In the hands of a master, a pipe organ can make soft, haunting music that brings a tear to your eye, or the loud, crashing notes can make your heart beat faster and chills run down your spine.
The 25 people on the Great Pipe Organs of Chatham tour were treated to both at six sites in Chatham over two consecutive Tuesdays.
“Six of the best historical pipe organs in Chatham are being demonstrated by many of the best organists the area has to offer,” said Nancy Tapley, a member of the Royal Canadian College of Organists executive.
Organized by the Chatham and Windsor-Essex centres of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, along with the University of Windsor’s Canterbury College Eldercollege Chatham Chapter, the registrants in the general interest course (for those 55 years of age and over) took part in the tour.
“Registrants had the opportunity to learn the basics of pipe organs, hear about the history of the installation of the instruments, see what is behind the face pipes and some even had the chance to play the organ themselves,” Tapley said.
At Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Chatham, one of the stops on the tour, organ builder and former music director Donald Pope explained the history of the organ and the pipes that were installed.
Current music director Brian Sweetman demonstrated the different ranges and sounds the pipes make, from a haunting flute to French horn, to a set of bells that can be used during the church service, and of course, the thunder pedal used for the song, “How Great Thou Art” that rumbles through your entire body when employed.
Pope said in building the organ, he sometimes used pieces from other organ builds, incorporating what he wanted into the Holy Trinity pipe organ.
“We build organs and often have pipes left over, and some have made their way here,” he joked.
Pieces include chimes from an organ in Detroit, a harp, and some echo chimes added just last year.
To a novice, the vast number of keys, pipes and stops can be somewhat confusing, and Tapley said what you see of pipes up front is only a fraction of what is used.
“There are thousands of pipes, from 1,000-3,000 in our tour that are in behind the façade of the organ,” she explained.
To demonstrate, organist and builder Joel VanderZee, who builds and services organs across southwestern Ontario, played a selection of light organ music showcasing the softer side of organ pipe music. Tapley, to show the heavier, deeper notes of the organ, played Johann Sebastian Bach’s Toccata in D minor, a piece that reverberates through your whole body.
Overall, participants enjoyed the tour, Sweetman said, asking intelligent questions and showing a real interest in the history and creation of the different and unique organs in each location.
On the tour, David Palmer of Windsor, who is also a member of RCCO, said they did a similar tour in Windsor and it was very well received.
“I’m impressed with the level of interest here. People have been asking very probing questions and you can tell they are listening to the answers,” Palmer said.
Anyone interested in courses offered by Eldercollege can go www.uwindsor.ca/canterbury/eldercollege for more information and to register.
