C. Anthony Pessarra 281.488.2055 KeyArts@att.net 14703 Sugar Plum Ln, Houston, TX 77062 To: November 11.10.12 The Members of the Session - First Presbyterian Church, Galveston Greetings! INTRODUCTION I am writing to provide a professional opinion concerning the options before us regarding the organ initiative to be considered. This includes the purchase of the Rodgers Trillium Organ and the Hook & Hasting organ restoration, while at the same time giving attention to various other preservation projects. The organ committee had several meetings, expert testimony and advice as to what is needed including close approximate costs. I. WHAT WE NEED AND WHEN WE NEED IT After much discussion and a trip to hear and play a typical pipe/digital organ, it is obvious that additional digital organ resources are necessary that are far beyond the Hook & Hastings capabilities. In order to support a first class music program that encompasses worship services, weddings, choral and instrumental music, musical events and concerts, there is a pressing need for a superb organ as the central feature at the core. The Hook & Hastings has provided reasonable service for many years. However for an ambitious music program there must be more. It is always the case that the largest churches with the significant and best organs will consistently receive the most attention by the general community. This is true for First Presbyterian as well and is the reason that myself and the organ committee agree that the Trillium organ should be seriously considered. The Trillium is the foundation of a significant pipe/digital instrument that will result in one of the finest instruments possible. II. ORGAN COSTS COMPARISONS For a perspective keep in mind: a 180 rank, 100% pipe organ will cost about $5,000,000. Maintenance will be ongoing and still higher cost as time goes on. Similar stories abound in the organ world where even large churches cannot support the cost of maintenance, especially of older organs. Salvation for the pipe organ poor, so-to-speak, has been answered through digital technology. The current impact of new digital sampling technology allows an organist in Galveston to be able to play on a fine digital organ, the ex-
act same sounds and tonal colors from great organs world-wide and the sonic splendor associated with them. Realizing this capability, the organ committee is united regarding the option to utilize the best digital console combined with the Hook & Hastings organ. This combination will provide the ultimate of organ performance with modern technology. The following is an approximation of the cost figures for both the H & H and the Rodgers Trillium: Reference Average Price - $5,000,000 Cost of a new 180 Rank Pipe Organ Hook & Hasting Restore: $450,000 pipes, wind, chests. (1/11th of reference price) The Trillium Organ 180 stops, 5 manual console: $285,000. (1/17th of reference price) TOTAL COST: $735,000 (1/7th of reference price) With this instrument, the organ will be a definitive musical instrument capable of the performance and realization of all of the organ literature, not to mention many musical styles. The Five Manual Trillium Rodgers console is the best available. This is a fully custom organ allowing a wealth of custom voicing, tuning, and the addition of organ voices yet to be digitized. Additionally after the restoration, the Hook & Hastings pipes will play a dual part in the tonal fabric as a. a stand-alone instrument and b. also as part of the tonal texture of the finished organ project. We have had a bid from Fratelli Ruffatti Organs in the $450,000 range of a complete restore of the Hook & Hastings organ with production time of 6-9 months, and the offer by Rodgers on the Trillium console at approximately $285-$300,000 with a production time of c. 4-6 months. This is an exceedingly good price for discussion. In addition W. Schlueter Organ Company and Schantz Organs have offered to bid on the restoration/ rebuild of the Hook organ. I propose that we purchase the Rodgers Trillium, that will instantly provide full organ resources upon delivery and install. The deadline for the price concession of $125,000, will end January, 1 2013. There is a progressive payment system available of c. $20,000 on order and additional payments throughout a schedule concluding after all installation has been done. (details available) I am told that funds are available from a donor and/or other sources. These pipe organ companies will follow through on bids for the Hook & Hastings which may take some time into 2013. The logical reasoning would be to order the new Trillium to be in use immediately for all of the worship services, weddings, recitals, and the regular events. Inaugural concerts 2
that normally follow a new organ installation, can be held to acquaint the congregation and the Houston/Galveston community as to its existence. III. RESTORATION OF THE HOOK ORGAN AND OTHER RESTORATION PROJECTS Knowing that the stained glass windows need attention I am suggesting this delay of the Hook organ in order to complete the windows. It will allow a non compete situation between the pipe organ and the needed windows work. A capital project could begin any time after the Trillium organ is installed for the Hook rebuild. During that period the attention that will be focused upon the new Trillium and First Presbyterian, will set the stage for the final completion of the pipe organ in 3 to 5 years. Certainly that could come quicker depending on funds. We absolutely cannot wait three to five or more years for the Hook to be rebuilt before funding the Trillium. If we do not act in a timely manner this will result in a lack of music program growth. Costs in the next three to five years