No breaking into the church in this installment . . .
I, like so many of us, I started with piano lessons, and I did Royal Conservatory of Music exams. Along the way I realized that the Conservatory system in no way prepared you for playing hymns. I approached my piano teacher about wanting to learn hymns, and she wouldn't help, I suppose because it wasn't part of the official curriculum.
I asked around and was told to contact "Miss Garlick". Well, I politely introduced myself to her (she attended the family church, but I had not known her) and told her that I wanted to learn how to play hymns on the piano, and asked if she would have any room on her schedule for me, and also what was her fee for the lessons. (More on the fees, later).
She told me to come to her house the next day, and that we would get started. She had two pianos in her basement teaching studio, and she did teach me how to play hymns, and about breathing, taking over the tenor part with the right hand, introductions etc. Often she would play the one piano while I played the other, and she would "sing" (screech really). She was by this time in her carreer no spring chicken!
After I'd had about four lessons from her she called me one day and said, "come on dearheart, we're going". (She always called me dearheart, and hey I've been called worse, so this was OK with me!) I quickly learned that "come on dearheart, we're going" meant come and pick her up. She never drove, for her entire life. I'm not sure why. (I was 16 at the time, and my parents were always happy to let me have the car to "drive Miss Garlick", and I of course, being 16, was happy to get the wheels!)
I picked her up and took her to a church where she was going to supply for a wedding, and she was going to try out the organ. After she had a go, she encouraged me to play, and would make the usual suggestions that newbies require like, "you don't need the celeste, dearheart, with the mixture, etc.
Then she started calling me for jobs, the first one being a four-week summer supply at a United Church. I quickly explained to her that I couldn't possibly do the job, that I wasn't ready. (In fact I could barely play the organ, managing the pedals on only a few hymns, manuals only for the rest!). Don't worry, dearheart, she exclaimed, "they are desparate". Then she laughed with her usual cackle and added, and they'll pay!" I spent hours practicing for those four services. Every week, without fail, Miss Garlick would call me and I would pick her up and take her to the church where I was supplying, and she would stand in the chancel and sing at the top of her lungs, and make me "keep going". Talk about encouragment! She got me lots of jobs in those early days, accompanying soloists, playing at seniors homes, supplying at various church settings. I started affectionately calling her "my manager".
(She also never charged for the lessons on hymn playing, which lasted for the one summer. She would say "hymns are for free"!)
Years later I discovered that she had started out many organists, giving them the same sort of help. If anyone even hinted that they were interested in organ, she was determined to get them started. If a church had left calling her for supply to the last minute, she would send one of those interested, but not really ready students.
To be continued . . .
-- Edited by Lawrence Lougheed at 20:39, 2006-05-20
I started at 8 yrs old on a Hammond spinet and then to a Hammond A100 which I still have (it still works but I don't use it much). Played some on the big pipe organ at church - but the pastor didn't like children playing w/ his pipe organ. Went to college (seminary) and played on small 2 manual rodgers there. Left seminary and started work at director of religious education and thru generosity of older couple - the church purchased a 2 manual rodgers. 5 years later the church got a liturgist that as a sideline represented Allen. Rodgers gotten rid of and an old theater pipe organ from a Methodist Church was brought in and sort of restored. Never kept in tune (especially the reeds). After he left and after years of fighting with stops not working and going out of tune the pastor formed a committee to look into a new organ. Rodgers won out (ended up being no contest really). We currently have the 905B and PR300s. I try to spend a couple hours a week practicing and "messing around" with different stop arrangements and sounds from PR300s. Just a joy to play. ~bruce.
First of all I would like to also tell you that I feel like this will be a better way of doing things with the posting of messages etc.
This Message is about how I became an organist. Well, I am in no means qualified to say that I am an organist, as I have never played professionally, but anyway, here is my story.
