Tonight the organ has arrived...!

My cell phone pictures are not soo great, but you get the idea...

A very nice driver and Michael got a chance...

PS1 Have a blessed Pentecost, with services filled with the Holy Sprit!

PS2 This week we got some nice oak finish on the organ loft, thanks to Vince VS! Today the stage for the organ console got built. A HUGE cleaning job up on the organ loft started and Martha will finish this on Monday. We tried out the scaffolding and determind that we can put that up fairly quickly on Monday... Some baseboards were put back, others will be soon. I forgot that the organ needs wind and we needed a 12" opening in the organ floor - got that cut... I hope everything will be done and ready in time - looks like just-in-time

I just got a call from the truck driver who is driving our new Casavant organ across the country...

He is in Winnipeg right now and he plans to be in BC by Saturday!!

Casavant staff will fly in by airplane and arrive in Langley on Monday...

TUESDAY it will all begin...

And....the Langley Advance is scheduled for Tuesday 10:00 AM...

 - Still some work to be done... but its getting close now! -

Today there was an announcement by the consistory that made us aware that we were worshiping in an "auditorium". I don't know why, but "auditorium" makes me think about theaters and it sounds strange to me to call the place where we worship an "auditorium".

Wikipedia says the following about "auditorium":

An auditorium (plural auditoriums, or less commonly auditoria) is the area within a theater, concert hall, or other performance space where the audience is located in order to hear and watch the performance. For movie theaters, the number of auditoriums is also expressed as the number of screens.

The term is taken from Latin; the concept is taken from the Greek auditorium which had a series of semicircular seating shelves in the theater, divided by broad 'belts', called diazomata, with eleven rows of seats between each.

Even if we delete the words "watch", "performance", theater", "screens" in this definition, it still makes me uncomfortable. Audience and auditorium seems to be one sided: the people sit back and listen. That is what most people do in an auditorium: open ears and eyes and pay attention to what is going to happen in front of you. Think also about auditoriums in universities.

The space where we worship is mostly used for worship. The elements and furniture are built and selected for that purpose. The layout is for that purpose.

The reason for calling this place an auditorium in the announcement this morning, is maybe the fear of calling it "the sanctuary"...? The sanctuary was the "Holy of Holies", where the Ark of the Covenant was in Solomon's temple. Now God dwells in the hearts of his people. Therefore some say that we should not call a physical place a "sanctuary".

But "sanctuary" has more meanings. For example think about a bird sanctuary, which means a safe place for birds. Sometimes a name/title is given because of what happens there, not because the place is something. In the church, where we worship, we come together as holy people to worship the Lord. In that case, even during the week, we can identify that place with "the sanctuary".

Worship the Lord means more than being an audience to the minister. This meaning is very limited and it is i.m.o. not correct to speak of an auditorium. We are not an audience in worship, but participants in worship - we are worshiping! That's a difference between passive and active.

Many suppliers of church related goods (church pews, bibles, collection bags, electronic equipment, etc.) are staying politically correct and mention both: "sanctuary or auditorium" in their documentation. It could mean that it is common to use either word. Yet, I feel that there is a difference. Most of what we (should) do in church is active participation, while listening (auditorium) is a part of this. The people that come together are holy people, set apart by the Lord.

Although our pews are comfortable, and we have a balcony in our church, and there is a projection screen (hidden) in the front, and the schools are using this room once in a while: I still prefer the word "sanctuary". It is also a reminder of what is mostly happening there...

It was a true pleasure to play in the First CRC in Lynden. Although there was not a large group of people (maybe the weather played a role), the people that were there (~250?), could sing!

My program included stanza's in either Dutch or English language. If one can sing in Dutch, there was an opportunity, but everyone could sing the English stanzas. Many people of Dutch background were singing the Dutch psalms and hymns by heart. That is a blessing, especially for the older generation!

I provided also some background about the program, and I added other interesting facts verbally in between the parts.

This was well organized. Not only was this event listed in the local newspaper (Lynden Tribune), outside the church a sandwichboard promoted this as well.

