A New Console for the All Saints Organ: A Cornerstone Campaign Update submitted by Jason Overall
01/09/08 10:01 AM
The console, like many of the furnishings of the church, has a checkered past. The woodwork cabinetry dates from an installation John Goulding oversaw at Takoma Park Seventh Day Adventist Church in Maryland. The keyboards first served the Casavant organ that was at Christ Church on the circle before the Moller organ that was then replaced by the Wolff organ that serves the Cathedral now.
The solid-state switching and combination action, an early system with significant limitations, was installed by Larry MacPherson with much volunteer wiring help by Roger Whitehead. The console and control systems, which were state of the art at the time, served the musician of All Saints Church well for many years. Indeed, how many people keep the same computer at home or work for twenty years?
As the console began rebelling more and more, Tom Honderich began exploring options with the blessing of Fr. Steven. At the time, discussion centered on replacing the computer controls, but cost consideration prevented any thought of replacing the console itself. Through an extremely fortunate turn of events, Goulding & Wood came into possession of a console it supplied for Loyola University in Chicago, and the company was in a position to pass along the console for a small fraction of what a new one would cost. Indeed, while the $45,000.00 price tag for this project raised some questions during the evaluation of the Cornerstone Campaign (and rightly so), it pales in comparison to the more than $125,000.00 it would have cost had the console been all new. The vestry quickly endorsed this singular opportunity to address a preexisting problem with a providential solution.
After much planning and waiting (including Christmas Eve 2006 with its embarrassing forte intonation of the Lord's Prayer), the installation of the console is now underway. Members of the Goulding & Wood staff have been working on the console, preparing it for the All Saints organ, since December. On Tuesday 8 January, a crew of six made the console swap, removing the old and installing the new. Paul Greatbatch even documented the move with some photos of the work in progress. Over the next three weeks, the entire organ will be completely rewired, bringing the electrical systems in line with current codes.
The organ itself isn't undergoing any changes, thus it won't sound any different. By the same token, the control systems will once again be reliable, so unexpected changes in the stops playing won't create disruptions. In addition, greater changes in sounds will be possible, so that hymn accompaniments can be more creative, choral accompaniments more sensitive, and solo literature more exciting. The sound of the organ won't change, but organists will be able to access the variety of sounds as never before.
The musicians of the parish appreciate the support the entire congregation continues to show us. We ask for your patience for the next two weeks, knowing that absence makes the heart grow fonder. We look forward to a new chapter in the history of the organ at All Saints Church.
