What’s that sound? Optimal organ acoustic effect! Churches, auditoriums and theaters, concert halls, you name it, all have various dimensions of shapes, sounds; and other architectural elements that can improve or injure the sound of any pipe organ. When building an organ, its placement should be precisely determined. A poorly placed pipe organ can impact… Continue reading Right Place. Right Tone.
With all of the spiritual gifts that the church has to offer, sometimes the church has to be the one to receive! The financial dynamics of religious institutions can be complex but longtime leaders and members understand the need to make ends meet. The pipe organ is often the second largest physical asset of the church after… Continue reading Getting the Gift! (Part I)
Pipe organs are complex instruments and pipe organ construction takes skill and is laborious. They need regular and timely care for robust worship accompaniment. One important maintenance item is the re-leathering of stoppers, particularly of wooden pipes. Re-leathering is a process that includes the removal of worn leather from the pipe organ and replacing it… Continue reading Releathering Pipe Stoppers
Pipe organs are living, breathing instruments that naturally interact with the environment. Changes in temperature and humidity can create calamity for a pipe organ. It is important to carefully manage and encourage the stability of the organ’s environment. Doing so can improve the durability of the instrument and save money for its institution. Improper environmental… Continue reading Don’t Let Climate Create Calamity
The pipe organ has numerous, sometimes thousands, of working components that produce its majestic ranges of sounds. Thus, the king of instruments. The “style of action” is (one of) the pipe organ’s essential inner workings. Action is determined by the functions carried out when a key or pedal is pressed so as to produce sound.… Continue reading Pipe Organ Actions
Computer Aided Design (CAD) is the use of computer-based software to produce designs. It is frequently used by different types of engineers and designers. The software can be utilized to develop two-dimensional drawings and three-dimensional models. Just as with any element of a pipe organ, the construction of a swell box requires skill and precision. Before… Continue reading Computer Aided Design & Building a Swell Enclosure
While the pipe organ may be the king of instruments, it takes a Prince (professional) to find the pea that may be preventing the pipe organ from playing properly. Just like in the old-time folktale, The Princess and the Pea, even the smallest amount of dirt accumulated under a pipe valve can create a frustrating… Continue reading The 3 Ps of Pipes: The Prince(ss), the Pea, the Pipe!
The name “swell” is English in origin, and refers to the practice of placing the pipes of the division in an enclosure which allows the organist to change the dynamic level by closing louvered shades which form one side of the enclosure. Read more on construction of a Swell Enclosure
The CCFM is a group of professionals committed to fulfilling their responsibilities relating to real estate, development, management, and sustainability to ensure efficiency within the Catholic Church. Stay up to date on what’s happening in and around Catholic churches with the CCFM’s biannual newsletter. As members, we are proud to have our projects shared in their… Continue reading Rebuilding a Historic Kilgen Organ for St. Augustine
The CCFM is a group of professionals committed to fulfilling their responsibilities relating to real estate, development, management, and sustainability to ensure efficiency within the Catholic Church. Stay up to date on what’s happening in and around Catholic churches with the CCFM’s biannual newsletter. As members, we are proud to have our projects shared in their… Continue reading Of the Disabled: Restoring a Tracker Pipe Organ for All
