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In the ELPC Solo
Organ, we do find beautiful sounds (when they cooperate!) for
playing melodic passages. The names of some of these are: French
Horn; English Horn; Gamba and Gamba Celeste (quasi cello);
Orchestral Flute; Tuba and Tuba Mirabilis (one of the most
powerful sounds in the entire organ.)
The sounds of Solo
divisions add a tonal dimension which in today's market might be
described as a luxury because stops (sounds) such as those
described above are expensive: expensive because of the sheer
size of these ranks of pipes, most all of them being of full
8-foot length and thus requiring more material of tin, lead or
wood throughout their compass; the extreme skill required to
manufacture these particular pipes; the addition of high
pressure wind to make these pipes produce their proper sounds.
And, we have a magnificent SOLO Organ that, when restored, will
bring us once again those beautiful sounds we have come to
hear—even though we didn't know what they were or how they are
produced.
There is another
division, an important division of the ELPC organ, a division
that is almost twice the size of the Solo organ. It is called
the ANTIPHONAL Organ and it resides at the liturgical "west" end
of the Nave. We know it as "the balcony." The Antiphonal Organ
in size contains 17 sets of pipes including the memorial
Trompette en Chamade under the balcony window. The pipes of the
Antiphonal organ are located in chambers on either side of the
balcony and they are fronted by decorative wooden screens (just
like in the Chancel.) Antiphonal organs are used in large
sanctuaries to assist the congregation in its singing of the
worship music. That's exactly what we used to be able to do
before our antiphonal organ developed terminal problems in its
wind chests and electrical system. In fact we used to have
choral music from the balcony accompanied by the Antiphonal
organ. And some of you still remember how there was supportive
sound surrounding you on congregational hymns if you were
sitting further back in the nave beyond the transepts.
The Antiphonal Organ
is NOT included in the contract for restoration of the ELPC
organ. It is not overlooked by the builders. In fact the new
electrical systems and switching mechanisms include the
Antiphonal organ at a later date. Why a later date? In the mind
of the companies that were considered for this contract, their
thought was that the front (Chancel) organ would be completed
and then based upon that sound and how it relates to the
acoustical enhancements that were done in the sanctuary several
years back, appropriate tonal appointments would be made in the
Antiphonal division thus tying both front and back organs
together as a family. Were such work to be approved it could be
completed within six months of the Chancel organ.
There have been
suggestions made as to how the completion of the Antiphonal
Organ might be accomplished. Being only one eighth the size of
the Chancel organ, the cost to refurbish the complete Antiphonal
division is therefore proportionally less than the total cost of
the present capital campaign. Considering the effectiveness of
the Antiphonal organ and several valid reasons why the complete
organ (both ends of the Sanctuary) should be restored at the
same time, the addition of this cost to the overall project does
not seem to be prohibitive to a number of our ELPC people.
Although I am speaking unofficially, here I have been asked as
to how this additional project might be realized. I must caution
us all that we must not divert our contributions toward the
present Pipes of Glory campaign. Any underwriting of the
additional contract for the Antiphonal Organ must be "new"
money. And what might "new" money be? I have been asked about
gifts given in honor or in memory of someone (the Chapel organ
is given in honor of the music ministry of Donald and Mary
Kettring.) Such gifts might be by individuals or a group or
family might wish to combine their gifts. If you have questions
or if you have an interest in this particular aspect of the
organ restoration project please do not hesitate to speak with
me or certainly with our Pastor, Rev. Randy Bush. We will be
happy to receive your questions and your suggestions, and to
listen to your interest in this aspect of your church's life.
Next article in
the series -- Part
4: "The CHOIR Organ"
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