Organ Historical Society

Michigan Chapter

 

Minutes of the October 13, 2007 Meeting

Larry Baranski introduces the group to the DIA auditorium and the 1927 Casavant organ, the console of which is in the box above the exit sign. (LISTEN)

 

Steve Schlessing demonstrates organ stops from the console in its gilded perch.

 

Steve Ball assays the stops available to the four manual console, with a little help from his friends.

 

Lee Pelton plays and MaryAnn Balduf obviously approves.

 

Stephen Warner adds his voice to the beautifully symphonic Opus 1200.

 

Ken Holden and Trevor Dodd check the spec sheet graciously supplied by the Casavant Freres Archive.

 

Membership Chairman Diane Hiltner talks with new Chapter member Dennis Ferrara.

 

Open wide! The mouth of a 32-foot pipe is ready for inspection.

 

Chapter President Carl Balduf called the October 13, 2007 meeting of the Michigan Chapter of the Organ Historical Society to order at 9:45 a.m. in the Auditorium of the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA).

 

Present were Henry Aldridge, Carl Balduf, MaryAnn Balduf, Steven Ball, Trevor Dodd,  Diane Hiltner, Dennis Ferrara, Ken Holden, Al Hunter, Lee Pelton, Steve Schlesing, Art Snook, Stephen Warner and Larry Baranski, Curator for the DIA Department of Film and Theater.

 

Balduf began the meeting with a request that the minutes of the September 22 meeting be approved as posted on the Web site and provided in printed form at the meeting. Approval was moved and seconded. The motion carried.

 

In the absence of Treasurer Terry Jankowski, there was no Treasurer's Report. The report is now available below.

 

Old Business

 

Balduf reminded the group that the Chapter Bylaws ratification process will begin after October 31, for all members paid up by that date. Dues ($10 and $5 for students) should be mailed to:

 

Diane Hiltner, Membership Chairman

3457 Gettysburg Rd

Ann Arbor, MI 48105-1504

 

New Business

 

There being no new business, Balduf thanked Mr. Baranski for hosting the meeting and giving the group a sneak preview of the newly remodeled galleries. Thanks also went to Steve Schlesing for helping to arrange the meeting.

 

Following these comments, a motion to adjourn was made and seconded. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 10. am.

 

Following the meeting, Larry Baranski provided an excellent historical perspective on the newly restored 1,100-seat DIA Auditorium and the 1927 Opus 1200 Casavant Organ, in its original configuration though in need of an estimated $500,000-worth of repair.

 

Steve Schlesing then provided details about the organ and demonstrated the working and non-working portions of the instrument. 

 

All were impressed by the fine "orchestral" timbres available from the instrument (LISTEN).

 

All in attendance received a copy of the original Opus 1200 specification, courtesy of the Casavant Freres Archives, St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada.

 

Following the extended open console, members of the group enjoyed lunch at the Traffic Jam and Snug, adjacent to the Wayne State University Campus.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Carl Balduf

President

 

Art Snook adds his talents to the open console opportunity.

 

 

Dennis Ferrara and Larry Baranski engage in some shop talk during

the session.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organ Historical Society

Michigan Chapter

 

Treasurer's Report

 

October 17, 2007

 

Opening balance as of March 7, 2007--------------------------$1379.39

Receipts (Dues)--------------------------------------------40.00

Expenditures (postage)--------------------------------------------------------14.26

Closing Balance as of 10-13-07--------------------- ------------$1405.13

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

/s/ Terry Jankowski

Treasurer

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