Background on the organ

I'm posting several links to background information on the Aeolian-Skinner Opus 408D.

1. First is a link to the New York City AGO Chapter's webpage on the organs of Trinity Church Wall Street. It has the history of the organ from its beginning until it was removed to storage at the church in 2003. It even mentions that we were given the organ in 2011 to put in our new sanctuary. Some warnings about reading this info. As you scroll down the page on the NYCAGO website don't be fooled into thinking that the "Marshall & Ogeltree" organ is what we got. It is an electronic and replaced the pipe organ that we got. Also, there are no pictures on that page of the pipes or console we got. What you see in the pictures is an organ case from an earlier pipe organ built by Erben. We will have a custom designed organ facade at Johns Creek UMC.
2. A link to the news story aired on WSB News, Atlanta in 2011 about our acquisition of the organ. 
3. A link to the slide show I made showing pictures of the organ as it was being moved and then of my planned trip to study various Aeolian-Skinner organs.
4. A link to an article posted on New York NBC affiliate "4 New York". This came as a result of an Associated Press article. Some of the information was wrong. The organ wasn't built in 1846. A previous organ at Trinity Wall Street was built then. The rest is accurate. You can search the internet for articles that resulted from the AP release - they were all over the country.

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

AGO*Con update

Pictures from the AGO Convention this week in Nashville.

 Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal)
Lively-Fulcher Organ (2003)
3 manuals, 58 ranks

Randy Elkins in front of fountain at Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Straight No Chaser performing at the Ryman Auditorium

Fountain in front of Schermerhorn

The Parthenon on July 4, 2012

JCUMC Construction Pics

I'm catching up on picture transfers from phone to computer. I've even learned how to edit them on phone (especially crop) and have several good construction shots of the Johns Creek UMC Sanctuary.


Interior shots were taken when the Chancel Choir got a private tour before our final rehearsal in June. We took music with us and sang from the chancel. Thrilling!

 Exterior June 2012

Bell Road Side

Interior June 2012 

view from Gallery to Chancel

Interior June 2012 

view of the ceiling cat walks

Exterior June 2012

(Back)View from CIBA Vision Parking Lot

AGO*Con July 4

Yes, we started the day in church! This is the altar of Christ Church Cathedral, Nashville after Eucharist with Mass settings sung by the choir of Trinity College Cambridge, England. They were exquisite.

AGO*Con update

Still enjoying the AGO National Convention in sunny Nashville, TN. Yesterday we heard 3 young organists - one from Atlanta who - Brian Anderson - a student at Curtis Institute. He played Marcel Dupre's 2nd Organ Symphony on a 1970 Aeolian-Skinner. At age 19 this young man has poise, presence, musicality and technique way beyond his years. Very proud of our Atlanta talent.

Yesterday afternoon we were treated to a performance by Tom Trenney. What a brilliant player. He began with Charles' Ives beloved "Variations on America" where he exploited the abilities of the 130+ rank, 5 Manual, Moeller of West End United Methodist Church. The highlight of the program was improvisation. He improvised on poetry by Shel Silverstein and on the hymn tune "Ora Labora." The latter was offered in memory of the great American organist and improviser, Gerre Hancock. I was breathless.

Last night's concert was offered by Thomas Trotter, the stunning English concert organist and organist of Birmingham Town Hall (England). This was elegant music played with class and style. Incidentally I was told at a reception last night that Trotter will be featured in Atlanta at the Cathedral of St. Philip in March 2013. Plan to attend!

Today we were treated to another municipal organist (employed by the city) organist from across the pond. Raul Ramirez appeared earlier this season at Peachtree Presbyterian in Buckhead (Atlanta) and I missed the concert. What I heard today was breathtaking. He played transcriptions of Saint-Seans' "Danse Macabre" and Liszt's "Mephisto Waltz." A brilliant artist playing in a beautiful room - and from memory! We have to have him play at Johns Creek when the organ is complete. Maybe a dedication recital?

The next recital today was percussion and organ! More Saint-Seans...Carnival of the Animals. Incredible playing by percussionist and organist.

Tonight after our banquet we will go to the Ryman Auditorium to hear "Straight No Chaser." Look them up on youtube, they're great!!! 10 men singing a capella pops.

Looking forward to a sweltering 4th of July tomorrow along the river.

Pics of the organ in storage

2012 July 1 - Sunday

The time stamp on the blog is in the wrong time zone. I'll figure out what the problem is soon and fix it.

It's 1:45 p.m. and I just got the call from my ride to the AGO Convention that he's on his way. Folks driving up Saturday from Atlanta to Nashville said there was road construction just south of Nashville that slowed things down. Hopefully we'll make it in time for the Opening Service tonight at First Baptist Church, Nashville.

Here's a link to the Organ Clearing House (OCH) - the organization that set us up with the Aeolian-Skinner and will be leading the rebuilding and installation project. Check out their website. It's fascinating to look at pictures of the organs they have posted and to read about their work and mission.
Organ Clearing House

Here are pics of the console of Opus 408D. It's in the workshop of John Bishop up in Maine right now, waiting for the project to start. Exquisite carvings on the top! Enjoy.