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Dave Babbitt
Приєднався 9 тра 2014
Farewell to First Baptist Church Pipe Organ
In late October of 2023, the Karn-Warren pipe organ of First Baptist Church, Wallaceburg, Ontario, Canada was removed. The instrument fell silent in June of 2022 when long-serving organist Barbara Myers retired from the organ bench. The instrument sat untouched for over a year and in sitting, fell into disrepair and required extensive work. Unable to secure a replacement organist, it was decided to remove it. This short video was made in its last few days.
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Відео
Failroad
Переглядів 63Рік тому
This is my suggestion for the railroad that USED to run through Wallaceburg
Sweet, Sweet Spirit
Переглядів 171Рік тому
I love vocal harmony. I originally heard The Imperials do this years ago. More recently, my favourite vocal group, The Gaither Vocal Band recorded this song. I LOVE the intricate harmonies. I had to change the key because the arrangement required me to hit notes at the absolute extremities of my range. It was a great challenge for myself and when I played the final product for my Mom, she insta...
Todd Man
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My friend "Todd" rides his bike past my house every day. The horn is annoying and THEN....he rubs in how much exercise he's getting. This, is the result of his taunting......
Life's Railroad
Переглядів 21Рік тому
I heard the Oak Ridge Boys sing this very old gospel song on the Farewell Tribute to The Cathedrals concert DVD and fell in love with it. I put my own twist to it to make the second verse more up-tempo. I really need to re-record it as a few of the highest notes are a bit flat. (It was right at the absolute top of my range) Oh well, until I get to it, this is a reasonable facsimile.
Snowmobiling in the Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve
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A recent Facebook post on a group that I follow asked what it was like snowmobiling in the Haliburton Forest. Having snowmobiled there many times and most recently February of 2021, I decided to throw together some of my video footage, a few stills, and provide a narrated "Directors Cut" outlining some of the key features of "The Forest" as it's known by. I hope this brief video will provide th...
A Million Dreams
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This was a months-long project of the Wallaceburg Concert Band. Frustrated by not being able to gather due to COVID lockdowns and fluctuating gathering number limitations, we decided to record a selection....one musician at a time. The song is "A Million Dream" from the movie "The Greatest Showman" and most appropriate for the times we find ourselves in.
The Coming of the Prince
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In December of 1969, the 5 Public Elementary Schools in Wallaceburg, Ontario at the time, D.A. Gordon, A.A. Wright, H.W. Burgess, Central and W.T. Laing pooled their collective talents to present a Christmas concert that was staged at D.A. Gordon. This rather large scale presentation was audio recorded by engineer Harry Rofel of Chatham, Ontario after which vinyl records were pressed and sold t...
Good ol' Acapella
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When COVID struck, I needed to do something to occupy my time so.... I drifted across the street to where our band rehearses, pulled out my multi-track recorder and started recording some goofy songs by myself. This one is The Nylons used to do and I've always liked it. LONG LIVE DOO-WOP!
Holy Is The Lord
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With beautiful harmonies by Franz Schubert, I set this piece to pictures of the churches of Wallaceburg.
No Return Ticket
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The late Al Mann was Wallaceburg's treasure. Taking over from his father Frank, Al carried the torch as Wallaceburg's Historian. Everyone who hailed from Wallaceburg for decades, knew of Al and his encyclopedic knowledge of our local history and the history books that he authored. He had a deep interest in Wallaceburg's Veterans and over the course of six years, researched, wrote and assembled ...
Happy Wanderer Final
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This was the first of 3 silly video's our Brass Quartet shot in the "Summer of COVID". I had a full band arrangement of this old gem we sang in elementary school so I reduced it to 5 parts for our quintet. As always, be sure to watch AFTER the credits for some silliness.
Life's Railroad & Duke of Earl
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I've been posting some of my silly COVID quartet projects recently and here are 2 more that I will share. The first song I recorded a couple of months ago and then I'm reaching into the vault for a moldy oldie. This is another crazy combination of a gospel song followed by an old doo-wop song. The first song I heard on a DVD celebrating the career of The Cathedrals, one of the most revered gosp...
Bethel Pentecostal Church Living Christmas Tree
Переглядів 2743 роки тому
Bethel Pentecostal Church Living Christmas Tree
What a sad waste. So many churches today would have loved to have that organ. While it is true that evangelical churches have abandoned the organ in favor of top 40 nonsense, the organ (and organists) remain a vital part of Christian worship in Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopal, Catholic, Disciples of Christ etc. churches. Throwing a pipe organ in the dumpster is outrageous. The organ could have been put to good use rather than trashing it. This is shocking.