Our son Michael did not only pose outside, he also wanted a picture at the organ, just like his dad.

We wear our new outfit, a traditional costume (shirt) from Urk. In the past we have never seen these costumes in Lynden during the Holland Days. Because of the colourful fabric and the passion for (church) music that I share with the people from Urk, we had these shirts made.

About the program - the minister of the church opened with prayer and introduced me. Based on the responses afterwards, I am glad that there was an appreciation for this event. The audience included people from Ontario, Alberta (yeah... Canadians), California and Michigan. These people shared with me their memories of the Dutch organists Feike Asma, Klaas Jan Mulder, and even Piet van Egmond, for which I am thankful.

And I also noticed several people from our church, our choir, and my work - Thanks for coming, I appreciated it!

In the afternoon the weather cleared and Michael and I had a great time (Marijke is ill ). Colouring small wooden shoes, enjoying some "kroketten", visiting the open market, talking with people, and browsing stores, listening to life streetmusic, and much more...

Some churches skip Ascension Day, they "do that on Sunday". Yet, they don't skip Christmas and "do that on Sunday". They don't skip Good Friday service and combine that with the Easter morning service... Yet, Ascension Day, which remembering that our King went to heaven to take his place on the right hand of the Father, seems to be less important. True, it is less romantic than the Child of Christmas.

Remembering His ascension, makes us think about His return, also on the clouds of heaven, when every eye will see Him. That is reality. Do we want give special attention to this? Maybe not, but we should...

Because He is our King...

Last week we had the Sikh parade in Vancouver and Surrey. The Chineese community celebrate their New Year with all kinds of cultural traditions. The Irish put their heritage on our calendars with St. Patrics Day. And people of Dutch heritage... don't have to be ashamed to be Dutch because they think that they are cheap, rude, etc. etc. The Dutch heritage is different than what it has become here in North America and the real Dutch culture of today is different than the culture of Dutch immigrants.  

Anyway, some people are proud of their Dutch background and proud of their Dutch herritage. Every year the town of Lynden WA is celebrating Holland Days. Many families in the Lynden area have their roots in The Netherlands. 

There  are more cities that have a significant number of Dutch immigrants and their children. But especially Lynden takes pride in their heritage. The Dutch culture, Dutch symbols, Dutch traditional clothing, historical Dutch buildings style, Dutch food, Dutch language, and many more things...

Next weekend you are invited by the Lynden Camber of Commerce to the Lynden Holland Days celebration: May 2 and 3 (Fri/Sat). This true family event features ongoing festivities. See here the schedule of events. Definitely worthwhile attending for the whole family.

The Cornerstone Christian School performs Saturday at 11:00 AM during the opening ceremonies. Following that there will be the traditional Dutch Hymn Sing and Organ Recital at noon. The brochure says:

"Be transported to the Netherlands as you sing along to traditional Dutch hymns. Enjoy a special solo organ performance by Canadian organist Frank Ezinga. First Christian Reformed Church at 10th & Front."

I am honored to play for this event. I am not sure what "Canadian organist" means... altough I live in Canada, I still have the Dutch nationality, got my musical education in Holland and lived there most of my life. But for the people in Lynden the fact that I come from across the border is all that counts

If you are around in Lynden next weekend, I would appreciate your presence, as I will program a some Psalms and Hymns from the Book of Praise as well. Yes, some songs will be sung in Dutch, but I will also add some stanza's in English. It would be really nice to give the people of Lynden the experience of singing in a full church!

No not the church, but the building

(Sunday April 6)
The old organ...

After the oak panelling was removed (Saturday April 12), the organs of the organ were exposed...

Help was provided by the younger generation as well...

Removal of the organ (April 14 - 18)
The facade pipes were removed first as well as the shutters of the Swell.
All 1200 pipes were handed down and placed in order in the fellowship hall.

Pipes in the hall...

The heavy (600 pounds) windchest was removed with a Genie lift operated by the new owner. 

