The 1994 American Institute of Organbuilders convention in Indianapolis was
an interesting gathering, a report on which might be of interest to you:
Fort Worth builder Roy A. Redman was elected president. Dennis P. Milnar
of Nashville is vice president and James E. Miller, treasurer, is from
Louisville.
Education for its members gets strong emphasis during AIO conventions.
Lectures this year included a variety of disciplines:
-"Using Solid Woods in Organbuilding: Making Sound Choices," by John Boody.
-"Successful Design Approaches for Unit Organs," panel discussion with
builders Tom Wood, Randall Dyer and Brian Fowler.
-"Mechanical Duplexing," by Michael Bigelow.
-"Organ Structure: Are You Sure It's Safe?" John Seest, structural engineer.
-"MIDI and the Pipe Organ," by Richard Radcliffe.
-"Review of State Sales Taxes, Safety Codes and Licensing," Jack Sievert.
-"Technics for High-Quality Wood Finishing," by Michael Dresdner.
The convention began Sunday with a demonstration of the two fascinating
tracker organs at Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis. In the chancel is a
four-manual Wolff, in a French-inclined eclectic style. In contrast, the
Taylor and Boody gallery organ only speaks German :-). Its werkprinzip
design, held in a beautiful oak case, features foot-operated bellows which
allow the organ to be used totally sans electricity. James Louder, of Helmuth
Wolff et Associes, and John Boody, of Taylor and Boody, introduced their
respective firms' instruments. Both were built during the '90s and are in a
surprisingly small building. (Sorry, lost the handouts on exact dates and
stoplists.)
"Killer Monday had a tightly packed schedule. The morning was devoted to
lectures and a tour of the Goulding and Wood, Inc., organbuilding shop. The
afternoon was devoted to Dr. Frederick Hohman's world of "The Symphonic
Organ and It's Literatur." Dr. Hohman took us on a lively, unabashed romp
through this area of the literature, even donning a horned cap during "Ride
of the Valkyries." The organ was a 3/37 1912 Steere at First Presbyterian
Church, Franklin, IN, rebuilt in 1988 by Goulding and Wood. The spec is
available if anyone is interested.
Monday culminated at First Christian Church, Columbus. The AEolian-Skinner
(opus 993) and the reverberant church building were both built in 1942 and
were each so far ahead of their times they would be considered modern today.
The organ has a big Harrison sound, only moderately changed since 1942. Dr.
Marilyn Kaiser played a stunning recital.
Tuesday's morning and afternoon were taken by lectures, but the evening was
spent taking in the Paramount Pizza Palace's stunning 4-manual Wurlitzer.
Sadly, we were told that the Palace was soon to close after many years in
Indianapolis.
After morning and afternoon lectures, Wednesday ended with the traditional
banquet and awards. A bagpiper appeared to lead the conventioners into the
banquet hall. "Hey, will someone fix those ciphers?" was heard from
someone in the crowd.
More than 20 exhibitors showed their wares, and included all the major
American and European suppliers of pipe organ components. The sounds of
Zimbelsterns, Chimes, electronic 32' units and sample pipes could be heard
continuously. Both Peterson Electro-Musical Products and Solid State Logic,
Inc., conducted seminars on their respective electronic switching, and
combination actions. MIDI systems connected to pipe organs for tone
production and record/playback generated considerable interest.
AIO's next event will be a midyear seminar during February at the C. B. Fisk
works in Gloucester, MA, presented by members of the Fisk and Austin
workshops. David Pike and Casey Dunaway from Fisk will conduct the session
on flue voicing, while Austin's famed reed voicer, David Broome, will
conduct a reed voicing session. The seminar is limited to 15 "hands-on"
participants and another 15 auditors.
The 1995 AIO convention will be in San Jose, CA. I would be happy to provide
information on membership to anyone interested.
Bon Smith
Austin Organ Service Company, Avon, CT
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