Georgia, United States of America
The "Organ Project" at West Point First United Methodist in West Point, Georgia spanned 13 years. The campaign slogan for their organ renovation fund raising was "Preserving the Past...Preparing for the Future." The result is an updated organ that preserves the old pipes, yet offers the necessary dependability and increased versatility required in today's worship instruments.
Randall Smith, organist at West Point United Methodist writes:
"The first stage of the organ project was to re-leather the organ, replace the electrical wiring (which was 1930 cotton covered wired), and to replace the 1930 relay system with solid-state relays. The old Hinners pipe organ relay system actually used metal dress snaps to make electrical contacts!
"The second phase was to repair and update the old 1930 console. After looking at all of our options, we decided to replace this failing console with a Rodgers two-manual drawknob console. In addition to providing us with a dependable new console, the Rodgers addition gave the organ much needed solo reeds, mixtures and other upper pipework which was missing on the Romantic organ. Another large advantage...the organ would be MIDI capable! It also gave us many additional pedal stops.
"During renovation of the sanctuary, the organ facade was restored and new acoustical material was used to replace the 1960s upholstery behind the gold facade pipes.
"Then we went to work in repairing the 75 year-old pipework. All the pipes were cleaned. The metal pipes received slide tuners. The wooden flute pipes had their stoppers re-felted and re-leathered. The flutes in the great had cheesecloth stuffed in them for 30+ years to keep them in tune. Finally, the organ was revoiced by noted pipe organ voicer, Daniel Angerstien.
"The Rodgers digital voices match perfectly with the 1930 Hinners pipes. The musical results are astounding! The MIDI capabilities on the organ are used beyond imagination. We certainly joined the 20th and 21st centuries together in West Point with our organ!"