So sad.
sadly I know of churches who have perfectly fine working organs who rarely use it anymore since they started a "praise band" with guitars, drums and cheap sounding keyboards. I've even heard people say the organ sounds like a "funeral" instrument. Well my answer to that is don't play funeral music on it.
And all in the key of G. 😀
Jackie just now showed this to me for the first time and it's absolutely magical. Great job all!
Been there 2years in a row heading up there on fathers day weekend for 4days looking forward to it. Love it there
This is a symptom of the decline of our civilization... We see this in South Africa as well. Very sad indeed.
Disposing an organ in the dumpster is absolutely disgusting.
That was so nice to see Ross Robertson again, through this. I remember going to several Rotary Christmas parties, as a child, and it was Ross (I think) that would set up a pair of old telephones, to facilitate a call from Santa Claus, in advance of his arrival to the party to bring gifts. Was he also a member of The Brass Factory band, during the 1980s?
I have a 1970 reuter from a Baptist church in wichita. They just cut the wires and it was unused for decades. Of course it was installed by presby. Of course!! It's never been hard for me to separate organized cults from the instruments!
This is why we cannot have nice things
they're just lucky god isn't alive to see this
Sad to see this, but it's not unique to the States, a lot of organs here in the UK are going a similar way. Just some extra info if anyone's interested: organ pipes have four general tone families: Diapasons (Principals), Flutes, Strings and Reeds. The general tone of each is (in order) Full and rich, Soft and warm, String tone (more upper frequencies), Forward, more rasping and prominent. It's not always easy to tell from looking at a pipe what family it belongs to, and there are many variations within each family, for example a reed could sound like a clarinet, oboe or trumpet (although all organ reed pipes have a single metal reed, and the different tone of double reed instruments is achieved through the shape of the large resonator). Reed pipes generally look like the pipe at 11:20, but sometimes pipes in the same family (or even the same stop) could be made from metal or wood depending on their size or the builder's preference. It's more likely that the painted metal pipes at 7:20 actually belong to the Great Open Diapason 8', which is not a pedal rank even though the pipes are big. 16' Open Diapasons which are normally a pedal rank are absolutely massive!
Could be wrong but those sure don’t sound like Baptist hymns in the background 😂
must have been tough for you to say goodbye to pipe organ, Dave , knowing how much you appreciate and admire the pipes - don't take all the stressful comments as being directed to you - cause you are just the messenger here. Appreciate all the time you and Doug to record this documentary event - it gives many folks like me a chance to get a look at the inner workings of something they will never see in their lifetime. Glad you had the foresight to produce it in such a clear and informative doc - well done! good you kept the artifact G# pipe.
The next Pastor's wife will be an organist.
What a shame this pipe organ was just trashed . it was not very well thought out and should not have been destroyed in that manner . It should have been given to a church who would use it ,or to a private individual for their home. What a shame .
Hi . Sad as it is ? What did you do with the console ? Any other church that is in similar circumstances: please DO NOT throw it in dumpster. There is a huge demand for these consoles. Please contact me if you want to know what I can do with these organs. Thank you !
What a heartbreaking tragedy. One supposes the organ has been replaced by off-key "praise leaders" bellowing into microphones, twanging on guitars, and banging on drums.
This was the poorest stewardship of the worst order. This organ could have gone to the Organ Clearing House where it could have been reused by another church or even in a private home that would have been thankful to receive it.
None of the music teachers in the local schools wanted the job? As for the organ itself, couldn't they send it to the Organ Clearing House?
It may help to know that *NOT EVERYTHING WAS TRASHED* .. Dave said in reply to another post that " ... the *organ technician who made the final assessment* agreed to help supervise its removal if he could *take the parts he wanted* first. Very few of the wood pipes were saved, but *most of the metal ones* were. He wanted the blower, wind chests, swell shutters, and a few other parts." So hopefully some of them may find their way back into service again, whether as an augmentation/repair to some existing instrument, or perhaps in the form of a smaller but completely usable instrument. Dave -- I like the underlying tone of this video -- I can now appreciate what you're doing here -- in a very quiet manner. ... :-) (PS: a lovely 1-manual 8' and 4' practice/continuo instrument could have been made from those wooden pipes lying around on the ground.)
We did end up taking several ranks of wooden pipes as well. Pretty much all the metal pipes have been taken and are being stored in my shop, except for the old painted bottom octave of 8' facade pipes. I just did not have the storage space for those. Both windchests had significant water damage so I wouldn't have been able to pay anyone to take them if I tried. The blower was taken, the bellows were taken. Unfortunately, even compared to the USA, churches are closing in Canada at a very alarming rate. I'd say that there are very few healthy churches left who can afford to do anything beyond maintain what they have. There are dozens of churches closing every year, some with very nice instruments that are being offered for free. We are just in the process of rescuing a 1990 Gabriel Kney tracker organ pretty much in the nick of time as the church is slated for demolition in a couple of months and they have had little to no interest in the instrument, even being in excellent shape.
