGO conventions!

First Baptist

Schantz Organ (1970)

4 manuals, 59 ranks