Acoustically Speaking

I've had a couple of conversations yesterday with our organ builder advisers and one of the architects for the new church building. The CDC (Church Development Committee) is using the services of a sound engineer to help them come up with the best possible acoustics for the new building. I think this is an excellent move since acoustics is so key in a church building both from the perspective of speakers and musicians as well as the listening congregation. One of the things the sound engineer is looking at, using a sophisticated computer modelling program, is the optimum placement for the pipe organ. Is it the back or the front, for example. The sound engineer was looking for the acoustical output of the organ, for example, to factor in. While some of us may have our preferences (and biases) towards placement, we'll have to await the results of the study and then as committee we'll consult with both engineer and architect on a final decision. Should prove to be an interesting exercise. If anyone has particular thoughts or insights on this issue, would like to hear it.

Adopt-a-Pipe - please!

Would you like to help us realize our goal of having our own organ installed in our new church building?
Here's your opportunity! For as little as $25.00, you can 'adopt' a pipe and help build our organ. Our organ has about 2,000 pipes in all, from very small to very large. Our fundraising goal is $50, 000. If you, or anyone you know, would like to become a part of this project, please consider making an 'adoption'. Your contribution will be acknowledged with a tax receipt (if you live in Canada) and an invitation to come and listen to your pipe(s) or rank(s) in due time when the organ is installed.
Please mark 'Organ Project' on your cheque. Make out the cheque in the name of 'Canadian Reformed Church of Aldergrove' and send it to PO Box 809, Aldergrove, BC V4W 2V1 and put Organ Project on the outside of the envelope.
We'll keep you posted from time to time and let you know how many 'adoptions' we receive!

Console

This is a picture of the console as it was situated in its original place in Toronto.

Organ specifications

For those who have an interest in this kind of thing, the following are some detailed specifications for the organ which we have acquired for our new church. Some of these may change once we install the organ, depending on the space limitations and other considerations.

Aldergrove Canadian Reformed Church

34 RANK PIPE ORGAN

REISNER/SHAW SOLID STATE

COMBINATION CAPTURE ACTION

MEMORY A & B

2 x 9 GENERALS

MANUAL PRESETS 2 x 3 SW – PED

MANUAL PRESETS 2 x 3 GR – PED

GREAT – STRAIGHT ORGAN

SWELL – STRAIGHT ORGAN


GREAT

Principal 8’
Stopped Diapason 8’
Dulciana 8’
Gemshorn 4’
Octave 4’
Nachthorn 4’
Open Flute 4’
Metal Flute 4’
Quint 2 2/3’
Fifteenth 2’
Block Flute 2’
Mixture III
Fagot 8’
Tremelo
GR to GR 4’

SWELL

Geigen Principal 8’
Rohrflute 8’
Gamba 8’
Celeste 8’
Prestant 4’
Fugara 4’
Quintadeen 4’
Twelfth 2 2/3’
Piccolo 2’
Tierce 1 3/5’
Nazard 1 1/3’
Sifflote 1’
Scharff III
Trumpet 8’
Oboe 8’
Vox Humana 8’
Clarinet 8’
Tremelo
SW to SW 4’

PEDAL
Bourdon 16’
Gedeckt 16’
Octave 8’
Holzbourdon 8’
Choral Bass 4’
Fagot 16’
Fagot 8’
Trumpet 8’
Trumpet 4’

COUPLERS
Swell to Great 16’
Swell to Great 8’
Swell to Great 4’
Swell to Pedal 8’
Swell to Pedal 4’
Great to Pedal 8’
Great to Pedal 4’

Project Update - Organ has arrived!

The organ was dismantled at the end of August and then trucked to BC. It is currently in storage until such time as we can start assembling it once more in our new church building. We don't have a projected start date for that just yet. In the meantime, we're making plans for the location and installation of the instrument and fundraising to cover the costs of the project.
Check back here for more information on how you can become a part of this project as well.