Press release from Ziprik Consulting:
On Thursday, June 27, 2019 at 7:00pm the public is invited to a free “behind the scenes tour” of the Allen Renaissance Quantum organ at Mills River Presbyterian Church. Led by Louis Travis, organist for 20 years at the church, the “up close and personal” look at the Allen organ will include a brief history and “walk about” inside a true pipe organ and how that technology has evolved into the modern digital organ.
The free hour-long “Organ 101” session explores the many capabilities of the digital organ, from replicating classic pipe organs to specialized digital sounds. Travis will explain the workings of the church’s new Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) computer system that provides 243 orchestral and stage effect sounds, like thunder, cannons firing and birds tweeting. The evening session will include include music samplings, an understanding of the workings of the organ and a question-and-answer session with the audience.
“Within the huge array of computers inside this organ there are replicated organ sounds from pipes of four distinct organs from around the world,” says Travis. “There’s a ‘Neo Baroque,’ sampled from a large cathedral organ in Germany. Then there’s a French Cathedral, replicating the Cavaille-Coll organ in Notre Dame. The third is an English Cathedral pipe sound, a replica of Westminster Abby. The fourth is an American Classic, sampled from a Skinner pipe organ from here in the United States. During this ‘get to know you’ event on June 27th we’ll share the music from all four types of pipes.”
While offering participants an in-depth look at the church’s Allen organ, Travis will explain why true pipe organs are becoming extinct in America. He will share a look back at truly antique pipe organs that have morphed into the digital and electronic age while giving participants a glimpse of the future for church organs.
The organ discovery class is open to the public and will be held in the sanctuary at Mills River Presbyterian Church, located at 10 Presbyterian Church Road in Mills River (off of School House Road). For more information call the church office at 828-891-7101.
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