Isaac James makes sure the pipes fit perfectly into the base holes of the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church's refurbished pipe organ. AMY FLOWERS UMBLE/THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Working to make a pipe organ sing at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church

Date published: 10/13/2008

BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE

A noted composer compares creating a pipe organ to making an apple pie. But forget about a pinch here and a smidgen there.

Building an organ is such intricate work that a speck of sawdust can make the difference between a pipe that sings and one that croaks.

Charles Callahan, a composer, organist and author of books on building organs, was in town last week voicing the refurbished organ at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church.

The organ, first built in the 1950s, is now the largest in the Fredericksburg area, said Bill McCoy, the Methodist church's organist.

That size is just like having an extra-large spice cabinet while baking the pie, Callahan said. With more spices, the baker can create a unique taste.

With more pipes, the organist can make more musical combinations. Anyone playing the Methodists' new organ will have quite a selection.

"I haven't added all these pipes up, but you probably have, like, a thousand pipes in this organ," said Ray Colby, whose company is rebuilding the instrument.

That process has taken about two weeks, plus a week of voicing. But the overall project has been about two years in the making, McCoy said. Most of the work has been behind-the-scenes planning.

After the basic instrument is assembled, an expert comes to voice the organ. Callahan came from Vermont to do the work, which involves intricate testing.

"Each pipe produces one note and one note only, and it's voiced to sound best at that note," he said.

Many of the pipes in the refurbished organ will be digital. That allows the organ to make more sounds in a smaller space, McCoy said.

The sanctuary at Fredericksburg United Methodist provides an ideal environment for the organ, Callahan said.

"You really need the resonating surfaces, which are stone or wood," he said. The hardwood floors, ceiling planks and paneled back wall keep the sound loud and clear, he said.

Callahan, Colby and Isaac James, an employee of R.A. Colby Inc., have been adjusting the pipes and testing their sounds. It can be tedious work; even the slightest adjustment can affect the music.

"It's a wonderful challenge to make it sound musical," Callahan said. "We want the organ to sing, not to growl like a big Vermont bear."

Amy Flowers Umble: 540/735-1973
Email: aumble@freelancestar.com

WANT TO HEAR IT? WHAT: "Organ Spectacular" WHEN: 3 p.m. Oct. 19 WHERE: Fredericksburg United Methodist Church sanctuary. Call ahead to reserve a space at 540/373-9021. WHO: Local church organists and a local man studying to be an organist will perform. DETAILS: The organ will be inaugurated Oct. 19 as part of an international celebration of the pipe organ. More than 2,000 performers will play in 250 concerts around the world. Fredericksburg United Methodist Church will dedicate the organ with a concert by Ray Chenault on Nov. 7.

Date published: 10/13/2008