ZION MUSIC:
TASK FORCE UPDATE ON THE CHURCH ORGAN

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Proposed Refurbished Organ

 

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ZION CHURCH ORGAN RESTORATION
Pulling Out All The Stops

SATURDAY March 13, 2010 from 2:30 to 4:30pm

Zion presents a video presentation, "Pulling Out All The Stops" that celebrates the pipe organ and describes the organ building process. Light refreshments will be served. After the video presentation, John Heizer will conduct a tour in the gallery for interested members to see and hear firsthand the existing organ problems.

The Zion organ is a majestic instument with a capacity for great variations of sound and emotion. Yet the process by which air is moved through pipes to produce sound is a mystery to most of us. This is an opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the pipe organ and the craftsmanship required to build such a remarkable instrument. Moreover, it will provide us with an up-close view of the many problems currently existing with Zion's organ and the critical need for it's restoration.

Please join us for an interesting afternoon in support of Zion's organ restoration project. We are looking forward to your attendence and your support of this important undertaking.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP to the church.

 

Please consider making a donation to the Organ Fund.
Luther Rose T-Shirts seen below are for sale to benefit the fund.
Information is available from the Organ Restoration Task Force.

Organ Donation Form

Update from the Organ Restoration Task Force

Psalm 98: 4-6
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth; make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.
Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. 
With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King!”

At Zion Church we make a joyful noise before the Lord in many ways.  Unfortunately Zion’s 1959 organ, our instrument of praise and the heart of our worship experience, is failing. There are over 400 “dead” notes and multiple organ stops that do not function properly.  Many of you attending recent services may have heard the ciphers, those unpredictable “stuck” notes, over which our organist has no control.

One year ago the Church Council requested the Organ Restoration Task Force to review options for the repair or the replacement of Zion’s 1959 Moeller organ.  We recognize that the dollar amounts for an organ of any kind are likely to produce a “sticker shock” reaction.  The committee considered several objective factors other than price alone, including worship and music requirements, maintenance requirements, legacy for the future, investment value, and vendor reliability.  Keeping these factors in mind, the committee came up with four options:

  1. Purchase a new pipe organ:  this option was rejected as too costly.
  2. Purchase digital / electronic organ:  this option was considered less desirable based on the maintenance needs of the computer technology and a short life-expectancy of 15-20 years.  
  3. Rebuild the existing instrument:  The option to rebuild Zion’s organ in its current location became the most feasible choice.  It would involve re-using as much of the pipe work that can be salvaged and installing a new console and new windchests.  Recent communication with Patrick Murphy Organbuilders reflects costs to fall between $550,000-$615,000.
  4. Take no action:  The sad truth is the deterioration of the organ will continue to advance and instead of the spiritual majesty of organ music, there will be silence in the sanctuary.

At the September meeting, the Church Council voted unanimously to endorse the Organ Committee recommendation to rebuild the existing organ.  The committee and the Council feel that we have a responsibility to make the organ a “playable” instrument for the Zion Church of today and tomorrow.  We are set to advance the organ restoration project beyond the discussion phase and commit to action.  We are committed make this project a priority for 2010.  This is our Kick-off.  We must act now because the Organ is failing.

Clearly the committee has a great deal of work ahead.  Our goal is to have a realistic proposal available for presentation at next year’s Congregational Meeting in November 2010.  We are grateful to those individuals who have already contributed to the Organ Fund, currently at $125,000.  Just in this year alone, we have had $9600 in donations without a formal organ drive.  We commend those individuals who have already made the Organ Fund a priority.  Monies designated for the organ include Sour Beef Dinner tips, Luther Seal T-shirt sales and Christkindlmarkt raffle proceeds.
This is the kind of momentum and enthusiasm we welcome! In 2010, education sessions for the congregation will be scheduled to learn more about the organ building process and to see and hear firsthand the existing organ problems.  Look for details in the next newsletter.  I urge you to talk to me or anyone on the committee with your thoughts and ideas.

I sincerely believe that with energy and prayer and faith that we can accomplish this great undertaking, so that Zion Church can continue to “make a joyful noise unto the Lord!”

Blessings to all!  Irene Duerr

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Organ Donation Form

Previously drafted specifications for a working instrument follow:

 GREAT

16                                          Bourdon

8                                             Principal

8                                             Bourdon

8                                             Violone

8                                             Harmonic Flute

4                                             Octave

4                                             Koppelflute

2 2/3                Nazard

2                                             Fifteenth

1 3/5                  Tierce

1 1/3                 Mixture IV

8                                             Trumpet

4                                             Clarion

 

SWELL

16                                          Rohrgedackt

8                                             Geigen

8                                             Rohrflute

8                                             Viole de gambe

8                                             Viole Celeste

4                       Principal

4                       Flauto Traverso

2                       Open Flute

2                                             Mixture III-IV

16                                          Trompette

8                                             Trompette

8                                             Oboe

 

CHOIR

8                                             Gemshorn

8                                             Stopped Diapason

8                                             Erzähler

8                                             Erzähler Celeste

4                       Geigen Octave

4                       Chimney Flute

2                                             Super Octave

1 1/3                 Larigot

1                       Mixture III

8                                             Clarinet

                      Tuba

 

PEDAL

32                                          Subbass

16                                          Contrebasse

16                                          Subbass

16                                          Bourdon

8                                             Principal

8                                             Octave

8                                             Subbass

4                       Octave

4                       Harmonic Flute

2                       Mixture

32                                          Trombone

16                                          Trombone

16                                          Trompette

8                                             Trumpet

4                       Clarion 

 

Organ
Proposed Refurbished Organ

SUPPORT ZION'S ORGAN FUND

The Zion Church Pipe Organ needs a great deal of work to remain in service

Please consider making a donation to the Organ Fund.

Luther Rose T-Shirts seen below are for sale to benefit the fund.

Information is available from the Organ Restoration Task Force.

Luther Rose Emblem

T-Shirt Sale
Luther Rose T-Shirts Sale Benefits The Organ Fund

Organ Donation Form


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