The Organ Forum

Clarion:

At the very top of the list of those to avoid, would be anyone disguising their true identity with a pseudonym. Considering how many participants on this forum have chosen to disguise their true entity in favour of a pseudonym; there aren't all that many remaining alternatives.

Well, there's nothing wrong with using a pseudonym - it seems right for people to have a choice in the matter. By the way, is "Clarion" your first name or last name? I'm not sure why people should go out of their way to avoid making contact with us - I'm actually a pretty good host! The situation is a bit of a dilemma - something for me to ponder ...

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Soubasse32

I'm not sure if I would be too happy opening up my home to visitors.  My flat is tiny.  The organ takes up half the space!

 But I would happy to participate in a concert or an organ visit.  Perhaps we could start up an Organ Forum chatroom?
 

Clarion:

soubasse32:

Wow... a tropical paradise - now we're talking! 

Paradise? Dream on!

Nassau is anything but a Tropical Paradise! Once you get off of the main tourist strip, you will observe that each and every residence is of necessity, a virtual fortress fortified with half-inch iron bars, surrounded by 7' concrete walls, topped with razor wire!

And they are protecting themselves against what?? Sharks?

 It's what you make of it clarion... Can I ask how many residences you saw with 7 foot perimeters topped with razor wire? I can tell you that there are none in my immediate vicinity. I can only try to offer you a broader perspective... have you seen any other island asides from New Providence? I assume not... Alot of the suburban areas that surround the city centre (or tourist strip as you called it) we call 'over-the-hill' are as you describe. These were built in the 19th century to house freed slaves who worked in the city, they are quite run down and do not lend themselves to the cliche view of Paradise, but they are where people live, work and fulfil their lives. I am sure I can go to New York, Paris or London and find very similar areas. Anyway, I would hazard a guess and say you were here on a cruise ship and had little energy or time to see the rest of the island.

If you do ever return, please do not be so quick to judge! Visit Abaco, Harbour Island, Eleuther or the Exumas - they are easily accesible by Ferry and are quite quaint with beaches that stretch for miles and water as clear as a gem. None the less, I am sorry your visit was not what you expected, but that is what travel is about... taking in a different perspective! I hope one day you will return and leave with a better taste in your mouth - in fact Bahamian food is pretty good, famous of course for our conch.

 

soubasse32:

Do you ever think about meeting fellow Forum members?

Yes, I do think about meeting some of the Forum members and have thought about the information which could be exchanged/shared in person.  In fact, I've met one or two over the phone.  I've even offered to help one Forum member in person, but so far he has not taken me up on the offer as he is involved in the organ repair as a third party.

soubasse32:

Another thought I've had - several of our members live in very interesting, even exotic places.  How I would love to visit some of those locales!

Maine is considered Vacationland  --but for most people that only applies to the summer.  This year, we set an all-time record for the most snow in a winter in Caribou--15 feet (approx. 5 metres for the European contingent of the group).  Obviously, not all at once, but . . . . Just 3 weeks ago, we traveled up there to find our house again.  Could just barely see the eaves over the snowbank by the road!

soubasse32:

How many of you would be happy to spend a bit of time as a sort of 'tour guide' to an out-of-town organist?  Would you even be willing to open your homes to fellow Forum members, perhaps even put someone up for a few nights?  Hopefully it wouldn't happen too often, unless you really enjoy doing such things.

My wife and I originally wanted to start a B&B as musicians, but both locations we've lived in are prohibited by zoning laws.  The hotel/motel owners are on the Planning Board--hmmmmm!  When I have weekends off, I love to see Maine vicariously through others' eyes for the first time.  I also know several places only locals go to.  Everything is just a few hours' drive from us.  We have 3 spare bedrooms and they're almost always empty, but some people don't like the dogs (allergies, etc.).

We also have some historic instruments in this area (3m/?? rank Hook & Hastings--tracker), and some smaller instruments.  Might be able to get one in to play them.

soubasse32:

Don't worry - due to the economy, I'm afraid I'll only be visiting you all via Google Earth for the foreseeable future. 

