At its peak in 1926, the company was shipping a Wurlitzer a day, mass-producing one of the most technologically advanced machines of its time. There are also hundreds of books, DVDs and CDs for all ages. Exhibits specialist and theater organist Brian Jensen helped bring the organ to the Institution. When Ayars died in 1992, he willed it to his friend Brantley Duddy, and Duddy contacted the Smithsonian, which gratefully accepted it for the musical instrument collection of the National Museum of American History. Pittsburgh, PA 15241 Officials are following CDC guidelines for public safety during the sale. The annual sale has been held by the Evangel Auxiliary since 1964, and contributions come from students, alumni, employees and friends of the University.. The design of the installation provides the audience with full view of every part of the organ with the traps (effects) and Piano positioned around the stage. His instruments could produce numerous inventive sound effects, including train and boat whistles, car horns and bird whistles, and some could even simulate pistol shots, ringing phones, the sound of surf, horses hooves, smashing pottery, thunder and rain. The original purpose of the clerestory was to give passive solar heat, but it gives us morning sun in the northwest corner during the winter months which would cause the pipes temperatures to change and would make the organ seriously out of tune on Sunday morning. In the early 20th century, thousands of these gigantic pipe organs were installed in movie theaters throughout the United States, Canada, England and Australia to accompany silent movies. The organ opened on the 3rd October 1999 with three extra ranks added (Viol Celeste, Krummet, Vox Humana plus 16 Diaphone octave to the Diapason), plus Chimes, Vibraphone and Piano. Since the very beginning, Holy Cross has always been very proud of and strongly supported its musical ministry. A wide variety of clothing, small appliances, jewelry, office items, toys, furniture and other household goods are available to purchase. At one such venuethe Bella Roma Pizza restaurant in Martinez, Californiaon a recent Sunday night, organist Kevin King put a Wurlitzer through its paces, bouncing in his seat as his hands played different keyboards, occasionally pausing to flip stops, while his feet plied the pedals. It was during 1983 and 1984 that we started an organ committee. It sports two keyboards (called manuals), 584 individual pipes organized into eight ranks, and four tuned percussion instruments as well as special effects. Even today, many people remember the slogan: "Gee Dad, its a Wurlitzer.". We also had at our disposal $15,000, which was allotted to us by the Synod, to purchase a musical instrument for our church. "Youre playing all the orchestra sounds plus some real instruments," he says. It was decided by the committee that one day we would have a pipe organ in our sanctuary and that we would need to have a wall at least 16 feet tall so we could get a 16' tall pipe into the new building. Although she has discussed the instrument through an intermediary with the new owners of the Breakers Hotel and heard some expressions of interest from area universities, Koons said, no firm offers have been made. Advertising Notice On a snowy January evening, the committee and council members made the trip to see this organ. She later reduced the price to $100,000 and now, she said, she would accept $75,000. Most people who visit our church cannot believe that a congregation that is only 17 years old and in its first building would ever have an instrument like this. In the past few weeks, she has made serious attempts to find a buyer with the facilities and resources to maintain the instrument. But there are plans to restore it to glory. Evangel University Of the more than 5,000 organs manufactured in the early 1900s, only a few hundred remain in public venues; a few others, like the Ayars organ, were rescued by private collectors. She has scheduled the last concert May 14. The organ was carefully removed and put into storage at the garage. The Colossal Sale went on hiatus after the 2014 event and was revived in 2019, thanks to an influx of younger members. Since our congregations beginning in 1979, we had only a piano to use in worship. With BMW and Suzuki motorcycles shoved off to the sides, the audience sat on folding chairs, enraptured by a dizzying array of performers in the grease-stained garage. Eventually he got interested in pipes, abandoning the Hammond altogether in favor of a 10-rank Welte organ that once resided in the lounge of the swank Del Mar Club in Santa Monica. And unless she can sell the organ within the next month, she says, the elaborate instrument will have to be stored. Jim Gruber set up the organ specification along with consulting from organists John Oliver, Devon Hollingsworth and Carl Hansen. Not Spud Koons. In 1965, the organ was removed from the cinema when it was tripled, and sold for 300 and installed in a private residence in Castle Donnington. (If we were to purchase this organ today from a quality builder and have it all be brand new, the cost would exceed $350,000). In 1910, after his company foundered, Hope-Jones was bought out by the Wurlitzer Company, which, with elegant-looking products and aggressive advertising, dominated the theater organ market. The organ was renovated and improved at this time by Watersmith Pipe Organs, and a new Oboe was