Ready to Play

This week saw the conclusion of installation, and we are ready to play the organ starting this Sunday evening at a special Solemn Vespers celebrating the dedication of our new stone altar and the re-dedication of our church. On Monday evening our bishop will preside at the Mass of Dedication. 


The end of the week was bitter-sweet as we looked forward to the use of this incredible instrument but also realized we were soon to say goodbye to the amazing experience of installing such an organ, as well as goodbye, for now, to some new dear friends, Mary-William, Kathy, Bill, Debi, Pat, Steve, and Chuck. They all were the hardest working people in Fredericksburg for the past ten weeks. In any major installation there will be challenges provided by the instrument and/or the site, and our friends from COCA/Robert William Wallace Pipes Organs adapted to/rolled with/patiently endured all of them. Our parish is so grateful for what they have done for us and for their continual warmth and good cheer.


Here are photos from the past week. 

The cover has been put on the
relay cabinet, always a good sign.

In the forground is the main static reservoir. The main windline
 enters beneath it through the floor. Behind it on the right is the
 booster blower for the Pontifical Tuba; on the left is its regulator/
reservoir. We're blowing the Tuba at 18" now and it sounds great!

The view out the Great early Thursday evening.

On the last day, with twilight falling, Debi, Bill and
Mary-William contemplate voicing the bass
octave of the Dulciana. Pat and I helped too. Bill
worked on the pipes while we were his extra hands
with the fragile, slender pipes. Mark was at the console
downstairs. We did in 20 minutes what would have
taken an hour without the extra helpers.
It was one of those magic moments.