PUMC Organ Project Part 2

Organ Project Continues

What began on June 10 as a project that was thought would last a couple of weeks continues into July. Delayed by a few days due to a needed procedure by organ restorer Nick, the “removal crew” was called again  by project leader Jan to remove the front bank of organ pipes on the pulpit side of the organ chambers on July 2.  By this time Nick had restored all of the pipes at the back of the chamber as well as the Carillon. Carefully Nick on this date removed each individual pipe and handed each to someone standing in the choir area who then would pass the pipe to another until they reached the boxes spread across the pews in the sanctuary. Carefully the pipes were laid there by Carol and Betty in different boxes labeled Viola, Trumpette, Flute and Mixed. Some of the pipes were several feet long and others were as small as a pencil. Some of the pipes were uniquely built to fit into the organ chamber under a slanting roof. The Flute section was primarily, but not completely made up of pipes, made from mahogany. The Trumpette were different in that they had what looked like whistles on top of the main pipe. Those attachments if we weren’t careful could fall off.

Once all of the pipes that were to be removed the floor of the organ chamber was exposed showing what appeared to be plywood with holes that were the size of the specific pipes that had been removed. The holed plywood gives support to the pipes that would attach to the main instrument below this floor. The wooden pipes were additionally held in place by thin ropes that would help to hold them upright.

While dirt and grime could be seen and felt as we passed the pipes from one to another, this time we actually saw a number of pipes that over the years had sustained damage from denting or the effects of heat and cold on expansion and contraction of the metals in and around the pipes.

Once the pipes on this side of the chancel are restored it will be the other side, near the organ, that needs have the grill work removed and the pipes on that side removed and restored.

When Peoples people are not present, Nick has his daughter and another gentleman working with him to clean, restore and test sound. Those who have worked on the project can see how painstaking the process can be. The promise of restoration is that the organ will operate as if it were brand new and be improved in tonal quality for years to come.

Helping on this part of the project were Carol, Betty, Jan, Rosemary, Art, Brad, Dave and Keith.