Have you enjoyed the excitement around the opening
of the Severance organ as much as I have? Newspaper, radio,
and TV stories, all with descriptions of pipes, ranks, and consoles
in superlatives! The opening concerts are sold out. Attention
is being lavished on the instrument such as not been seen in
these parts. The pipe organ is "cool!"
I was fortunate enough to attend the gala concert
and the opening Saint-Saens Organ Symphony concert. I was unfortunate
in having to sit on the main floor under the overhang for the
gala. Thomas Trotter is one of the most brilliant and engaging
organists around. His program was fabulous and the brass of
the orchestra first-rate. But from where I sat the organ was
muffled and easily out-played by the brass. For the orchestra
concert of this past week, we sat in our usual upper balcony
seats. I waited through the first half of the concert and three
movements of the Saint Saens wondering if the organ would be
loud enough. Happily, that great C-Major chord, at least from
my seat, was truly great.
The Skinner Organ has been faithfully restored
by the Schantz organ company to its original voicing. It has
many beautiful sounds, and the divisions seem perfectly balanced
within themselves. The sound fits beautifully with the persona
of that wonderful hall.
I hope you are taking advantage of the reflected
glory of this event in your own situation. The spill-over of
interest in all organ doings gives us an opportunity to interest
our congregations, potential concert-goers and students in our
work. Use your opportunity well!
Fern Jennings
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