Only 12 Days Remaining to Reach $40K Challenge Goal
Trinity
Only 12 more days remain to reach the $40K challenge goal from the Shaeffers by the December 1. As of today, we have received exactly $25,520 with promises of $2,250 more before month’s end. I must ask everyone who is able to consider helping us obtain $12,230 more in order to reach the $40K goal. Every gift received is doubled and enables us to achieve this milestone for the organ restoration project. Thank you to everyone who has already made an enduring contribution to Trinity’s Casavant pipe organ. This is a once in 50+ year opportunity. Importantly, know that some of the problems being resolved now will not need to be repeated in future years. Only perishable materials and voicing will be necessary approximately 50+ years from now.
The latest progress update from Joseph Rotella of Spencer Organ Company is that the Swell division reed stops are now completely restored and re-voiced. The Swell reeds include an 8ft. Trompette, 4ft. Hautbois (Oboe), and 16ft. Basson (Bassoon), 61 notes each. The Festival Trumpet, (the gift of Norman and Elizabeth Lyster in memory of their family) is also finished. The 16ft. Soubasse pipes (square, stopped wooden pipes) have been wiped down and waxed. The wooden stoppers at the top of the Soubasse pipes have been re-leathered as the leather deteriorated and no longer held the stoppers in place for tuning purposes. The layout for the console stop knobs and coupler rail is now agreed upon, which was necessary for the next step in rebuilding the console. The new solid-wood shade fronts for the Choir Division are enroute to Jim Steinborn for final assembly. Clearly, we are accomplishing established goals, and it is gratifying to know the step-by-step improvements and repairs to the organ are resolving long-term problems and returning the organ to a like-new state.
Note the following corrections have been made, the correct spelling of the last name our donors of the $40K Challenge gift is Shaeffer, vice Schaeffer. Our angels are Charles and Thelma Shaeffer. Also, in a prior article I wrongly stated the year of Trinity’s explosion and fire downtown. The correct year is 1964, vice 1966. Thank you to Thelma for noting these mistakes.
-Ray Quick