installed. This one worked its wonders in the Fox Theatre in Appleton, Wisconsin. Antique Print-BLONDEL-ARCHTECTURE-GARDENS OF PURITY-JARDIN-PROPRETE-Lacroix-1878. In 1967, Joe Koons moved his musical contraption to the motorcycle shop so he could work on it full time. In 1983, when the building committee was meeting to select a design for the church, we also had to consider the future musical instruments that would lead worship. Ayars kept it in museum-quality condition during the 30-some years it was played in his home. Spud Koons, who does not play the organ herself, began managing the weekly concerts after her husband died of a stroke in 1978. We felt the value of the organ in its present condition was around $2500, so we offered that to the church. The pipe organ has a colorful history, stemming from the early tinkerings of Koons late husband, Joe, who opened the motorcycle shop in 1949. Pipes in the Peaks was also very lucky to acquire a Compton Solo Cello as well. The giant of the musical instrument collection makes tunes rootin tootin or romantic. Upon reviewing the instrument and talking with the builder, we decided that the main wind chests to the Great and Swell organs needed to be replaced. The Compton organ opus A432 was originally came from the Regal/ABC Derby and was opened on 27th June 1938 by Wilfred Southworth. Back to The Spire Online homepage, 2040 Washington Road It did just that, and the phenomenon spread throughout the state and beyond as dozens of moribund theater organs found new lives in restaurants. (417) 8652815 First is the uncertainty of the resurging COVID virus. We now had a major decision to make to rebuild it as a smaller organ (about half the size of what we have now) or to use all of the purchased pipes and build a larger instrument. Privacy Policy | TitleIX | ADA, https://www.evangel.edu/press_releases/auxiliarys-colossal-garage-sale-june-24-27/, Evangel Auxiliarys Colossal Garage Sale rescheduled for June 24-27. Organs for, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1523198677916032/A place to list any and all pipe organs or pipe organ components for sale. Standing alone behind the front-office counter with her back to the door of the garage concert hall where the great organ played, the slight soft-spoken woman struggled visibly to control her emotions. Previous article As at this stage the organ had not got a Melotone unit, as this was sent away for restoration by its previous owner and was never returned. Amid the passion of the music, most sorrows are temporarily drowned. All local pickups are subject to 7% sales tax. We felt that a purchase of this significance would last for many generations to come. 1111 N. Glenstone Ave. The performers were taking turns at one of the few--and one of the largest--theater pipe organs in Southern California. Between 1911 and 1943, the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company built more than 2,000 theater organs, most of them about the size of the Ayars, for smaller, neighborhood theaters. The sound of Al Jolsons voice in The Jazz Singer of 1927 spelled doom for the theater organ. After visiting many churches with pipe organs and hearing each one played, the committee decided to only consider a pipe organ or to stick with the piano until we could afford a real pipe organ. Like the Star-Spangled Banner, its a recognized symbol of American culture. The Ayars organ, a Model 190 (serial number 2070), was built by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company of North Tonawanda, New York, in 1929 for the Fox Theatre. Forty years ago, Carsten Henningson, owner of Ye Olde Pizza Joynt in Hayward, California, and a devoted organ enthusiast, decided a Wurlitzer might help boost business. In the meantime, she said, the Saturday night concerts will continue, featuring music ranging from such traditional skating-rink fare as Im in the Mood for Love to frantic full-bodied French toccatas reminiscent of old Boris Karloff movies. It was moved and rebuilt in 1927 by William F. Smith for use as a chancel organ in the Lower Church of St. Nicholas Church of Tolentine in Bronx, New York. Five days passed before his body was found, USC researchers identify symptoms associated with increased risk for long COVID. Evangel serves more than 2,300 students from all 50 states and numerous foreign countries, offering 70 undergraduate majors and 19 masters and doctoral degrees. Number of Results Displayed (min:10, max:200). After some time, the organ was finished. With few exceptions, pipes can be revoiced after decades of use for a fraction of their original cost or the cost, http://www.letourneauorgans.com/Orgues Ltourneau has been an international leader in pipe organ design, construction, restoration and tonal finishing for over 40 years. Second, we have lost many of our regular volunteers, in part because there has been no sale for two years. Bonefish Grill Little Rock | locations.bonefishgrill.com. The Melodia is probably not original but it is of black walnut wood. We also had at our disposal $15,000, which was allotted to us by the Synod, to purchase a musical instrument for our church. 