Ever since I was the young "scant" age of two years old I have loved the organ. My love for the organ first started out by my parents introducing me to the ever popular show at that particular time called "The Lawerence Welk Show". For some reason, I enjoyed seeing the organists playing the old Thomas Organs, and seeing how they played them. Ever since then I have loved the organ and when I went to Church I asked the organist a many many many time about the organ and if this organ was Pipe or Electronic etc. I began taking Piano lessons to help me learn how to read music, and then by that time I had gotten old enough to be able to sing in the Children's Choir where my love for Music kept getting stronger. When I was eight years old, my grandmother introduced me to the "Hour of Power" Television Program with Dr. Robert Shuller" I enjoyed it, and then my love for the organ got even stronger, and I even can recall seeing the old "Royal V" organ on that show while the Pipe Organ was being built, or from what I understand now. I enjoyed seeing the organist play it, and hearing the service, and fortunatally it came on early enough so that I could go to Sunday School and Church as well. My love again for the organ got even stronger, and then at that time, with the organist's supervision, he took me up to the organ and sat me on the bench and set up some stops, and then told me to begin playing. At that time I had no real working knowledge of the organ, but I "Loved It". My story keeps on, and I am sorry for such a long Posting, but I express my thinking, and words better by doing this due to my disabilties, so please bear with me.
I began asking questions, and seeking more knowledge of the organ while I was taking piano lessons. Eventually my piano teacher gave in, and allowed me to go over to her home organ which was a Baldwin Studio (AGO Pedalboard Organ), and allowed me to at that time "bang on the keys" as if I was playing. She then instructed me to play on the organ the same music that I had played on the piano, since at that time I couldn't reach the pedals. Well as time went on, as I was at church, I discovered the chapel, where I went in, and to my amazement, I found a small organ that only had 13 pedals. At that time I didn't know what a Spinet or a Console Organ was, I just was glad that it was an organ. I went over to turn on the organ, and to my amazement it turned on, when I flipped the power switch on, and I could play it, and no one would ever bother me, since no one could hear me. Well eventually someone in the church found out, I can't remember who it was, being so young, and they told the organist about it. A Day or two later, to my amazement the organist asked me about it, and then told me to keep on playing that organ, that it would do the organ good to play on it. So I took my piano music in there and played the music and with the bass notes I played on the Pedalboard. I had figured out with no instruction that the pedal notes were just like the keyboards, but only smaller in length. I played that organ every single Sunday before it was time for the older Sunday School class to meet in the chapel, as they were coming into the chapel, and I loved every single minute of it.
I enventually, started taking organ lessons by another member of my church at the time, and I would practice on the organ at church in the chapel, and eventually I went into a piano and organ store in my area, and went to the big huge church organs, and just turned on the power switch and began playing. I remember to this day playing the song "Memories" the ever popular theme song to "Cats" with the Pedalboard and all, because then I could reach the Pedalboard and loved it, and it was the full AGO pedalboard. This arrangement was a very basic arrangement. Well soon after that the Organ Representative came in and asked me "Wow you seem to love Church Organs don't you", and my reply was "Yes" She then asked me did I take organ lessons, and at the time I had only had maybe two organ lessons, and I had never even learned the "Memories" song on the organ I just played it like I was playing it on the Piano, only now with the Pedals. The lady then asked me have I ever been taught that song on the organ, and I said "No", and to her amazement she thought that was very very impressive that I could do that. She then from then on told me that I could come in there and play on any organ that I wanted to, whenever the store was opened. Wow, in those days, I didn't have a clue as to what stops to select or anything, I just pressed a button, (preset piston), and used whatever had been set on that particular button, I played.
As time went on I had more organ lessons and learned the basics of the organ, and loved it and kept on playing the organ. I eventually started playing in a recital that was given by my music teacher, and loved every minute of it. I then was walking down the street and passed a local church after my church service, and noticed that the church service had just ended, and people were walking out. So I went up to the organ and just listened to the organist, and watched her playing the organ. At the end of her Postlude, she asked me do I play the organ or do I like the organ, and my response was "Yes". She then told me to sit down on the bench and play something for her. She put on a stop or two, and I played from memory the song "Memories" with Pedal and everything, to her amazement she was amazed at me. She then told me that if I wanted to practice on her organ, to write a letter to the Church Board, and that she would back me up 100% and to see what happened. Well, about two weeks later the Priest of the Church called me, and told me that I was welcome to come in any time during office hours, and play on the Pipe Organ to my Hearts Content. I loved that and enjoyed that and eventually I got better, and started organ lessons then with a College Professor. I loved it, and he told me what stops to put on for the music, and eventually he taught me how to read music even better only with the organ and stops and taught me the fundamentals of stops etc. As I got expereiced even more, I enjoyed it even more. I then practiced on any organ I could get my hands on, and at that church on the weekdays, and then on the weekends at the Piano and Organ store on those organs, and believe me there was a new organ to play on just about every other week. Wow, I loved that even more.