@@derekverveer6058 Thank you for this more complete follow-up -- much appreciated. That is comforting to know. It is sad to see so many congregations folding -- not only for the loss of some very fine instruments, but for the people themselves. I'm sure that it's a mixed bag to go to the effort to try to save and preserve a completely usable instrument, and on the other hand be saddled with the uncertatinty of ever being able to realize any return for your effort and troubles.
" ... they'll be in the dumpster out in the parking lot ..." YES! That is very definitely a SAD SAD SAD statement -- sadly *IGNORANT* If the person who made that decision is still involved with decisions in this church, you may want to think .. "twice" (maybe more than twice) about any other decisions they may be charged with making. A completely ignorant understanding of how pipes can be re-used, if nothing else. Actually -- sadly, shameful.
Goes to show you some people would through out a Stradivarius because no one plays it. Seems to me this is what happened here. I know there are people that are looking fro parts for these Organs and a simple process of reaching out could have at least supplied parts to those who are restoring. I just found a home for a pipe organ, took some time, but the next caretaker is extremely pleased to have it.
It is unfortunate. I think it was a mistake to dispose of it in this way. There organ builders that may have taken it. They are still building a lot of new pipe organs, especially in the US and parts of Europe. I hope you were able to get a decent replacement.
I can't watch this. Infamita!
Please consider the Hauptwerk organs when you are ready.
This is so heartbreaking that I cannot watch the devastation of a majestic instrument! I play piano and it like taking a sledgehammer to a grand piano! These folks are so wrong !
Disgraceful and i dont even like a pipe organ, I like a Hammond. I will say this, No matter what style of music a Church uses, If i go in a Church and dont hear a organ, ill walk right out, but if I even think they play contemporary music, I wont even bother to go,
...where is the money to store that instrument that your god should be able to marshall for this need?...
Very short sighted. Pathetic that is was so casually pitched aside.
This was a disappointing and discouraging video to watch. I can only hope that the church leaders were able to contact organ mechanics in larger cities to offer the dismantled parts (console, pipes, etc.) for use where they can have a renewed life providing others with the joy of organ music.
True, he spoke the truth
I want it
Hopefully it's going to be given to a new home to be used and not thrown away 😞
Nobody seemed to mention the guy narrating the video was handling and putting LEAD on his hands and lips blowing into pipes like he did, all of the metal pipes contain lead, anywhere from almost all lead to smaller amounts on zinc used forsoldering, you cant just toss it legally in a dumpster! The outrageous thing is they just took a sawzall to it all, even the large wood pipes which were most likely made from clear sugar pine which you practically cant even buy any more, and where you can find it, its very expensive. My residence pipe organ, mostly built around a 1930 Moller came from five different churches who discarded their organs, 3 of them I totally removed myself and left the empty spaces broom-clean. I run a Facebook residence pipe organ group that has over 1,200 members in it, had some notice/heads up been put out, SOMEONE likely would have gone and removed the organ at no cost- saving at least the dumpster and disposal costs. Granted this organ isnt some rare/valuable one, just a small 15 rank common factory built instrument of little value and needing a lot of work, but it should not have been destroyed that way, the space it came from isnt even really a usable space so I don't get what the POINT was of even taking it all out.
The narrator and others are wrong about churches not using pipe organs any more and so on, my full time day job is working for a pipe organ building company with 17 employees, we have more contracts and work for NEW pipe organs and service than we can even fill, we've had to turn down a few projects because we are over booked. We just shipped a 100+ rank organ to another country it took 3 full shipping containers, we are building a new organ right now for a music university, and we have signed contracts for a number of other new large organs around the US, as well as major rebuilding projects. SOME churches have changed their worship service and no longer use an organ at all, SOME don't have the money to repair or buy new- most of these small organs were built around the 1920s thru 1950s and installed in tens of thousands of churches around the country, my 1930, 9 rank organ cost $3,750, delivered and INSTALLED! according to the original contract I have! I since added more to it, making it 14 ranks
@@HobbyOrganist That's a very good point. It seems that the viewpoint of this particular church has been artifically extended to apply universally to support their decision. But as you have said, there are *plenty* of people who know and want the sound of authentic wind moving through pipes rather than a digital instrument. Even the small 3-5 rank "chest" organs can sound better than a digital instrument.