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.Traditional Worship in the sanctuary, 9:45 a.m.Contemporary Worship in the WROC, YouTube Livestream: 9:45 & 11:00 a.m. services, 2022 Westminster Presbyterian Church. The chamber is fitted with 6mm thick specially made glass panels so that the pipes can all be seen. Among the featured items this year is a unique hand-carved antique bed set from the early 1900s with headboard, foot board, mirror and more, Bartels added. Local organ enthusiasts say putting the instrument in storage would constitute a grave cultural loss. We had our first service with the organ, with only three ranks of pipes playing, on the last Sunday of January, 1987. No electronic or reed organ postings are permitted, and will be immediately, http://pipeorgantrader.com/Pipe Organ Trader. Air blown through pipes, each tuned to create a different musical tone, creates the sound. Pipes in the Peaks is lucky to have two Resident Organists, Christian Cartwright and Stephen Foulkes. The organs construction was started in the fall of 1986 in Grubers shop in Elmwood Park. The reason it was placed in this location was because of the clerestory over the center of the nave which has a south exposure. Hope-Jones dubbed it the Unit Orchestra: with it an organist could imitate an entire dance band or orchestra. The organ was moved to the chancel of the Upper Church and rebuilt again by William Baker in 1978. Faced with failing health, declining business profits and a local ordinance that would require her to make expensive modifications to bring her building up to earthquake standards by next year, the 71-year-old widow is selling the place to a group of investors who want to turn it into a retail mini-mall. Richmond, Virginia, has three theaters with original organs, the Chicago Theatre still has its Wurlitzer, and some of the truly grand movie palaces have original organ installations, including the Fox Theatres in Atlanta, St. Louis and Detroit and the Orpheum in Los Angeles. The loss would be unbelievably sad, said Fernand Martel, a retired opera singer and organist who has been performing regularly at the shop since 1969. Only a handful are in their original theater installations. A site dedicated to buying and selling vintage pipe organ parts. Where else can people go to hear this?, Said Walter Blanchard, a union representative for the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees in North Hollywood and an occasional Saturday night performer: This is part of U.S. history that will be sorely missed. This included the complete installation, two brand new slider wind chests ($20,000), eight new ranks of German pipe work ($8,000), the organ case and the complete voicing of the organ. Im going to have to find something else to do on Saturday nights. In addition to scholarships, major projects funded by the Evangel University Auxiliary include the Heritage Room in Riggs Hall, the massive Schantz Pipe Organ in the chapel, the second and third floor lobbies of Trask Hall, lighting and stage curtains for the Barnett Fine Arts Theatre and uniforms for Evangels marching band. The organ, when completed, would contain 24 ranks, or about 1,400 pipes, and would occupy the northeast corner of the sanctuary. The organ has now been reunited with a correct Series 3 Melotone, this being from the Wolverhampton Civic Hall Compton. The organ is approximately 9 feet in depth, 8 feet in width and 14 feet in height. We then decided that we should look for an older organ and rebuild it in our church. The organ we found was built in 1955 by the Pels Organ Company of Alkmaar, Holland. It was decided by the committee that one day we would have a pipe organ in our sanctuary and that we would need to have a wall at least 16 feet tall so we could get a 16' tall pipe into the new building. Springfield, Mo. What Is The Value Of Our Church's Existing Pipe Organ? Springfield, MO 65802 I feel badly that it has to go, Koons said. view map. In order to make the organ more versatile, we decided to buy some new pipe work to augment the original specification. When we got there the roof over the organ chamber had collapsed, water was pouring in on the pipes, and the local mice population was leaving its calling card for all to see. The three-tiered console is on a raised platform across the concrete floor. This listing is for a rare antique Tracker Organ that was built in 1878 by George Jardine & Sons in New York City. Westminster will not have a Rummage-Recycling Sale this November for two reasons. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. If you have an interest in volunteering in April, or have any questions, please call Marilyn Hayes at 412-831-504. The Colossal Garage Sale helps raise funds for scholarships and academic projects, said Jeanine Bartels, event coordinator. The console with its illuminated surround sits on a turntable lift, which came from the Odeon Birmingham. In 1985, as our pipe organ sat in Ed Bennos barn in Wildwood, the present church building was complete, and we worshipped together in our new sanctuary for the first time on Palm Sunday. It was six months later that we got a call from our organ builder, Jim Gruber, who said the organ was still for sale and that we could purchase it for $6500. In case you are curious about those large wooden pipes on the side of the organ, they were a little bonus we got and were not in the original plans. I just wonder if I did the right thing, she said. After the theater became a department store in 1959, the organ briefly went into storage until Ayars bought it and installed it in his New Jersey home. Heres how far prices have fallen, The new 6th Street bridges baptism by L.A.: Street racers, skaters, taggers and a crash, Column One: He