There will be joyous music
Goshen. While repairs to the grand old organ at First Presbyterian Church are still months from completion, music will still filled the church and surround the congregation this holiday season.
Goshen /
| 20 Nov 2021 | 07:22
Jonathan Hall, director of music at The First Presbyterian Church in Goshen, shown with the Austin organ, installed in 1931, which is now in need of repairs. Needing repairs, though, isn’t stopping Hall from providing music for upcoming holiday services at the church. There’s a whole assortment available for the music director to present to the congregation. Photo by Geri Corey.
Jonathan Hall, the music director at Goshen’s First Presbyterian Church, insists there will be joyous holiday music - organ or no organ.
“We have a beautiful building and now we have to live up to our steeple: tall and inviting, reassuring and commanding,” Hall said in a recent conversation.
As musical director, Hall is the force behind restoring the now inoperative beautiful organ back to excellent working condition, returning the church to its former inviting and commanding position.
The problem with the organ began in 2004 when the church purchased a new console (commonly known as the keyboard) and just escalated down, finally stopping working entirely a few months ago.
When it was installed, the new console never worked correctly, Hall explained.
What needs to be done
Three areas need to be addressed:
1. Replacement of the entire console (keyboard);
2. Totally rewiring the console;
3. Rebuilding and connecting gilded pipes (located in the rear of the church in what is called the case).
“Some pipes with simple mechanisms can last for centuries; others with more complicated mechanisms might need repairs. For 90-years the pipes in this church have been in use and several now need repairs.”
The Austin Organ Co. in Hartford, Conn., installed the organ console in 1931; the organ case, and the gilded pipes in the façade of the case, was put in in 1871. Currently, several pipes have been sent to Hartford for rebuilding.
Also, some of the pipes have never been connected; they are referred to as ‘silent pipes,’” said Hall. “These are a part of the poor job done with replacing the console in 2004.”
Realizing that the organ would need major repair work, congregants, along with members of the community, began finding and supporting ways to raise money.
Supply chain issues
The church is hoping to have the whole project done by Easter, but there can’t be any promises.
“It’s up to the supply chain, but we’re still hopeful,” Hall said. “The company is doing its job and so are we — it’s just national circumstances.”
Hall is confident that when the work is completed, the 1931 console will have all new solid-state circuitry and with the beautiful cabinetry, it will be a high quality instrument.
“We’re planning for a long future and joy for the community for many years to come,” Hall said. “When this instrument is fully functional, we’ll return to having programs like sing-a-longs, concerts, Great American Weekend organ recitals and tours, and caroling during Christmas time for the community to join us.”
But for now, Hall promises “there will be music, very beautiful music, whether piano, harpsichord, woodwinds, choir, hand bells — all in the great spirit of joy for the season. This is a great time to experience the music—all the variations—organ or no organ.”
The community is always invited.