June 4, 2011 Renovation Update

Many tasks have been completed so far and below is a list of the items that have been renovated so far.  But do not be fooled by simple terms such as 'cleaning' or 'polishing'.  The act of cleaning or polishing any portion of this instrument is a very time-consuming, intricate and delicate process taking many hours of hard labor. 

*  Monumental cleaning of the entire organ proper: windchests and all the
pipes were cleaned and polished.  This effor took about four months. 

* The console interior including all stops actions and solid state switching
systems were thoroughly cleaned.

 

* The Festival Trumpet En Chamade (61 handmade trumpets of Spun Brass)
was removed, cleaned, polished and reinstalled.



* # 1 Chrysoglott Harp - the 49 metal bars were cleaned, polished and
re-strung.  All the moving parts and actions for each were re-adjusted.

* # 2 Chrysoglott Harp - the 49 metal bars were cleaned, polished and
re-strung.  All the moving parts and actions for each were re-adjusted.

* Enclosed Cathedral Chimes - 25 chime tubes were cleaned and polished.
The chime tubes were re-hung and all the moving parts and actions were
re-adjusted.

* Un-enclosed Cathedral Chimes - 25 chime tubes were cleaned and polished.
The chime tubes were re-hung and all the moving parts and actions were
re-adjusted.

* Outdated acoustic ambience systems were replaced with state-of-the-art
units.
 Now if we all stop for a moment and think about each task above, you may realize that during this process the organ was still being used in Sunday worship for the church, and since space is limited at The Kirk, many parts were removed to a different location for the work to take place.