worked from home and died suddenly. "Ours does not have all the bells and whistles of the larger organs found in big cities," says Jensen, "but it represents what was in 90 percent of the theaters across the country, in neighborhoods and smaller towns. Our commitment to the integration of faith, learning and life attracts students from a wide variety of Christian denominational backgrounds who have a strong commitment to academics with a desire to combine their Christian faith with every aspect of their lives. The organ was finally completed in May when the trumpet pipes arrived from Germany. This was the first time it had been heard in 35 years when Resident Organist Stephen Foulkes officially opened Pipes in the Peaks. Terms of Use In 1956, she recalls, he traded in the familys tiny spinet Hammond organ for a full-sized instrument and began a lifelong obsession. All Rights Reserved. Complete Organs and Parts for Sale. The winning bidder can also pick up this item at our store in Colchester, Vermont. Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The new organs either incorporated or at least imitated other musical instrumentsfrom piano and violin to trumpet, drums, cymbals, even bells and chimes. The prelude that morning was the chorale prelude by Mendelssohn, The Lords Prayer, played by Carl Hansen, our first organist. Friday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Sundays: Following a one-month delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Evangel University Auxiliary will hold its 2020 Colossal Garage Sale Wednesday through Saturday, June 24-27. Wurlitzers time in the limelight was brief. Today the organs innards--consisting of more than 2,000 pipes and relays that can simulate the sounds of clarinets, violins, drums, French horns, sirens, sleigh bells, xylophones, fire gongs and boat whistles, among others--are housed in three large chambers covering the entire back wall of the shops 120-foot-long service garage. Many thanks go to Carl Hansen for these details of the history of our pipe organ. By the mid-1930s, most theater owners had replaced their organs with speaker systems. The seats at Spud Koons motorcycle shop were packed once again last Saturday night. Saturday is BAG SALE DAY, where shoppers will be able to fill a provided bag for $5! Next article Privacy Statement In 1990 the organ was bought by David Thorp owner of Dovedale Garage. Cookie Policy In 1988, the organ was sold to Trinity Episcopal Church in Shelburne, Vermont. We brought our organ almost home to Ed Bennos barn in Wildwood, where it sat for about two years. Blowers located under the ranks, or sets of pipes, force air into them when valves are opened as the organist plays the keys and stops (tabs the organist flips up or down to activate different ranks of pipes). A 96-year-old organist who has played the instrument for 20 years will perform its swan song. They, however, wanted $25,000, so no purchase was made. Some pipe organs are still playing today that are over 500 years old. The lift rotates through 45-degrees and is probably the only working example in the UK. Getting rid of the organ is a bigger problem than I thought.. The largest original Wurlitzer still in operationwith more than 4,000 pipes in 58 ranks, ranging from 32 feet in length to the size of a pencilis also the most famous: the Radio City Music Hall Wurlitzer in New York City, which was installed in 1932. It was not financially possible for us to buy a new organ, which at the time would have cost in excess of $125,000 for a minimal quality instrument. We found out the instrument had 18 ranks, about 1,000 pipes all European made, two blowers, console, wind chests and more. We did all of this work in Pat Rossett's garage, and we took almost 200 hours to complete the job. To the dismay of lovers of the traditional organ, British inventor and telephone engineer Robert Hope-Jones electrified it and created a switching system to allow any combination of pipes and effects to be played at once. Over the next few years, he added chimes, a rhythm box, red and green lights under the keyboards, and finally a large cymbal controlled by a mechanism he built from the parts of an old motorcycle. One obstacle to the sale, she said, is the fact that whoever buys the organ will have to spend an estimated $100,000 more just to relocate it. We have hundreds of Church and, http://pipeorgans.com/existing-church-organ-value/index.cfmThe pipes of an organ rarely lose their value. Over time, the musical tinkerer added to his home system with parts salvaged from abandoned organs in Barnsville, Ohio, and Sherrard, Ill., as well as at the New Hope Baptist Church and historic Pacific Coast Club, both in Long Beach. Over the next ten years the organ underwent a complete restoration and during this time the showroom was built to house both cars and the Compton. Published on Jun 16, 2020 by Paul K. Logsdon. More talent than anywhere else Ive known., Said Bonnie Park, a visitor from Utah: The music just goes right through you.. For 20 years, Koons has been opening up her garage to as many as 100 music lovers and assorted musicians every Saturday night. Since our congregations beginning in 1979, we had only a piano to use in worship. Initially, she said, she was asking $200,000 for the organ. The first silent films had been accompanied by a pit orchestra or, for the more frugally minded impresario, a lone piano. The committee agreed that this