We are always delighted when a church chooses to purchase a Viscount organ. Especially having done their own lengthy research into the various brands available.
A decision to purchase a Viscount Envoy 35-F
It is exactly what happened earlier this year when we were contacted by Reg Huxtable from Our Lady and The English Martyrs Catholic Church in Burnham-on-Sea. The church had decided to complement their Walker extension organ with a new digital instrument.
Their old instrument was becoming unreliable and costly to maintain. The balcony location of their pipe organ also meant it was very difficult for the organist to hear the congregation on the ground floor. This in turn made it difficult to balance the sound. The organist was also detached from the service and didn’t feel they were able to participate fully.
Our colleague Richard Patt visited the church and met with the organ committee. After discussions it was decided that the Viscount Envoy 35-F with an external speaker system would be the ideal choice of organ for the requirements of the church. Crucially though, the pipe organ would remain untouched so it could still be used if and when required.
When the concept of purchasing an organ arose, Terry Brewer did an initial research on all models available from all manufacturers. We then looked at the various models and found that the Envoy 35-F provided far and above others, in terms of functionality and value for money.
I presented this to our Annual Parish General Meeting for approval and later to the Parish Finance Committee with a firm proposal of purchase. They agreed that the instrument was priced in our ball park and had all the attributes needed for our Church.
Reg Huxtable (organ committee member)
Installation of the Organ and Speakers
After the initial site visit, it was decided the organ console would be located on the ground floor on a mobile plinth. This was so it could be moved for concerts and other events. The speakers were to be hidden on the top of the swell box of the pipe organ. This makes it appear as if the sound is coming from the pipe organ itself.
After the physical installation, our tonal finisher (Jeremy Meager) spent a day balancing and voicing the organ. This was to ensure the instrument was set-up specifically for the building and took advantage of the wonderful acoustic there. The organ certainly did sound wonderful at the end of the day!
Organists Diana Perry and Terry Brewer are now looking forward to getting to grips with the organ. Exploring all the new tone colours and playing aids available to them.
I have played the church organ since the age of 11. I am organist at my local catholic church as well as accompanist for a small choral group and keyboard player in a function band. I am committed to ensuring Viscount customers get industry leading service and advice, resulting in the very best organ to suit their needs, be it church, school, home or concert hall.
