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So you're an organist, but what do you REALLY do?

Last post 12-16-2008, 4:42 PM by Dave S.. 67 replies.
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  •  03-03-2008, 10:02 AM 49714 in reply to 49706

    Re: So you're an organist, but what do you REALLY do?

    "A Johannus toaster" - how many slots on that model? 2,3, or 4?

    Is there a tambourine in the Tamburini?

    Does it come equipped with 'espresso' spouts and a steam machine for that early morning caffe latte?

    Sorry for my being so facetious - I had to play too many weddings this weekend - more than I care to count - therefore my silliness today. < : - ? 

    Ciao Bella

  •  03-03-2008, 6:47 PM 49734 in reply to 49714

    Re: So you're an organist, but what do you REALLY do?

    Kéraulophone:
    Sorry for my being so facetious - I had to play too many weddings this weekend - more than I care to count - therefore my silliness today. < : - ? 

    They must have been defective weddings.  You're still single!?Cool


    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)
  •  03-04-2008, 1:13 AM 49756 in reply to 49734

    Re: So you're an organist, but what do you REALLY do?

    Hey guy,

    I am seriously involved with a gal who shares my love for excellent organ music - yes, them wedding bells are right around the corner  < ; - D

    Nah, they weren't defective weddings - just too many because I had to fill in for colleagues who went on a sick-out  < ; - D 

    Cheers,

    K-Phone 

  •  03-04-2008, 10:17 AM 49770 in reply to 49714

    Re: So you're an organist, but what do you REALLY do?

    Kéraulophone:
    Is there a tambourine in the Tamburini? Does it come equipped with 'espresso' spouts and a steam machine for that early morning caffe latte?

    I did a little "shaking & rattling" Big Smile on this Tamburini myself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vWUKDopg-g

    [edit] No, that is not me in the video.  Big Smile  It is Padre Marcelo Martiniano Ferreira - one of the nicest guys you will ever meet.


    Soubasse32
  •  03-05-2008, 2:04 PM 49846 in reply to 49770

    Re: So you're an organist, but what do you REALLY do?

    I wanted to be a supper club organist back when I was a teenager.  However I lack that skill that allows one to just play anything they request by ear.  I chose to major in art instead of music which garanteed me a lifetime of low paid employment.  I did take lessons a few years in high school and college.  I went back to school in my 40's for a graduate degree in library science.  Now I work as an adult services librarian. 

    Organist, I suppose so.  I'm the only one at my Baptist church who plays it.  No pay but perhaps they should because they can't keep a pianist.  I don't play well enough to be paid much. 

    I'm also a trombone player in a community band and I play bass in a gospel group for a nursing home.  Neither position pays but I do it because I want to.  I'm hoping that music will take a bigger place in my life especially when I retire in about ten years.


    Mark Pratt

    Hammond 820 at church
    Gulbransen President at home
    Conn 628 Rhapsody gone
  •  03-05-2008, 5:53 PM 49855 in reply to 49770

    Re: So you're an organist, but what do you REALLY do?

    Hi Soubasse32,

    Thanx for the 'revelation' on the Tamburini - what a privilege you had - was it very out of tune when you played the first chords on the chorus reeds?  

    Cheers,

    K-Phone 

  •  03-05-2008, 6:02 PM 49859 in reply to 49846

    Re: So you're an organist, but what do you REALLY do?

    Hi Mark,

    Congrats on being a trombone player.  If one is proficient enough there are always gigs available.  "Adult Services Librarian" - ummm - errrrr ...such an 'unfortunate' title for a job with books < ; - D

    Besides subbing for organ colleagues and my wedding gigs, I also play a Contrabass Trombone in F with twin star-valves made by the German firm of Thein.  I easily use it as a bass trombone too.

    Cheers,

    K-Phone 

  •  03-05-2008, 11:45 PM 49870 in reply to 49855

    Re: So you're an organist, but what do you REALLY do?

    Kéraulophone:
    Thanx for the 'revelation' on the Tamburini - what a privilege you had - was it very out of tune when you played the first chords on the chorus reeds?

    Yep.  Rio was sweltering when I was there, and I seem to recall some exterior windows and doors were open around the Basilica.  Pigeons and other birds were flying around, so I imagine it would be a nightmare to keep such a large instrument in tune and maintained.


    Soubasse32
  •  03-06-2008, 7:23 AM 49878 in reply to 49870

    Re: So you're an organist, but what do you REALLY do?