(April 22)
Removing the curved wall which will be replaced by a light oak structure after the new organ is installed.
Notice that the cedar on the back wall has been removed as well.

Drywall being installed on the walls for improved accoustical characteristics of the sanctuary. Curved wall behind the pulpit has been removed.

The experts are adding joists and reinforcing the floor.

The view of the minister from the pulpit, looking up.

The floor was finally finished at 11:00 PM on April 22,
just in time for the morning crew that would build scaffolding on the floor.

(April 24)
The drywall is being installed. Behind the pulpit will be finished straight.
On the organ platform is scaffolding as that is pretty much finished as well.
Before Sunday there is some work to be done...

Thanks to the ongoing service and support from Ron Wiegers, Gord Vandeburgt, Jason DeGlint, Warren Tams, Bram Eigenraam, Ed Kieneker, Peter VanSeters, and of course Andy Roukema (random order) and many interested people that provide moral support and advice ! We're just halfway, but on schedule! And most of the work is supposed to be completed by next week DV...

While in Montreal last week, we went to the Notre Dame Basilica. Here a short video (thanks to Peter Van Seters). This organ is from 1891 and has 90 stops and over 7000 pipes... As you can see and hear... pipe organs still play after 100 years The organist of the Basilica is assisting me...

 It is almost impossible to describe the experience of our trip to Casavant. I will make a slide show later, but herewith some pictures. It was like a dream - the pictures are the proof that it was real (I took 338 pictures, the rest of the team ditto).

1. Pictures of the new Langley organ
"Casavant Opus 3872"

Our new organ is built up in one of the halls. Anita plays and Peter, Bill, Ray and Bram are in discussion with Mr. Jaquelin Rochette, Tonal Director at Casavant.

The walkway between the Great and Swell. The opening in the center will allow our main church column/pillar to go through.

Pipes of the Swell - beautiful!

Pipes of the Great and not even the facade pipes! 

The manuals - all keys are protected with paper. The 'black' keys are made of a type of Rosewood .

The pedals.
The metal pedals are shaped in the typical Casavant style!

2. Pictures of our tour of the Casavant facilities

The Casavant facilities. In this house the Casavant family lived in the 1800's.  

The large halls with several levels.

More of those, making more than 100,000 sqft of production floor with 90 staff. 

Mr. Rochette showing the archives of Casavant Freres. This drawing is from 1920. Municipalities and churches often inquire about original drawings.

In the office of the designer of our organ  (facade). We discussed the symbolism of an angel...

Being educated about wind chests.

In the foundry discussing the process of melting metal alloys .

The "soup" is hot, liquid metal!

Spreading the metail on the table: like a mirror so clear! 

Bill receives some more instruction...

After it has hardened, the metal is rolled up...

More organ building lessons...!

Wood working is of interest to Ray and Peter.

Large - Bill could crawl into this pipe of a 32' stop...

 3. Pictures of the
Ste-Famille Church of Boucherville

Exterior of this neat small church

The interior is all painted! 

The organ facade 

The ceiling!

Playing.... 

4. Pictures of the Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal where we met the organist Mr. Pierre Grandmaison.

In front of the church 

This IS the church... 

Inside all and only colours - indirect light - marvelous.

The organ in the back on the SECOND balcony!

I could play this instrument under supervision and with necessary assistance from the organist.
The Great has a 32' stop on the manual. Over 90 stops to select from... Built in 1890 by Casavant with assistance from Cavaille-Coll from Paris...

We have even seen the inside! 

We were on an organ crawl - literally!

The manuals...

 Playing Gigout's toccata. Marvelous!
Such a grand instrument, with such a history.
Even Alexandre Guilmant has played this instrument...!

Much to be thankful for.
We arrived safely back at YVR on Friday night. Looking back at the pictures,
and looking forward to the arrival of Opus 3872 on May 12 (the Lord willing)!

To see, play and hear the new Casavant Opus 3872!

Leave Wednesday / Return Friday
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