As time went on, I was asked by my friend if I would enter a "levels of progress" competition and be judged at my skills etc. I was a little bit skeptical at the time;however, since the judge happened to be one that had known my family for years, in which I had never met before, I did it, after being instructed by my friend on what to play etc. Well to my amazement, I got a perfect score, and was told by her, that I had a really good knowledge of the organ for my age, and that I was going to be an organist and play on many organs one day, "Mark Her Word on that one". She was right.
As I got older, I played in many more mini recitals, and eventually I got a phone call from that judge and she asked me could I or would I be willing to play in some of her student recitals the organ, which was at her current church. I said "Yes". She introduced me to the audience, and then helped me at that time select the stops etc since it was an organ I had never seen before, and I played on it to my heart's content. To my amazement the audience gave me a standing applause. I loved that and continued to play in her recitals up until she couldn't teach anymore.
I then moved to a different city, and started going to another church, and eventually I expressed an interest in playing the organ during one of the student led services. To my amazement, the organist allowed me to play a Prelude, and once again I got an applause after I played the Prelude. Well through time I had many music teachers, and much experience playing during church services, and learning more about the organ. I loved it. I played for an Offering, and then a Postlude etc.
Years later, that same judge that had judged me before, called me and asked me for a favor. She asked me if I could play for her entire church service because she wanted to go out of town for her 50th wedding aniversary. I was reluctant to do that as I knew nothing about playing for an entire service, or yet alone direct the choir, but she told me that she wouldn't have asked me if she didn't think I was ready for it, so I did. Wow what a great experience that was and a successful experience. Not only did I play all the hymns and all of the service, I directed the choir, and everything. After the service, many people including the choir members came up to me and told me what an "Outstanding Job I had Done", and that this wouldn't be the first time nor the last time that I would play there. After everyone had left, the preacher of that church at the time, asked me to again play the Postlude for him again as he really liked what I had done, and so I did, and he encouraged me more. Well folks, that's how it started for me, and to this day I still play the organ from time to time and I love it. Please don't get mad at me for such a long post, but instead, encourage those that have an interest in the organ to continue on. I am glad that I did, and I learned alot during those times. I still take organ lessons, and wow what experiece I have gained. Oh well feel free to post to this message as I have done. Again sorry for such a long posting.
I was born and raised in New York City in the midst of the theatre pipe organs at the Roxy, N.Y. Paramount and Radio City Music Hall. My mother studied theatre organ with Jesse Crawford at Steinway Hall in Manhattan in 1948 and 1949. She was of course my teacher.
I played a huge Allen Analog Organ in school, installed after tearing out an Aeolian Skinner 3/28 that they said could not be fixed. The kids in the neighborhood ran up and down the streets blowing little flue pipes (YIKES).
The first pipe organ I played was for a variety show in 1955 on a Hall and Sons 2/9 all under expression. That set my love of theatre pipe organs. Then for years we raised our family and just played the two Hammonds we had, an X-66 and an X-77 with extra Leslie speaker cabs on both.
Glad to be back at theatre pipes again.
I get to play the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ installed at Grace Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida on a regular basis.
I belong to four theatre organ societies. The American Theatre Organ Society, Manasota Theatre Organ Society (MTOS)(Sarasota Florida), Central Florida Theatre Organ Society (Pinellas Park Florida) (CFTOS) and the Cinema Organ Society of Great Britain. I am also a member of the Board of Directors of both Manasota and Central Florida Theatre Organ Societies, Concert Publicist for MTOS and webmaster for Central Florida. Please visit www.CFTOS.com
J.Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 WurliTzer I play this organ on a regular basis. It belongs to the Manasota Theatre Organ Society. Located at the Grace Baptist Church in Sarasota Florida.........
In 1996, the MTOS found a WurliTzer theatre pipe organ in a warehouse in Miami, Florida. The instrument was originally installed in the Florida Theatre in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1927. On a couple of hot August weekends, members convoyed to Miami with a rental truck and removed the organ, piece by piece and hauled it back to a warehouse in Sarasota. The organ was completely disassembled and rebuilt by MTOS members.