was indeed a good price. In 1983, when the building committee was meeting to select a design for the church, we also had to consider the future musical instruments that would lead worship. A dedication recital was then given by our Organ Committee consultant John Oliver. Friday is HALF-PRICE DAY, where all items except furniture is for sale at 50% off. Copyright 2022 Evangel University, which includes Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS), is a comprehensive Christian university committed to excellence in educating and equipping students to serve the church and society globally. Manage My Data Our pipe organs. Cookie Settings, Eric Long/National Musuem of American History, SI, The Unmistakable Black Roots of 'Sesame Street', Scientists Just Sent Two Batches of Stem Cells Into Space, How to Deal With Work Stress and Recover From Burnout, Cavers Discover 200-Year Old Mine, Untouched Since the Moment It Was Abandoned, The DNA of Hundreds of Insect Species Is in Your Tea. It was not until January of 1987 that the first parts of the organ were delivered to Holy Cross. There are too few of these instruments left.. Evangel is an accredited, liberal arts university with more than 70 academic programs on the cutting edge of todays professional fields. In 1986, we signed the contract with Gruber Pipe Organs and the total cost of the organ would be about $62,000 including the original purchase price. We hope to resume the sale in the spring, but only if we have a large number of new volunteers. One special project the congregation members worked on during this time was the stripping and refinishing of the console. As theater organs go, this one is modest in size, its pipes fitting into a space about 15 feet wide and 13 feet deep. The original organ comprised 3 manuals, 6 ranks of pipes and a Melotone attachment. Once common in silent movie houses and live theaters, they say, pipe organs of this size and quality are rare, with only a handful still operating in Southern California. The event will be in the Mabee Student Fitness Center on the northwest side of the Evangel campus. Instruments Available American Guild of Organists. Soon Hollywood was putting sound in every movie it produced. Musical historians and theater organ buffs would like to see the Smithsonians Wurlitzer played publicly once again. He was very instrumental in the acquisition and restoration of our wonderful musical instrument. This was followed by another concert in 1988 given by Devon Hollingsworth, Minister of Music of Christ Church in Oak Brook. I feel like Im letting them all down, she said on a recent Saturday night. Since the very beginning, Holy Cross has always been very proud of and strongly supported its musical ministry. We are truly blessed to have this in our midst, and we should all rejoice every time we hear our Lutheran music played on a real pipe organ. The free concerts--at which anyone can perform--have become almost legendary, drawing people from all over Southern California and as far away as Africa and Europe. ", 2022 Smithsonian Magazine The theater organ is related to the classic church pipe organ, whose basic design has been around for more than 2,000 years. The Auxiliary has been holding an annual fundraising sale since 1964. Their earliest efforts provided curtains and furniture in the dorms for our very first group of students.. Please check all of the available shipping methods and costs prior to bidding. Of all the musical instruments in the Smithsonian Institutions collection of 5,200 violins, pianos, banjos and others, the largestit fills three roomsrepresents a unique period of nearly forgotten American history. Since the beginning of Evangel in 1955, the members of the Evangel Auxiliary have been a constant support by volunteering time and talents, said Dr. Michael Kolstad, vice president for university advancement. Six months later, our founding pastor, John Puotinen, announced that he was able to secure the refinancing of the church mortgage and that we would also have the additional monies to complete the organ project. In a church organ, this rather simple mechanism can produce only a certain number of sounds. When the theater organ came along, with its ability to imitate an orchestra and create special sound effects, every movie house owner had to have one. In January of 1984 we received a call that a pipe organ was for sale in Roselle, Illinois, and that it would be perfect for our church. There is a current recording of the Compton available for sale, Tuned Up 3! by Christian Cartwright to celebrate the Comptons 20th anniversary at Pipes in the Peaks. Maybe Ill stay home and sew., Coronavirus cases are soaring in L.A. County, but this wave is different, The SoCal housing market is cooling. Its a Wurlitzer theater organ. We have great talent here, said Hazel Lamoreux, a piano teacher and a regular at the Long Beach cycle shop. And the resulting sound filled the smelly garage with such gigantic musical vibrations that the audience was swooning. The sale is an excellent opportunity to serve God and the community while supporting a wide variety of mission projects. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For now, it sits in storage, its burnished white-and-gold console protected by a sheet of plastic. From 1999 onwards, extra ranks, percussions, sound effects and traps have been added to the Compton, and is currently 18 ranks with more to be added in the future!