@@aBachwardsfellow it sounds to me like a bunch of grumpy cheapskates trying to avoid paying for the organ or an organist.
@@RogerYng It wouldn’t have cost _them_ any money at all to save this organ from the dumpster. All they would have needed was to put out the word and someone would have glady removed it at no expense or difficulty for the church, and it could have been repurposed elsewhere, maybe in another church that still values traditional hymns and real instruments where it could once again be used to give glory to God. My small church could never afford a pipe organ unless it was one like this which I could remove and repair myself. Meanwhile we get along with a 60+ year old electronic organ that barely works, but I play it every Sunday, to the glory of God, and pray for something better.
Id love to play it for you! I love pipe organs and know the hymns. Or please give me the organ😢
Thank you for your profound thoughts on the state of music in many Christian churches today. No instrument honors The Father and the Son more than a good pipe organ. I enjoy listening to a UA-cam weekly broadcast called “Piping Up” from the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. That channel also has a behind the scenes view of the magnificent Tabernacle organ.
This makes my blood boil😡😡😡😡😡
Heart breaking sad thank goodness the memory is not lost there are in my little key board is a pipe organ as long as we can praise our Lord we can center on him and not on things
Thank you for doing this video. Perhaps it will prevent other churches from doing such a foolish and short-sighted thing - to destroy a wonderful pipe organ that in today's dollars, would probably cost hundreds of thousands to replace! True, this type of thing is a reflection of the times and the musical tastes of our current generations however, it really makes me sick to see such a horrible work of destruction was actually carried out
I learned about a church in the small town where I live that needs an organist and has a pipe organ. Were I not already the worship leader at another church, I'd have gladly done so. But under those conditions, I wouldn't feel right about doing so. And for the record, I was our church's organist (electronic) before being asked if I would take over song leader duties. Sadly, it now sits silent. I just wish we could get someone else who could either lead worship or play the organ, freeing me up for the other. I for one consider it a travesty that there's not more interest in the organ than what there is. To throw it all in a dumpster just makes me sick. BTW, I consider the use of contemporary Christian music in worship services to have been a big mistake. There's LOTS of good theology in the hymns that's missing in modern praise and worship music.
Interestingly enough, it seems that there is quite a marked interest in the organ these days. Just go online and have a look at all the home Hauptwerk organists. Hauptwerk and similar applications have removed the organ from stuffy closed church buildings and relocated them into the comfortable corners of living rooms and hallways in people's homes. There are *plenty* of organists enjoying the beautiful sounds of massive pipe organs from cathedrals and concert halls all over the world. They're just not particularly interested in playing hymns in churches.
Pity😮
I noticed this video is two weeks old by now as an organ tech I will say yes it’s hard to find organists but not impossible we service organs in the rural parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin. A few questions. If no one was playing the organ at this time was the instrument in the way? Did it take up space needed for other things? You could let it sit there as long as you want it to. The problem is now you have robbed future generations from ever discovering this instrument. Was there such a rush to get it out of the building? Have you asked around if organ clearinghouse would take it? It’s a very depressing video I hope more churches are not so harsh and final with decision making
I totally do not understand the mentality of "Let's throw away this organ that our congregation spent a lot of money on". Would you throw away the windows, the pews, the doors, no... pipe organs need to stay in churches, even if not played. Some people are so dumb. I am a pipe organ tech, and an organist. Stop pipe organ destruction now!
Well, I removed a 12 rank Moller from a former church in Ft Dodge, a non profit theater group bought the building for live theater, they wanted the room the organ was in and the room the blower was in to use for storage, a colleague told me about it as they called, and I went with a U-haul truck and removed it myself, it was upstairs in a chamber, the shades opened onto what is now their stage but they had nailed the shades shut and sheetrocked over it. They bought the building around 2000 and as thry couldn't get the console out the door, they just cut it up, the bench vanished, pedalboard discarded, so I never knew what the stoplist was or the like, and howver the set of chimes were powered and played- that was gone too with the console. But the big 6 rank pitman chest was too big to go out any other way but cutting it into 4 sections, the only access to the chamber was up a VERY steep winding attic stair deal about 30" wide, with a door that opened into a narrow hallway, pedal 16' big C BARELY made the turns, and even then it almost didn't make it.
The mindset of this group is awful..would never want anything to do with that church!
That is so so sad! It feels like a great injustice! I just think they could have held out for a while and be more creative in finding someone.
It's heartbreaking to see a pipe organ junked like this.
I share your pain,....and sentiment!
Let me see, food, rent, or piano lessons.
😢
a sad day indeed, as someone who is an admirer of antique technology its really sad for me.