The 24-Note 4-Stop Idea
December 29, 2025 18:53
This is the eighteenth post in a blog series where I have, until now, been conducting a design study focused on building a conceptual organ for a Minneapolis church. The study uses pipes from their existing mid-industrial era gallery organ to explore possibilities for a 43-note continuo suited to this specific space. I draw on my familiarity with both the materials and the space, having served as an organist there for eight years.
Now and then, while searching for something at my workshop, I come across a small part of my organ inventory. Unlike some builders, what I have amounts to not much, but I hold onto it because it seems to have value. Well, I came across something recently that made me wonder whether I could use the parts I have to help catalyze a self-financed subset of the 43-note continuo. The new instrument would have to satisfy the following outcomes.
- Demonstrate a historically informed artisan-built organ using recycled industrial-era materials.
- Demonstrate an organ that invites collaborative inclusion.
- Demonstrate a functional instrument with a sustainable cost of ownership.
- Demonstrate a historically underdamped wind system.
- Demonstrate a multi-use community space installation.
Using a piano, I found I could build an instrument containing at most 24 notes that would produce those outcomes. The next step was to design a 24-note instrument using design objects from my 43-note continuo. Finally, I needed to assess whether I could self-fund the design. For these reasons, you haven’t seen a blog entry from me in some time.
Someone recently suggested that I crowd-source funding for a 24-note project. If you have ideas, let me know.
This may be where the blog's premise takes a turn, where I describe my progress in building an actual pipe organ rather than the conceptual design work I evolved over time. Entries will be less frequent.
Funding will be an issue. But I have always preferred an innovative solution, and I established the Gorham Street Pipe Organ Company to build one.
This entry marks the end of an interesting and transformative year. Wishing you all the best and looking forward to what the new year brings.
Posted December 29, 2025 18:53
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