Students have dissected an organ this summer, restoring and replacing elements that don't work anymore so that it will be as good as new. When it's complete, this organ won't pump blood or digest food, it will play music.
The University of Oklahoma is restoring the M.P. Moller organ, built in 1931. When completed, it will play varieties of music -- theatrical, orchestral, choral and silent movie accompaniment.
The public can view the progress of the organ's restoration at the American Organ Institute's open house 6-8 p.m. Sept. 1 at the pipe organ shop, 2101 W. Tecumseh Road, Suite C.
About six or eight OU students worked on the instrument this summer, said John Riester, shop manager at the American Organ Institute, OU's organ program.
"So we're going to be showcasing their work at this event," he said.
The open house is free and open to the public. Visitors will be able to see the progress that has been made on the organ and talk to the workers personally.
The students and organ shop workers created a smaller working version of the Moller organ. This "mini-Moller" will be installed in Sharp Concert Hall in Catlett Music Center at OU so it can be used while funding is raised to restore the entire organ and install it in Sharp.
"This will kind of wet people's whistle and build interest for the program while the rest of the instrument is being restored," Riester said.
The full instrument has 86 ranks, or sets of pipes. The miniature version has 14, but it's enough to use the organ for a variety of events, Riester said, including flutes, trumpets, percussion, chimes, bells and whistles.
The mini-Moller will be installed in Sharp Hall starting mid-November, he said.
Dan Sliger, instrumental music education senior, has worked on the organ all summer. He was interested in taking organ lessons, but was invited to help restore the organ because of his woodworking experience.
He has spent his time in the organ shop repairing cracks in the wood and rebuilding pieces that have deteriorated.
"We have built the support structures for basically anything that has to go in the organ," Sliger said.
He spent Monday morning rebuilding a wooden cube that was needed for the bass drum sound the organ makes.
"It was cracked and there was a hole that didn't need to be there," Sliger said. There is actually a bass drum in the organ, and when the organ player pushes a key, a mechanical device causes air to rush into the box, expanding the leather around it, causing the hammer to hit the drum.
Sliger said the most challenging aspect of his craft is trying to make his work blend into the old craftsmanship. But he said he loves it.
"A lot of this is challenging mentally because we're basically trying to recreate what was done in the 1930s."
For more information about the open house, call 325-7829.
Julianna Parker 366-3541 jparker@normantranscript.com
Local news
OU organ institute to show off students' summer work
- Local news
-
-
Veterans, community remember the fallen
Wesley Carroll lives on, but countless numbers of his friends and family have been laid to rest after their service in conflicts dating as far back as the 18th century....
-
Deputies arrest 10
Cleveland County sheriff’s deputies made 10 arrests in a Saturday night and early Sunday morning saturation patrol....
-
Troopers release name in Thunderbird drowning
Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers have released the deceased’s name in a weekend drowning at Lake Thunderbird....
-
Holiday fun
Sunday wasn’t just another church night at Harvest Church. The church’s pre-Memorial Day fellowship event featured a monster truck show, bike stunts and fireworks, among other things....
-
Volunteers clean up Bishop Creek
Norman’s Bishop Creek is home to a lot more than frogs, turtles and water skimmers, a group of volunteers say....
-
More travelers to hit the road this Memorial Day
NEW YORK — More Americans will hit the road this holiday weekend than a year ago. And they’ll have a bit more money to spend thanks to lower gas prices....
-
OBA names officers
TULSA — Brad Swickey, president and CEO of Valliance Bank in Oklahoma City, was inducted as chairman of the Oklahoma Bankers Association at the OBA’s 115th Leadership Forum and Annual Convention, held May 14 and 15 at the Renaissance Hotel ...
-
Rig count down by 3 to 1,983
HOUSTON — The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is down three this week to 1,983....
-
Cornerstone Metals Recycling opens in Norman
Cornerstone Metals Recycling has officially opened a recycling facility in Norman at 2350 Industrial Blvd. The facility will provide easy access drive-through for recyclers in the Norman area including South Oklahoma City, Moore and Pauls ...
-
Agriculture Department spurring exports
International Market Development Coordinator Barbara Charlet is constantly finding new ways to introduce Oklahoma’s agricultural products to foreign markets. With 18 years of experience in the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and ...
- More Local news Headlines
-