    Hi Soubasse32,

    I have been to Rio and know of the sweltering climate there.  Say, with all them birds flying around inside there must be alot of bird-poop inside the case and probably often down inside the reed resonators.  Maybe a couple of stuffed owls strategically placed here and there inside the case will cause the other birds to 'vacate' their bowels elsewhere. < ; - D

    Cheers,

    K-Phone 

  •  03-06-2008, 11:23 PM 49910 in reply to 49870

    Re: So you're an organist, but what do you REALLY do?

    soubasse32:

    Kéraulophone:
    Thanx for the 'revelation' on the Tamburini - what a privilege you had - was it very out of tune when you played the first chords on the chorus reeds?

    Yep.  Rio was sweltering when I was there, and I seem to recall some exterior windows and doors were open around the Basilica.  Pigeons and other birds were flying around, so I imagine it would be a nightmare to keep such a large instrument in tune and maintained.



    We have exactly the same problem - temperatures can soar to as high as about 45 degrees here in the summer months, meaning that many organs become terribly out of tune. Do the churches bother to get them tuned? Some chance....
  •  03-07-2008, 12:43 AM 49912 in reply to 49910

    Re: So you're an organist, but what do you REALLY do?

    That is 113 degrees, Fahrenheit - oh my goodness!

    Is it also humid there?  That would be the limit, for me.

    Perhaps it is a good thing you are leaving.  Tongue Tied

    Organs just can't sound good with those sorts of temperature swings.  I wouldn't want to tune an organ in that kind of heat, either.


    Soubasse32
  •  03-07-2008, 6:42 AM 49916 in reply to 49910

    Re: So you're an organist, but what do you REALLY do?

    Good grief, tumult. That is HOT!

    Yes, it can get quite hot here with the humidex and all that, BUT what you've got is really hot! You probably have to literally peel yourself off of the organ bench, getting all stuck as you try to play something with your feet. One could probably lose some weight through sweat alone by playing in your conditions.

    I remember once I was at a church that was air conditioned which was nice for the folks in the pews but of no use to the choir and I up in the balcony. The air conditioning never got to us.

    As for cold, we'll out here it gets VERY cold. The winter here has been absolutely relentless and merciless.

    I once played in a beautiful old church in the middle of winter when the boiler broke down. It was out of commission for about 1-1/5 months. The church was FREEZING. I had to have choir practices at someone's home. When it came time for the service, we wore our coats and I had heaters for the choir. My fingers were stiff.

    But you know you have a really amazing and dedicated choir when they still show up and stick with it even when it's that COLD.

    ...surprisingly, when I helped the builder tune the organs, they held out pretty good considering the arctic temperatures we had to deal with!

    I'll always love that church though. It's such a shame it's closed down now. Everyone in that church fell victim to nasty top down politics. But that's another kettle of fish altogether.

  •  03-07-2008, 7:24 AM 49919 in reply to 48772

    Re: So you're an organist, but what do you REALLY do?

    I'm an internal auditor for an oil company.  Our team reviews the IT systems.  It's great work but the travel schedule really messes with my practice times.

    Nothing like walking into a strange church and asking the pastor "Hey, I'm a complete stranger but would you trust me with your organ for a few hours this week?"

    I'm home taught but I'm confident enough in my abilities that if I full time position came up I'd go for it.  That would be pretty awesome to do nothing but play music all day (or teach/conduct/etc).  As long as I didn't have to sing.  I can't sing to save my life.

  •  03-07-2008, 7:38 AM 49923 in reply to 49919

    Re: So you're an organist, but what do you REALLY do?

    Hey K-phone,

    I'm playing a Benge 165F trombone, 547 bore.  Adult Services Librarian is the title that the City uses.  It doesn't sound to glamous.  Sometines I think the position is about half social worker because my branch is in a low income area.  After dealing with low rates of computer literacy and patrons who only want movies all day its nice to have music in my life.  In fact I met the people from the gospel band while at work one day. 


    Mark Pratt

    Hammond 820 at church
    Gulbransen President at home
    Conn 628 Rhapsody gone
  •  03-07-2008, 12:18 PM 49940 in reply to 49923

    Re: So you're an organist, but what do you REALLY do?

    Hi Mark,

    Cool instrument you play.  You are probably very right in your assumption about your position being partly a social worker job.  Cities and Municipalities these days can get quite 'creative' when trying to balance the books.

    Cheers,

    K-Phone 

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