will escalate and may not allow for an instrument of this quality. The Trillium is inspiring and energizing when people realize what this can really mean to the church and to the community at large. IV. MOMENTS OF TRUTH I find myself in a precarious situation. In attempting to use the temporary organ, I find the state of the organ is essentially untenable for serious musical purposes. It is next to impossible to perform accompaniments, concert pieces, present the great hymns or the grand processionals for weddings and other events. Recitals and concerts are out of the question. The nature of this organ eliminates most possibilities of which I am capable. Certainly I can play this instrument, and have done so for about a year now and I think everyone knows this. However, in a playing situation where justice to any musical program is needed, it cannot be achieved, regardless of the skill of the organist. This has become an issue that will continue. I and the music director, Beth Slaughter, are willing to develop a high end musical program centered around the Trillium/pipe digital organ, encompassing a wealth of musical events and programs for a noteworthy music department at First Presbyterian. V. POSSIBILITIES FOR THE FUTURE I look forward to playing this organ and providing the cathedral ambiance it produces and a thousand colors of tone and expression. The possibilities of the Trillium, not to mention the addition of the pipe organ in the future, will change the dynamic of First Presbyterian, the music program and the stature of the church in the broader community. I am requesting that we should proceed on this. The construction time is close to five months which gives time for additional fund raising if needed. I am available to answer any of 3
your questions and if necessary to have any of the respective committee members hear similar organs in the Houston area. My goals are quality music outreach, weddings, concerts and media transmission to the general public. This organ will come to be a central icon of the church and the leading exponent around which the Christian musical heritage will be expressed. The Rodgers Trillium Custom Five Manual Concert Organ combined with the Hook & Hastings Historic Organ At First Presbyterian Church, Galveston Texas will necessarily have a shorter name at some point. Whatever it is called one thing is sure, it is going to play the most divine up lifting, motivating,soul stirring sounds that could be found between Galveston and New York City! I assure you that you have one of the great rooms for such an instrument. I have a vision for this organ which is personal but I wanted to share a glimpse of possibilities. I would love to see this become a center of musical excellence... in the very top of the tree, not taking second best but where you have one of the finest instruments anywhere. Some mention has been made regarding the possibility of creating a memorial organ project. This could take the form of a fund raising project or endowment, donation, or church funds plus memorial donation funds. There are various means in promotion of memorial organ placements that Rodgers Organs could assist you with. You could also ask the trustees of the church or ask legal council as to the best path to take. The installation of a memorial organ is always significant in the community at large, drawing interest and creating performance possibilities that benefit the church and of the musical interests of the larger community. The installation of the Trillium organ has the ability to attract membership, wide interest and a multiplicity of events. One must understand that this is not just buying an organ, it is such a significant and dynamic change that it will be difficult to characterize here. In no uncertain terms, from the first time the Trillium Organ sounds the first hymn, the change will be awesome and will be a quantum leap into the top echelons of organs, events and the church music program as it evolves. Pipe and digital/pipe organs are more numerous each passing year. Where there were limitations we have unlimited scope by including digital. Where we had apologies we now see acclamations from parishioners and musicians alike. Combination digital/pipe organs will play all musical styles from praise music to Theatre organ music. From Bach to Rock...they say in some circles, but still the organ is the church s principal instrument that best proclaims the Word of God through music. 4
VI. CONCLUSION To summarize, both Beth and I concur on the above request and procedures proposed for the organ projects and the timeliness of the purchase of the Trillium organ. This will be the 6th month of conversations with organ personnel from various makers, and the organ committee discussions. It has taken considerable time and preparation on my part to get to this point. We have the funds to start the procedure in purchasing the Trillium organ and have considerable time to raise funds if needed to complete the first phase of the project. With all due diligence I have selected the best digital system in the Trillium 1138 which will become the foundation of a superlative musical instrument at First Presbyterian. We respectfully request a decision on the matter as soon as possible due to the reasons mentioned above. Both Beth and I are available for direct conversations with the Session and we request a meeting with the Session to present this project in person. This is a pivotal decision that will positively affect the stature, prominence and recognition of First Presbyterian Galveston for decades to come. Respectfully, Beth Slaughter C. Anthony Pessarra 11.10.12 5
RODGERS ORGAN Trillium 1138 MASTERPIECE Position in Choir area Console Details 6