In February of this year, we received an email from the organist, Roger Tempest at South Aston United Reformed Church in Birmingham. Their 1980’s Wyvern drawstop organ had given up the ghost after around 40 years of good service.
Roger had been looking on our website and was drawn to our new Ensign 42-FV as an instrument within budget, and that would give the facilities, quality of tone and range of sounds the church required. After a visit to our showroom with other members of the church committee, the Ensign 42-FV was ordered.
Evaluating the space and speaker placement
The image above shows old Wyvern organ with external speaker on the raised floor area in the background.
A consideration of the new installation was where to locate the speakers for best effect. We find the best location for speakers is usually as high off the ground as possible and facing towards a reflective surface that sound can bounce off and then dissipate evenly throughout the space to give a rich, even tone throughout.
It was agreed that the best place for an array of external speakers was high up on the brick wall behind the new console. A separate powered bass speaker would be placed on the floor close to the console, with the main amplifier inside the console for ease of maintenance and tidiness.
The three main speakers, in black casings, situated on the wall behind the organ console. These face slightly upwards so the sound is less direct.
Installation and voicing
After installation, the instrument was voiced and balanced to make sure it sounded the very best for the building, whilst taking into consideration the wishes of the organist.
A joyful result, and happy organist
The organ has now been fully installed and has been well received by all. Organist, Roger Tempest said ‘The installation went very well. I sat down at the organ afterwards and was almost literally blown away – like stepping from a Morris Minor to a Bentley!’
It’s always a pleasure to help a church find the right instrument for their needs, this project was especially enjoyable. Hearing how thrilled Roger was with the new Ensign 42-FV, really makes our day. We wish the congregation many happy years of music-making with their new organ.
Full testimonial from Roger Tempest:
“When our ancient but much-loved organ at South Aston Church finally gave up the ghost, we were in two minds about a replacement; as the Sunday congregation is unspectacular. For a while we managed with a keyboard and combo amp, and I looked into the possibility of converting the defunct organ to Hauptwerk or Grandorgue.
Eventually we made the trip to Bicester and decided to splash out on an Ensign 42-FV with external speakers. This was installed with minimal fuss and comprises 3 wall-mounted speakers and a woofer at floor level, and the difference with the old organ is dramatic! Like stepping from a Morris Minor to a Bentley. An extensive library of sounds, and an enormous range of combinations that can be set at the touch of a button. Expertly set up and balanced by Richard Goodall the results are stunning and I am looking forward to showing it off to less fortunate organists!”
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.
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