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Ernest Martin Skinner - American Icon

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engrssc

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Ernest Martin Skinner - American Icon

PostMon Sep 15, 2014 8:50 pm

Since we have as our "default" sample set the Our Lady of Mt Carmel instrument, I have been browsing for more info on this organ builder. Found there is even a Facebook group honoring Mr Skinner here https://www.facebook.com/groups/41173727529/ with some interesting facts, pictures and opinions.

Did you know Mr Skinner's middle name? Coincidence to the name of the founder of Hauptwerk, interesting. 8)

Rgds,
Ed
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steve till

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Re: Ernest Martin Skinner - American Icon

PostMon Sep 15, 2014 10:56 pm

Apparently the link doesn't work for us old folks who know nothing about facebook...
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engrssc

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Re: Ernest Martin Skinner - American Icon

PostMon Sep 15, 2014 11:52 pm

Sorry about that. Yes, Facebook, like most other group social web sites requires that you register to be able to sign in to that group site. There are some limited access sites, specific groups require such as well. It isn't hard to sign up, they want your email address and you create a password and a profile. The one I referred to is a public accessible group. Many folks in the group are involved in restoration projects of Skinner organs. There are notices of concerts and other interesting details in regards to Skinner organs. That link will take you to a page were you can sign up if you wish. The members of that group are much smaller than the members of this Forum, some 400 or so.

Visiting some of these sites and seeing the pictures gives one a greater appreciation of the huge amount of costs, time, and work it takes to build and maintain these instruments. And then, too, the dedication it takes to restore one of them.

Here is an interesting article which appeared in the Boston Globe:

http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/travel/2014/08/07/sharonrose-pfeiffer-amazing-skinner-organ/7jdxn3J44nxPapNMopfk2M/story.html?s_campaign=8315

There is a control panel just behind the organist's head that reminds me of a LaunchPad (which it probably isn't). She mentions that the present console isn't large enough to control all of the pipework. Guess they aren't into touch screens.

Rgds,
Ed
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Jim Reid

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Re: Ernest Martin Skinner - American Icon

PostTue Sep 16, 2014 8:51 pm

I urge all to find and read a copy of "The American Classic Organ, a History in Letters" by Charles
Callahan. This is over 400 pages of letters, illustrations , etc. between many American organ builders and Henry Willis in England. Many are letters between E.M.Skinner and Willis, in fact more than one generation of Willis'! Absolutely fascinating reading, very hard to put down once started. Copies might be available
from the Organ Historical Society. You learn a great deal about Skinner and his struggles after he lost his company and on toward the end of his complete career/ life.
Jim Reid

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