Westgate Morris

"Plug and play might be asking for problems, but plug, revoice and play?" Thanks Contrabombarde and spondel, I was considering the 'revoice' but wasn't clear about that in my initial question. My biggest concern was the rack board and the hole in the chest. I can afford the cost of a vintage rank of pipes and the cost to revoice. My builder was pushing a new rank, moving things around on the chest, new racks etc. etc. The cost was simply way out of the question and thus not worth the bother. Colin: I asked about a re-regulating but was given the cold shoulder, lack of interest. My organ builder is great but needs a little encouragement sometimes to work on the old stuff - he clearly has a passion for new pipes- easier and helps his bottom line as a business man. I will try a re-regulating/revoice one more time and combine it with work we are planning on a rank of reed pipes. I'll get quote for taking both to the shop. Thanks for the information. I have a little more ammunition going forward.

Question about replacing a rank with another rank: I would like to know if it is possible to simply plug and play a rank of flute pipes with another. I have a nondescript, really quiet, boring 8’ rank on the choir organ – Spitz flote 8’- 1950’s vintage ( it is NOT 'spitzy' at all). What is the chance I might find a used flue rank with the same scale/size and thus avoid re-sizing the racking boards etc. I was told I couldn’t do it. As I see it the current rank is taking up very expensive real-estate and is of no use what so ever. A new rank and all the work involved is out of the question. WM

Thanks for all the replies so far. I agree with Vox "I don't see a lot of point in Unison Off stops since, as pointed out, most of the time you can achieve the same effect simply by playing up or down an octave." In my modest sized instrument I think I can make a case to have a stop added and deal with playing up or down the octave. Now exactly what to add becomes the question. Perhaps I will post the specs under nuts and bolts and everyone can have a go at it. WM

I am just beginning my exploration of Whitlock and fortunately I was gifted a copy of "The Complete Shorter Organ Music" OUP and "Plymouth Suite" OUP. I agree with Peter about the page turn for a two page piece. Other than that the OUP editions are great - clear print in elegantly bound books. WM

lol Douglas Come to think of it I used Unison Off once to silence a solo division that was part of the choir manual. I could simply push in/pull out one stop instead of pulling a fist full. This is was big organ and I'm not sure why I didn't just set a piston.

ooops: electro-pneumatic WM

Trained on trackers some years ago at university I am still stumped by the “Unison Off” I find on the choir and swell stop jam where I play. (A modest sized electro-penumatic.) How do I use it? What is the musical purpose? I’m tempted to have my technician add an off-set chest and give me another stop. What do you think? WM

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. VA thanks for the list - I am trying to track down Nibelle: 50 Pieces. DD I will have a look a the Hindemith. Does anyone know about the OUP Easy Modern Organ Music albums? Are they now combined into one book?

Thanks everyone for your interest and help with these topics. As DD said these posts about repertoire are very helpful. I have got a lot of new and wonderful things on my 'to learn' list. Glad to see Fleury get mentioned. I discovered his music a few years ago. WM

Three unrelated questions: I have not learned a real French Toccata yet and knowing that I dislike the Widor what one should I tackle? I probably only get to learn one… I just don’t have the technique. I need ten pieces for the five Sundays of Lent. If I could find everything by one composer that would be ideal. One year I managed to play only Willan. It is a Lenten discipline – this appeals to me. Taking advantage of a suggestion to my weekly rep. on this forum I’m looking at Gawthrop. Have a listen to Randall Mullin’s youtube recordings of Gawthrop’s Four Noble Gases - charming and well played. What would you play? Instead of having an organ ‘teacher’ for lessons have you ever played for a mentor, a friend? Played rep. for each other and offered critique? How did it go? Did you just end up at the pub? lol W.

Thanks again for more suggestions. I didn't know Rachel Laurin was publishing with Wayne Leupold. I will have to look into her approachable rep. She is a very fine organist! I had lots of training in French Baroque and love the stuff... need to get some out again. Daniel Gawthrop and Egil Hovland - I would like to take a closer look at some of their organ works. W

Thanks Philip. Exactly what I was looking for. I appreciate your suggestions. I have the Andriessen, Whitlock and some retched old editions of the Mendelssohn. I used to collect all the music I could at used book sales so I have some goodies like the Andriessen but lots of poor music that I find myself playing because I can sight-read it as prelude and postlude. I really want to get playing some better rep. if I can – life is to short lol. W.