. The organ was expanded to 32 ranks. The church would use the instrument for their services and for classical and religious concerts, while MTOS members would hold meetings there and would present theatre organ concerts. Provision was made for practice time for members.
. With Allen Miller's tonal design and Norman Arnold as curator, the organ has turned out to be a world-class instrument! Want to hear a sound clip of this organ?
Go To...http://www.organmusicians.com/View.asp?id=Chaz
My personal organ is a Rodgers 321 with external Leslie.............cool sound.
I guess my love for the organ grew out of hearing a particular organist at church. At the time there were two organists. I think the other one had had some training as I recall seeing him use both feet. The other however hadn't, she had only had a couple years of piano at that. However, her chords and registrations were usually magnificent. She still plays in the church today, and many times we do piano and organ duets.
Through church, I developed a great love for gospel organ as well as a more "liturgical" approach too. Seeing Diane Bish every week on TV was another big factor in my love for the instrument as well as the Paramount Music Palace in Indianapolis with it's 4/42 Wurlitzer.
One day I was in while she was practicing and she showed me the proper way to play the pedals. F pedal for an F chord etc. That got me really going. My piano teacher was another darned good left-footer. I took organ from her for a while.
It wasn't until my freshman year of highschool, after playing since the 3rd or fourth grade, and playing for prayer meeting since the fifth grade, that I started lessons on a wonderful 3/42 Austin. I learned so much in those four years. My teacher was wonderful, encouring my desire and love for playing more than just the traditional hymns and repitiore, which I also love. I wish I could say the same for my current professor.
Currently I'm entering my junior year of college and still taking organ lessons, although I don't get as much enjoyment out of them. I feel like I'm being forced into a box.
How did I become an organist? I have to admit that its been so long ago that I hardly remember.
When I was 5 years old I started taking piano lessons and played my first piano solo at church for a Christmas program at about 6 years old - I can't remember what I played. At about 13 years old I started playing for 'Junior Church', and just a couple of months later substituted for the regular pianist for the regular church service. I continued this for a few months and then began sharing by playing every other week.
The church obtained an organ through a donation by a member. I believe it was an "Organtron" or something like that. The regular pianist began playing it and I played the piano in our Gospel style church service. Both the piano and organ were used for prelude duets and during the song service. After she had played the organ for a few months, she asked if I would like to try it, which I did. We then began switching back every month. I continued this arrangement for about 7 years. Self taught!
I was called to audition as pianist for a Gospel quartet group and was 'hired' on the spot. Playing for the quartet at many country churches and listening to the greats on records like the Blackwood Brothers, Statesmen, and others gave me the inspiration for this gospel style of playing.
At age twenty and as a newly married husband, I relocating to the Chicago surburbs to find a job and answered an ad for a church pianist. The minister suggested I attend the service and see what I thought of the church. When I arrived that sunday morning, the regular pianist became so nervous that they asked me to play the service. I was hired and played the piano for the church for about 3 years before the church bought a Hammond C3. I switched to the organ and played it for the next 17 years. I retired as regular organist and my wife and I started attending her church. Her church has a pipe organ that I have substitued on several times playing a liturgical service.
My only training was about 4 years of piano lessons, and as an young adult 2 years of 'pop' music learning and using the chord method. Prior to this I needed music that was written out with bass and keyboard notes. Now it was possible to read just the melody and chord and do all the fill in by ear. After 60 years at the keyboard I still enjoy the music I play - both hymns and theatre music altho I've been on a plateau for the last 40 years. I have a Rodgers Trio and a Yamaha digital piano in my music room.
I loved listening to piano and organ music from the days when I was just a little kid; took lessons when I was in my early teens; played for church services for many years; loved the sound of the theatre organ from the day when I first heard George Wright play the SF FOX on a HIFI LP.
I am amazed at the quality of the sound of these new sampled and digital organs; folks can now have virtual pipe organs in their own homes.
I was born and raised in New York City in the midst of the theatre pipe organs at the Roxy, N.Y. Paramount and Radio City Music Hall. My mother studied theatre organ with Jesse Crawford at Steinway Hall in Manhattan in 1948 and 1949. 
J.Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 WurliTzer
