I am working on an article pertaining to old organs found in most Masonic Lodges.

Much of the music has fallen by the wayside, and I've even seen old pump organs sitting in the corner, unused.

The hymns would be recognized by 'old timers' as they are tunes that were transportable, similar to the US national anthem which appears in many old books as a Masonic tune back as far as the 1760's.

There is a dearth of people able to play organs, and even I prefer my keyboards to the 'organ in the corner'.

However the debate we have at times pertains to the tone, and what the organ can do.

Someone too, a B4 (a b3 with a 'skirt') and threw it out, putting in a 2 manual Yamaha circa 1975 saying it was a much better machine, the old one had a starter and it was finicky, best to show up very early to try 20 times to start the beast.

Back to the question, as I'm trying to find pro sounding banks as examples of how a hollywood bound musical arrangement would sound if they paid big bucks for the sound bank. I assume, like piano sounds, there are expensive versions of this which studios now use instead of having an organ in the corner of the studio.

Thoughts, examples, and opinions are welcome.

I wish they had asked me about that B4, but it was a committee of non musical types thinking they did a good thing scrapping it.

Life marches on, but my marching days are over. Can't blow the horn in a marching band and carry a cane, and can't walk without the cane.

Got to run, I took off my sweatshirt, had a 'jerk' and sliced my forehead with my thumbnail and red stuff is running in my eye.

I'm going to get me a manicure, I'm dangerous with the scissors.

John Conley
Musica est vita