Pulling Out All Of The Stops
After a particularly impressive effort at work or on the playing field, or at the most climactic point in a film, you might have heard someone mention that “they pulled out all of the stops.” In common use, it’s considered high praise, but for church organ players, the phrase has a very different meaning. Viscount […]
The World’s Oldest Playable Church Organ
Sthullen | CC BY-SA 3.0 Church organs have enriched worship services for centuries, filling sacred spaces with powerful and inspiring music. However, few people realize that the oldest playable church organ still in use today dates back to the 15th century. Nestled in the picturesque town of Sion, Switzerland, the organ at Valère Basilica holds […]
Famous Organists: Charles-Marie Widor
The church organ has a long and storied history, going back for hundreds of years. During that time, countless accomplished musicians have sat at the bench and played stirring music of all kinds for innumerable audiences. But during the tenure of this King of Instruments, there have been some musicians that have stood out as […]
Organs At The Front Lines
When we think about the music of the Second World War, often we think of ragtime, and big band jazz, and of course, thumping marching band music. It’s hard not to have Glenn Miller’s “American Patrol” playing along in your head when you think about the service members of WWII. But for many soldiers and […]
Overcoming Your Nerves Before Performance
Right before you go on stage, you are probably going through what you will do once you are finally in front of everyone. Hopefully, you are imagining things going well! We know that there can be a lot of pressure when playing the church organ in front of a large group, especially if there are […]
Re-Learning an Instrument in Adulthood
How many people take music lessons at a young age, only to drop the instrument and focus more on careers or family in adulthood? The answer is, quite a lot! If this is the case for you, and you’ve found yourself wanting to get back into the instrument, we have some things for you to […]
Viscount Organs: Tradition, Passion, and Technology Combined
Church organs are unique instruments. Not only are they centuries old – or, if their origin instruments are considered, millennia old – but they also have endured through western culture ever since their introduction. Organs were and still are central to many churches’ worship services and found their way into secular culture and music, as […]
Why Every Organist Needs the Right Footwear and Organ Shoes
Playing the organ requires skill, coordination, and the right equipment. While most organists focus on manuals, stops, and pedals, they often overlook proper footwear. A good pair of organ shoes enhances control, stability, and comfort, making a significant difference in performance. Why Organ Shoes Matter Enhance Pedal Technique Organ shoes improve pedal technique by offering […]
Church Organs in Silent Films: The Unsung Hero of Early Cinema
Silent films may have lacked spoken dialogue but were never truly silent. Music played a crucial role in bringing these films to life, and one of the most dramatic and versatile instruments used was the church organ. From eerie horror films to grand epics, the church organ’s deep resonance heightened suspense, added grandeur, and evoked […]
History of Church Organs
The history of the church organ dates back to ancient times, originating from the water organ (hydraulis) of ancient Greece. These early instruments used water pressure to produce sound, laying the foundation for the pipe organs that later became central to Christian worship. The Introduction of the Organ to Churches In the 8th century, Christian […]