*Sigh* - No, you do it, too

[document]

I'm really excited because my church approved my proposal for an organ modernization project. I'm upgrading our organ. Part of the $78,000 project is to take $3,000 a bring in a guest organist for a dedicatory concert in conjunction with the local AGO chapter. It is customary to have a dedicatory concert when you build or upgrade an organ, as they are unique. No two are the same.

So, I told my friend in excitement and he said something along the lines of:

I guess I have a hard time with your church, our church doesn't need to do things like that.

*Sigh*

I explained that when the conference center organ was made, they rushed the completion so it would be ready for the AGO regional convention, where the dedicatory concert was held. I also said that our local church (the one with a pipe organ) featured a concert by Frank Asper and the organ itself was dedicated by Gordon Hinckley. He said he didn't believe it.

So, I went home, grabbed my book on the history of our stake, and scanned the picture of Frank Asper sitting at the console on the local stake center and sent it to him with our then stake organist and Gordon Hinckley.

I got a message back that said,

Why are you trying so hard to prove me wrong? The church is still true no matter what.

Ummm.....I wasn't trying to prove it false?

In fact, I think it is rather cool that the local stake has hosted more organ recitals from big names in recent years than any of the other churches in the area. The local leadership likes showing off their organ, and while it isn't the best organ, it is a decent instrument and they have increased interest in organ music in the area. I've worked with them on several occasions as the dean of the local AGO chapter to bring in names and split the cost of organist fees for concerts.

Apparently, I hit a nerve. It was a good reminder that a lot of people have a strange relationship with the institutional church that can prove quite shaky. It is different for everyone. Having an institution that is "true" is tricky business, I guess.

[Mormorrisey]

Boy, this hits a nerve with me too. They just can't see that the church acts like other churches, and has the same problems, concerns and foibles. Last year in Gospel Doctrine we had the "churches built up to get gain" lesson, and lots of mentions of the Cathlolic Church and their ornate structures. I wanted to scream but what about our temples? WHAT ABOUT THE SHOPPING MALL? In hindsight I should have mentioned this, because I got released a few weeks later.

But it's crazy how they can clearly see the mote about other churches, yet the beam remains tightly lodged about the actions of their own corporation. More proof today from your story!

[MoPag]

I think lots of TBMs like to kind of vilify other churches because it makes them feel better about the LDS church. They can get a self-righteous high by thinking that their church doesn't need flashy concerts; that's something those worldly churches do. I'm glad you had a book on the history of your stake so you could show him the truth. The truth was probably a buzz kill for his self-righteous high; which is why he reacted the way he did.

That's awesome about your new organ! Post pics when you have them.

[ulmite]

As an organist, I'm very happy you got the funds to upgrade your instrument! Does upgrading mean tuning, reharmonizing, rebuilding the console, adding stops, or something else?

[Corsair]

Congratulations on the organ upgrade. Few LDS churches have a real pipe organ any longer after the cost cutting of the last few decades. The building in my home town had a very nice pipe organ used to this day. My mother loves church music and always loved having a real pipe organ in her home ward.

[GoodBoy]

"The church is true, no matter what." There is no arguing with that. When their brain is impenetrable, and no amount of evidence will change their minds... then talking to them about anything is just a waste of time and effort. It seems like your friend WANT's it to be an "us vs. them", and he's putting you into the "them" category. Sorry the world is filled with close-minded terds.

Please let us know when the dedicatory concert is! I'll try to come.

[document]

As an organist, I'm very happy you got the funds to upgrade your instrument! Does upgrading mean tuning, reharmonizing, rebuilding the console, adding stops, or something else?

We tune annually.

This is a console modernization, so we are ripping out the existing point-to-point wiring and mechanical combination action and replacing it with a solid state system. Additionally, the original builder (now out of business) built the manuals using a spring that no one else uses. I've tried to find the exact match and tension, but have been unsuccessful. They break about 1 every year or so and I'm down to one. So, new manuals.

I'll be most happy about getting rid of the mechanical combination action, because that will allow me to have multiple banks for my presets. I'm also expanding the toe pistons from 11 currently to 22. I'm going to put 10 generals and a "next / previous" set on the left, my five pedal generals, a few reversibles (including one for my zimbelstern), and a sfz piston.

The new computer will have a preset bank of 256 and a thumb drive recorder. So, when I'm going on a vacation, I pre-record my hymns and the choir director will play them off the thumb drive.

Excitement!!!

[document]

It's a Balcom and Vaughn 1972 organ with 13 ranks (after an expansion). When they designed it they went for rank extensions, allowing us a greater range on every rank. I can couple anything up 4' or down 16'. That gives the instrument a tremendous amount of versatility. For the relatively small space, it is a really fun instrument to play.

The only wish I have is that it had a Trompette as well as a Hautbois, but hey, beggars can't be choosy.

The vestry did promise that if they extend the sanctuary, they will give me another division.

[Korihor]

Document - Admit it, you left the church just so you could play with your organ.

I can understand the plight with your 'friend', it;s like mormons are vampires, they can't see themselves in the mirror in the same situation.
But I'm glad you're getting some deserved upgrades to your organ and santuary(no innuendo implied). I still love the sound of an organ in a large hall, there's just something about it that's powerful and moving.

[Give It Time]

The merry-go-round was my favorite playground apparatus, as a child.

So, let me get this straight. You paid the stake and President Hinckley a compliment by showing church participates in a pretty wonderful tradition. That the church doesn't hide under a bushel and opens its doors to share something beautiful with the community and your trying to prove the church wrong?

Wheeeeeeee! Vertigo!

[ulmite]

Document - Admit it, you left the church just so you could play with your organ.

I'd leave if I got my own pipe organ!

[Silver Girl]

Document - Admit it, you left the church just so you could play with your organ.

I can understand the plight with your 'friend', it;s like mormons are vampires, they can't see themselves in the mirror in the same situation.
But I'm glad you're getting some deserved upgrades to your organ and santuary(no innuendo implied). I still love the sound of an organ in a large hall, there's just something about it that's powerful and moving.

I almost thought twice about posting this, but I figured your post made it okay to share this:

True Story - Several Years Ago: A friend of mine lived in the same neighborhood where a guy who built pipe organs as a hobby lived. The guy's wife was very well known in the city, so a lot of people were aware of his hobby. One day, my friend and the other neighbors in that area got hand-delivered invitations from the wife that said: "Several people have asked me about my husband's hobby, and we would like to share it with you. Please drop by our house next Sunday afternoon and he will show you his partially erect organ."

[document]

For a while there for those of you who were friends with me on Facebook, I got tired of constant "Singles" ads, so I put myself in a relationship with my organ.

[Random]

True Story - Several Years Ago: A friend of mine lived in the same neighborhood where a guy who built pipe organs as a hobby lived. The guy's wife was very well known in the city, so a lot of people were aware of his hobby. One day, my friend and the other neighbors in that area got hand-delivered invitations from the wife that said: "Several people have asked me about my husband's hobby, and we would like to share it with you. Please drop by our house next Sunday afternoon and he will show you his partially erect organ."

Totally dying here. Written gaffes are soo funny.