To piggyback on this idea, what if we had something like a map of visitors to our website (i.e. http://mvydclaptoplunch.wikispaces.com/).  Go to the bottom of the page to the world map, and click on it.  It shows the number of visits to that particular page (called a Cluster Map).  Another variation on this is what Bernie Dodge's WebQuest page used, but cannot seem to locate it any more.  I believe it had something to do with Google Maps Markers when someone was visiting the site.

One drawback, though.  What if there are members you'd rather not have visit you, or you'd rather not give up your privacy to?

Love the idea and would love to participate, but as someone who works for a living, would need to be arranged in advance.

Michael

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Allen Organs (505-B & ADC-6000), Frazee Pipe Organ (2/13 w/chimes),
Pump Organs (Estey, Sears & Roebuck, Mason & Hamlin, Chicago Cottage, Williams & Sons, Angelius, Cornish)
Pianos (Ivers sq. grand ca.1865, Ivers & Pond Upright-1929, Technics SX-PR600)

soubasse32:

Well, there's nothing wrong with using a pseudonym - it seems right for people to have a choice in the matter. By the way, is "Clarion" your first name or last name? I'm not sure why people should go out of their way to avoid making contact with us - I'm actually a pretty good host! The situation is a bit of a dilemma - something for me to ponder ...

No . . . Clarion is not my real name, notwithstanding that my real name is not exactly a mystery to a number of participants. I'm not passing judgement as to whether the use of pseudonyms is good or bad. For sure, when it comes to recreational vehicles, I use my real name, as do most others who wish to be part of the group culture. The use of real names generally represents an intent to be part of the group; whereas use of pseudonyms is generally interpreted as a desire to remain aloof.

This forum encompasses an entirely different culture; and I'm not sure of the best approach to interaction amongst participants. Organists tend to be somewhat less gregarious, not to mention 'weird', than the general population. Ever heard of Dr. Phibes?

Clarion:

Ever heard of Dr. Phibes?

Oh, so you've met my father?

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Soubasse32

I've had the local AGO chapter to my home last fall. It was quite fun. The 5 rank unit organ in my house was interesting to everyone but the BIG fun was all the Hammonds & Leslies in the garage. It is fun to have everyone let down there hair and just make music! And it is more fun for me to see the organs being used.


In terms of future events: Saturday October 25th, 2008 I'm having another Southern Indiana AGO chapter event. ALL are welcome to attend...there was a group photo in the TAO last fall..forget which issue though.... I have a big weanie-roast (weather permitting) and we have a wonderful time. This year should be even more fun if i get those 17 ranks I'm adding to the 5 ranks added!

Oh, the location: It is located near Seymour, Indiana. That is 1 hour south of Indianapolis, Indiana, and one hour north of Louisville, Kentucky.

Anyone is welcome to stop by though with some notice so I can make sure I'm around (I do alot of traveling).

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www.nycfarmboy.com
www.reuter822.com

I'd love to meet more organists sometime, but I live in new mexico and the organ situation isn't exactly impressive.  We have a grand total of one 'real organ' in a church here, the rest being electronic or elecronic hybrids.  Nothing wrong with electronics of course, but it doesn't exactly make the talent flock to the city...

 

Perhaps if/when I go to grad school somewhere I'll get to meet some of you in person. 

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'It isn't that difficult. All one has to do is press all the right keys at the right time and the organ plays itself.'
Yeah RIGHT.

soubasse32:

How many of you would be happy to spend a bit of time as a sort of 'tour guide' to an out-of-town organist?  Would you even be willing to open your homes to fellow Forum members, perhaps even put someone up for a few nights?

I've given this a fair amount of thought; and I think it's the 'few nights' idea that I would regard as a deal breaker!

While we have lots of room, along with a lovely guest bedroom; even when occupied by beloved members of my own family visiting from outta town on warm fuzzy occasions like Christmas; one night at a time is pretty much all we can tolerate.

