TESTING CONTENT POSTING From ZOho WRITER The post Test appeared first on Leek Pipe Organs ..read more

Pipe organs are classical and traditional instruments that have survived through the ages due to the diligence and passion of the people who play, build, and maintain them. However, even if their size and rarity may fool you into thinking that these instruments exist today completely apart from technological advancement, that could not be further from the truth. Attract and retain musical talent with an updated organ! Every organist today, in addition to the choreography of registration, and learning how to play the instrument well, is now equipped with an array of features l ..read more

“The most complex of all musical instruments, tracker pipe organs work mechanically rather than electronically. When the organist depresses keys, a complex set of wood and metal arms and levers is activated, opening valves that allow air to rush through the pipes — much like human breath makes a whistle operate — and with similar variations in tone. In the words of organist William Elliott, with this instrument the way you press the key influences how that pipe speaks. It is as one organist said … like having the wind at your fingertips.”* What makes a Tracker Pipe Organ ..read more

Pipe organs are living, breathing instruments that naturally interact with the environment. Changes in temperature and humidity can create calamity for a pipe organ. It is important to carefully manage and encourage the stability of the organ’s environment. Doing so can improve the durability of the instrument and save money for its institution. Improper environmental control can lead to utility bills and extra services for damages to the institution. Temperature vs. Pitch Like any wind instrument, a pipe organ’s pitch varies with temperature. When tuning a pipe organ, its pitch must be determ ..read more

Pipe organs are complex instruments and pipe organ construction takes skill and is laborious. They need regular and timely care for robust worship accompaniment. One important maintenance item is the re-leathering of stoppers, particularly of wooden pipes. Re-leathering is a process that includes the removal of worn leather from the pipe organ and replacing it with newly fitted leather. This process can be extremely tedious, time-consuming, and requires diligence. Why re-leather pipe organ stoppers? Wooden pipe stoppers are used to maintain the right amount of pressurized air within a pi ..read more

The pipe organ has numerous, sometimes thousands, of working components that produce its majestic ranges of sounds. Thus, the king of instruments. The “style of action” is (one of) the pipe organ’s essential inner workings. Action is determined by the functions carried out when a key or pedal is pressed so as to produce sound. Of four common actions, the tracker action and electro-pneumatic action are the two most widely used today. Tracker action demo Graphics courtesy of Hardman Wulitzer Electro-pneumatic action demo Graphics courtesy of Hardman Wulitzer Tracker Org ..read more

Computer Aided Design (CAD) is the use of computer-based software to produce designs. It is frequently used by different types of engineers and designers. The software can be utilized to develop two-dimensional drawings and three-dimensional models. Just as with any element of a pipe organ, the construction of a swell box requires skill and precision. Before we could begin building this customized swell box, we enlisted our design/mechanical engineer to create technical drawings to ensure its accuracy in structure and function. How many pages of CAD does it take to build a swell ..read more

While the pipe organ may be the king of instruments, it takes a Prince (professional) to find the pea that may be preventing the pipe organ from playing properly. Just like in the old-time folktale, The Princess and the Pea, even the smallest amount of dirt accumulated under a pipe valve can create a frustrating ordeal for any organist. A Prince is essential for locating and removing the dirt to help the pipe organ play appropriately. Pipe organs play at their optimal potential when they are maintained. When a pipe, or valve, is too dirty, it can create a “stuck note,” better known as a cip ..read more

The purpose of the Swell division, of any pipe organ, is to create dynamic expression. Tonal flexibility and power for musical expression of the stops/ranks in the Swell Division is manifested by the addition of the Swell enclosure. In early 2021, St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church (Hubbard, OH) caught fire. With great faith, the parishioners did not let the tragedy break their spirits. And in their time of need, they sought our team to rebuild one of the church’s largest assets – the pipe organ. As part of this total pipe organ restoration, our technicians have been hard at work, d ..read more

The CCFM is a group of professionals committed to fulfilling their responsibilities relating to real estate, development, management, and sustainability to ensure efficiency  within the Catholic Church. Stay up to date on what’s happening in and around Catholic churches with the CCFM’s biannual newsletter.  As members, we are proud to have our projects shared in their Fall edition. Click here to read the entire newsletter The post Rebuilding a Historic Kilgen Organ for St. Augustine appeared first on Leek Pipe Organs ..read more