Playing every week! I know similar questions have been posted. Direct me to other posts if needed. What do members recommend as good serviceable repertoire (old and new) for those of us in smaller parish churches with very little time. My other job seems to demand a lot more of my time as it pays for my addiction to organ playing. ( I have a degree in music, studied organ and for example, can play, BWV 549, not sure of AB grade) The standard books like “easy preludes and postludes” at my local music retailer just don’t seem to hold my interest. J I refer to a quote from a Guest-Cynic in 2007: “I have an amateur organist friend who keeps making the mistake of really liking a piece, buying it and then getting bogged down because the choice is so firmly at the wrong level for him. A church organist does not have to play difficult pieces to do a good job, you do not even need difficult pieces to make a pleasing recital programme.” Running out of time, W

How does it sound? There is your answer. I have used them and only do if the sound is musical. WM

Real bell or digital carillon? My parish is dealing with an old electronic carillon that has passed its prime. It played 'sacred melodies' at different times of the day for approx. 4 min each time since some date before 1979! The system – basically cd recordings (originally tapes) of bells played over roof speakers is considered to old to repair. Estimates for a digital unit to replace the system comes in at five figures. Lots of perks like peals, and funeral tolls as well as memory for some 500 melodies, midi keyboard etc. etc. I have just discovered a source for used church bells (all sizes, all materials) and I think I need to give my parish the option of a real bell. We are not a big church and a real carillon or peal of real bells is totally out of reach. It would simply be silly to consider. We have no tower but have a spot for what some call a ‘mission bell’. My idea right now is that a brass church bell with a pleasant tone would have a lot of integrity and last for generations. It could be tolled very slow for funerals and rung with vigour at the end of a wedding. Tips, suggestions, your best advice? Is a real bell worth it? Quick figures show a real bell would cost less but there will be no melodies or peals! WM

Thanks for the post Vox, I shall take your tip and resort to PM's in the future. I just can't stand having my posts hijacked as so much of that goes on in my 'real life.' I made a few contacts on here over the past while and can get along happily with our little emails back and forth. Thanks for helping me out. WM

"Though presumably this is a matter that can and should be spelt out in detail in the contract?" "two colossal and identical 5-manual drawstop consoles, one at each end of the church." "the voicers of Fisk attended the dedication concert at Lausanne cathedral" YES, this matter has been spelled out in OUR contract. I don't care if there are situations where it cannot be played until the WHOLE organ is complete. Don't want to hear about that. I care only about situations where an instrument has gently been introduced to a congregation bit by bit. A rural congregation used to 30 years of bad electronic organ sound and 6 months of solo piano - will at best be indifferent to the sound of pipes. Some, are vocally against it. (A few who understand, can't wait!) Startling them with a 40 rank instrument, even if played by a master concert organist, on a given Sunday is not human nor wise. Please review John Pike Mandor's response for a wise approach. More thoughts along this line are welcome. NOT! unrelated facts about some five manual and rumors about organ companies spying in Europe. STAY ON TOPIC FOLKS - I really hate this forum for this. I ask a simple question, or look up a topic with the handy search function and have to spend precious time sorting thought a lot of stuff not related to the topic at hand. Simple solution... start your own topic. Check the how-to if you don't know how easy it is to do this. Most of us on here don't even have real names/locations attached to our 'online name' anyways - so if you are trying to show off by appearing intelligent, or projecting yourself into given situations by writing about them, I'm sorry, but I don't care and there are others who share this feeling. .........."Now junior choir, what are the spaces of the treble clef?" she asked. Tom put up his hand, "my dad is getting a boat for his birthday this year." "Very nice Tom, now what are the spaces of the treble clef?"........ WM

John thanks! This is the kind of honest, reality based answer that I was looking for. Not that the previous two posts weren't 'honest'. WM

organbuilder said we can use the ranks that are complete and finished issues of 'accepting the instrument' were worked out before signing the contract only the consultant will 'accept the instrument'

When do you begin using an organ that is being installed in a church? The rector wants to show it off as soon as possible. Say we have the 8' Diapason and 4' Principal ready, voiced and playing... wait until the Great is complete? Would you hold off? Play a suitable manuals only piece for a Postlude? There is a certain desire to ease this congregation into pipes and prove to them that their comfort with electronic was only because they knew of nothing else. Thoughts. WM

Thanks for all the 'great' replies! I emailed an organist (who posts here) and got a great reply. wm

Scott AND Koopman. Now I, have a ticket. WM

Oh thanks, that helps. WM

The man wanted to play Bux. He shouldn't play Bux since there are specialists in "Germany and Holland" who are more "involved". Who would pay for the plane ticket? WM

Quick question. Does the actual sound of a 16' pedal reed come out the top of the resonator (full length)? If you were sitting next to the boot - what do you hear? It has been a long time since I was in a real organ when someone was playing. WM