I don't mind having guests in for a few enjoyable hours; but when the gig involves days, count me out! With guests in the house, your entire life is placed entirely on hold for the duration of their stay.  So your focus becomes one of How can we get them outta here!

As for being a "tour guide", how many of us live in an area that tourists would consider worth exploring. I live close to Toronto. Would I want to take a visitor there? Nope! Toronto is not only boring, but it's dangerous!

 If I'm unwilling to place my life on hold for days at a time for my own kidz, I'm probably not an ideal candidate for your proposal suggesting that I do the same for a total stranger.

Although we travel all over the Continent visiting friends, relatives, and other RVers. Come nightfall, we are always comfortably ensconced in our motorhome for the night!. That kind of schedule tends to work well for everyone!

Notwithstanding, there is no way you can ever win 100% on this forum! While m&m castigates me for spending too much of the Lord's Money on a fine new residential organ; at the other end, you castigate me for allowing something as loathsome as a toaster to enter my house! 

Giggle! You guys are all SO amusing! All of you!

Don't worry...

Somehow I get the feeling that nobody will be coming to visit you... 

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Soubasse32

soubasse32:

Don't worry...

Somehow I get the feeling that nobody will be coming to visit you... 

That's a rather comforting thought! We already have more traffic than we can handle! And for anyone who figures on settling in here for a few days {gasp!} . . . . . 

NYCFarmboy:

Oh, the location: It is located near Seymour, Indiana. That is 1 hour south of Indianapolis, Indiana, and one hour north of Louisville, Kentucky.

Anyone is welcome to stop by though with some notice so I can make sure I'm around (I do alot of traveling).

I do wish I had known about you back in August 2005 when I was making my big auto trip from Texas to Labrador and back.  I spent a full week at a timeshare place in French Lick, Indiana which I suspect cannot be very far from you.  I would have greatly enjoyed spending a couple of hours with you and admiring your instruments.  My playing would not impress you, however.  I have checked where Seymour is, and I actually went to a stock car race in Brownstown.

David

I'd welcome the opportunity to meet others on the forum.  However, that's not very likely to happen, as I don't recall seeing any mention of anyone living anywhere near me (I'm in Colorado).  However, one can hope....

DR 

myorgan:

Maine is considered Vacationland  --but for most people that only applies to the summer.  This year, we set an all-time record for the most snow in a winter in Caribou--15 feet (approx. 5 metres for the European contingent of the group).  Obviously, not all at once, but . . . . Just 3 weeks ago, we traveled up there to find our house again.  Could just barely see the eaves over the snowbank by the road!

Wah ! SNOW! Now that is my ideal vacation, in all honesty the summer can be overwhelmingly hot in this region... Every inch of shade is coveted like an oasis in a desert, from June to late October/early Nov, where the temperature drops again. Another nuissance of summer is the ever present threat of hurricanes and tropical storms! Not to mention the 'load sharing' by the power company which exclusively happens during high summer - no fans, no A/C... Trust me I dread summer... < you will look like this after not more than 15 minutes in midday sun!

At only 21 X 7 miles, I suppose it's a good thing the sea is never more than a 15 minute drive from where ever you are  also a good rule to follow if you get lost - drive straight for 10 minutes, see water and bam! you are back on track!
Anyway, the topic is organs - to be an organist in this country, as my grandfather was, you will have to learn to tolerate occasional power outages in the middle of a hymn or at any point for that matter... in his day this was often! The organ would lose wind and the sound would drift a few keys down as the bellows bottomed out - then no sound at all. The congregation would either keep singing or the Rev. would cut the whole service short and offer a final blessing and everyone would leave before the temperature and tempers got too unbearbale. I will have to get off my *$$ and begin documenting some of The Bahamas' organs - as I can find nothing on the internet that might interest you guys...

From experience with forum meetings on other forums, this isn't as exciting or enlightning as you think. It quickly becomes a meeting of nerds that have only a single topic to discuss. And then they don't want to discuss any other topic either. So not only do they only have a single topic, they tend to become rather hot-headed about it as well. So it all starts very cheery and ends up bitching, shouting and worse very fast.

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