The rebuilt console

The console was gutted, refinished and rebuilt. New drawknobs, new keyboards, rehabbed pedal board, new layout of divisions, additional expression pedal, new multi-level memory system...but the same dear carving on top from the 1920's.

That was then

E M Skinner, Opus 408, console 1923

The console after we got it...in a car garage!

This is now...

Many drawknobs are in preparation for the gallery organ

I had to throw in a shot of the Aeolian-Skinner console at The Mother Church in Boston
The Johns Creek console compares very favorably

The console carving before restoration

And after a job very well done

Installation Progress at the Church September 2016

15 years ago this pipe organ didn't have a home and its future was to be taken to a dump or something. Now it is being reinstalled in a church, Johns Creek UMC. Here are pics as the organ arrives at the church.

Each crate is carefully marked with project ID, stop name and pipe number

Reed pipes in their tray

Just wait until they have to stand this pipe up!

8 men to manage this ONE pipe! The King of Instruments indeed!

Pics of the installation progress

Many thanks to the folks who are taking pictures as Opus 408D is being installed at Johns Creek UMC. These include Jeremy Rush and Mark Rainey.

Preparing the space...

Painting the chambers

Fresh coat of paint!

Building the blower room

Well insulated blower room

Loading a truck at Casavant. The organ was delivered in 3 different trucks spaced at intervals to prevent back-up of materials stored in the sanctuary.

In the loading dock at Casavant

The first load waiting to be put on trailer 

The first truckload of organ parts has arrived and they're beginning the installation. So far scaffolding has been assembled, I see some open woods on the chancel floor perhaps getting ready to go in, and they're off and running.

You can watch the work in real time at this link. Johns Creek UMC installation link. This is a live stream that will be available 6 days a week. Details are on the page. Enjoy!!!

This link will take you to the Johns Creek Methodist Church Music Facebook page where you'll find out about the latest progress in preparation for the arrival of Aeolian-Skinner Opus 408D later this month.

An interesting connection to the project will occur through a meeting of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and I'm not sure anyone realizes this yet! David Enlow, Organist & Choirmaster of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in New York City will be performing for the chapter and guests at their September 13, 2016 program.

When I began investigating the possibility of acquiring a used pipe organ for Johns Creek, John Bishop of the Organ Clearing House suggested that I visit NYC for the dedication of the newly renovated Casavant Organ that OCH had installed in Church of the Resurrection. So I went, enjoyed the program and met David. I hope he takes the opportunity to run up to Johns Creek and check out the project. His warm hospitality certainly made this southerner visiting the north feel comfortable. 

He will be performing at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Briarcliff Road in Atlanta. This is presented by the Atlanta Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO). Go here for information. Anyone may attend either opportunity but notice that the Saturday part is a workshop (intended for organists to learn how to better improvise), the concert on the 13th is a full organ concert. Tickets are only required for the meal part of each event.

A photo from Canada

Simon Coture, vice president of Casavant Organs and project coordinator for the rebuild of Opus 408D at the Casavant shop is in town this week. He and Ken Axelson (organist at Johns Creek UMC) and Jeremy Rush (music staff at JCUMC) worked on preparations for the organ's arrival. These pictures were taken by Ken on February 24 and posted on his Facebook page.

The console is beginning to take shape in the Casavant shop.

This is console in storage in New England.

And remember to "measure twice and cut once?"

Simon on left, Jeremy on right.

I'm not sure what they're measuring but I assume it's details for the facade. I'll find out today if they are still using the design, or something like it, that we came up while I was still at JCUMC. Whatever it's going to be, it will be grand!!!

Here are some important dates for your calendar

August 26, 2016 plan for organ to start arriving (several tractor-trailers full) at Johns Creek UMC

November 20, 2016 plan to start using the organ in services the Sunday before Thanksgiving

2017? Dedication celebrations

The latest news!!!

A new date for installation has been announced. In a letter from Nathan Frank to the donors of the organ fund he announced installation to begin August 23, 2016 and the first Sunday of use to be "Thanksgiving" Sunday 2016.