www.heavenlyrestabilene.org
Our Aeolian-Skinner Organ, Opus 1416 continues to serve us with music, and there are a number of passthrough organists who stop by to see and hear it. The organ has somewhat of an interesting history of its own, and it is fantastically fun to play (trust me on this). We have been plagued for the past four years with some maintenance and tuning issues caused by our location and our lar schedule of care. This year we have reached an agreement with Jason Alden, owner of Alden Organ Services of Richardson, Texas for regular visits for tuning and repair issues. Jason, an organist who has earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree himself, is also the regional representative for the Reuter Organ Company. He has a deep love for our instruments’ history and its importance to the quality of our worship. There are some minor repair issues which have already been done, and over a period of time we will be upgrading a number of sub-standard wiring issues which sometimes affects the instrument’s ability to work up to capacity. Thanks to Gary Blevins for being able to solve some of our “minor emergency” moments this year. Robert Partin continues oversee our pianos and harpsichord tuning and maintenance. This has not only saved us Robert is able to take care of it with just a day or so of This past summer when I attended the Region VII AGO Convention in Austin, I overheard so many clusters of organists and choir directors discussing their frustrations ing in those discussions. After all, when one works with three music-appreciating clergy people, two supportive deacons, a super assistant in music administration, a cheerive and appreciative congregation, a beautiful room with a nice instrument with which to worship, and – above “well-seasoned” – of what does one have to complain? This report is long, partly because I’m wordy but mostly because the working Spirit of the Lord at Heavenly Rest device for worship in God’s Church. We look forward to an equally busy and blessed 2014! Thank you all.
- Dr. Wes Gomer
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