Well, Terry and Kurt have been ready to rehearse since Sunday but the organ doesn't want to play. First is was the relay switches for the memory, now it appears to be a mother-board issue with the digital portion of the instrument. Hoping to be able to get something working by Saturday.
We are so excited to have the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts with us at the concert, along with Dunedin Mayor Eggers and a representative from Gus Bilirakis' office. We are expecting a full house on Saturday. When was the last time we were all able to enjoy a concert with a full house? the last time was when Kurt and Terry played in March. The house was pretty full then. So tell your friends and be ready when the doors open at 1:00 p.m. This is sure to be a monumental event - now if we can just get The Grand Duchess Organ to get in the game.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Memories
Most of us have done it - found a box of forgotten photos and spent hours walking down memory lane. Photos are a unique tool to remind us and to also tell a story, a history, and a heritage. Terry Charles has been going through his collection of photos and found these two contrasting ones. The first one is the first console of the Grand Duchess - four manuals, and considerably less stop tabs than the upgrade. The second photo shows the difference.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
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.
* 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.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
THE DUCHESS GETS A FACELIFT
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS, COME ON, COME ALL, AND SEE THE MAGNIFICENT GRAND DUCHESS AS SHE UNVEILS HER NEW FACELIFT.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
May 19, 2011
Much work has been taking place around The Kirk and indeed around the country to prepare for the much anticipated patriotic celebration entitled, Freedom Rings from the Pipes of the Kirk.
This event, on June 25th will begin with a wonderful picnic on the grounds from 11:00 - 1:00 (free to those who donate at the door and attend the concert). The concert doors will open at 1:00 and the concert starts at 2:00 p.m.
We have several surprises in store for you including...oh maybe I shouldn't tell you..it would ruin the surprise...it's taken many long hours of work...late in to the night...
Well, you will have to attend to see what we're talking about :-)
This event, on June 25th will begin with a wonderful picnic on the grounds from 11:00 - 1:00 (free to those who donate at the door and attend the concert). The concert doors will open at 1:00 and the concert starts at 2:00 p.m.
We have several surprises in store for you including...oh maybe I shouldn't tell you..it would ruin the surprise...it's taken many long hours of work...late in to the night...
Well, you will have to attend to see what we're talking about :-)
Friday, May 13, 2011
May 13, 2011
We are in all speed ahead mode as we are focused on the big patriotic concert in May entitled, "Freedom Rings from the Pipes of the Kirk"...
Soon we'll have some amazing photos of a tremendous transformation you just are not going to believe. What we will do for publicity! You will LOVE it. That's all we'll say about it right now.
We hope you have already marked your calendars for June 22. We will have a picnic for all the concert goers from 11:00 - 1:00 that day, the artists arrive at 1:00 and the doors open up to the concert. The concert starts at 2:00.
AND A VERY SPECIAL SURPRISE....
and since we're not that good at keeping secrets we're going to tell you what it is...the much awaited CD and a DVD of Terry Charles and Kurt Danskin! It is actually going to be here and YOU have the chance to pre-order it at a discount price on June 25th.
We will ALSO have a CD of the concert available about 15 minutes afterwards. Ahhh...the marvel of technology! So mark your calendars and get ready!
Soon we'll have some amazing photos of a tremendous transformation you just are not going to believe. What we will do for publicity! You will LOVE it. That's all we'll say about it right now.
We hope you have already marked your calendars for June 22. We will have a picnic for all the concert goers from 11:00 - 1:00 that day, the artists arrive at 1:00 and the doors open up to the concert. The concert starts at 2:00.
AND A VERY SPECIAL SURPRISE....
and since we're not that good at keeping secrets we're going to tell you what it is...the much awaited CD and a DVD of Terry Charles and Kurt Danskin! It is actually going to be here and YOU have the chance to pre-order it at a discount price on June 25th.
We will ALSO have a CD of the concert available about 15 minutes afterwards. Ahhh...the marvel of technology! So mark your calendars and get ready!
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