What is this project about?
Have you ever seen one of these?
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Long story short, I'm building one in my bedroom.
I've already starting gathering/purchasing the parts I need to build the organ, so this project is already well under way. I just need your help to bring it to completion! You can find my updates on my current progress here:
zauberflote620.wordpress.com
Build my own Pipe Organ? Why?
Because it's cool. How many people would even think of building their own pipe organ inside their bedroom?
Oh, and yes, I need to practice. Not trying to be the next Cameron Carpenter, (very easily the ultimate crazy eccentric organist, look him up, he's QUITE the character!!), but just to keep working at my art, and to keep striving to be better than I was yesterday.
At the age of 14, I fell in love with the Pipe Organ at my first POE (Pipe Organ Encounter from American Guild of Organists). I was already studying the piano quite studiously at LaGuardia High School, but the sheer POWER and MAJESTY of the pipe organ just blew me away! About a decade later, I earned my BMus in Pipe Organ Performance from Hunter College (CUNY) and am currently working on my AAGO.
I've come to realize after getting my degree that in order to get better at my art, I'll need to get my own practice organ instead of relying on the generosity of churches in NYC who let me practice on theirs. Why not just buy one, you ask? To put it briefly, I can get a MUCH better sounding organ that I can expand and upgrade over the years for much less money if I build it myself from parts and wire it up to MIDI than if I were to buy a factory made one, regardless of whether it's new or in good-used condition.
With a bit of research (a lot actually), talking to LOTS of people, and the help of friends (like you), I will be able to create a "masterpiece" that is superb both in looks and functionality of the organ I am trying to build. (See this Pinterest for an idea of the variety of Hauptwerks one can build.)
I'm really REALLY passionate about this project, and it's my pleasure to share my dream with you. Organ music is REALLY beautiful and spans more than just a few centuries. It's not just funeral dirges and wedding music. It ranges from knock-your-socks off gloriously majestic to downright cutesy. Not to mention that organs have existed long before the piano was even dreamed of. I have spent WEEKS of sleepless nights thinking about the project, poring over the details, perusing over resources and materials that would help me understand how I can finally install an organ of my own in my room.
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This is what the Hauptwerk currently looks like. As you can see, there's a lot of work that still needs to be done. I'm using a Yamaha weighted 88-keys MIDI keyboard as a first manual for now until I can get proper manuals, and I have another Yamaha 61-keys MIDI keyboard sitting under my bed waiting to be set up to be used as second manual. My next step is to wire up the pedalboard using the MIDI encoder that I had purchased for this project.
By helping me with this project, you help an organist with keeping the art of organ playing alive for future generations.
For more info & current updates on this project, please visit:
zauberflote620.wordpress.com: started solely for the purpose of updating everyone on current progress with this project as well as some interesting tidbits of info for those more interested in the details of how this project is to be completed. I try to keep it light and interesting, with LOTS of pictures! :)
Pinterest: a collection of boards where I've pinned down some sites and ideas that I plan on using to help me with building this Hauptwerk organ.
And lastly, my website, which will tell you a bit more about who I am and what I do.
Project Budget
A breakdown of what's needed and where it's going:
Console+Cabinetry: $271.65
Pedals+Bench: $350
Stop Action Configuration
Touch-screen monitors x2 (for organ jambs): ranges from $200-500 each (
newegg.com)
Organ Jambs (parts from an analog or digital organ): ebay+craigslist, ranges from $100-250
MIDI encoder: (
DTS: $174.95)
(CMK Foreign Transaction fee 3.5% of total, Shipping, MIDI Organ Keyboards, Key Cheeks with Music Rest, Expression pedals, toestuds)
Paramount 310- $0 :)
Indiegogo fees: 9% if goal is not reached (9% of $10,999=$989.91);
4% if goal is reached (4% of $11,000=$440)
PayPal fees: 2.5-2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
TOTAL: $9,518.14 - $10,361.49
At the advice of a good friend I've taken off MasterWorks 3/31 Wurlitzer: $449 from the list. Indiegogo doesn't let me change the total goal however, and I may need to upgrade my current audio interface.
Also, IRS will no doubt be taking a hefty amount from this campaign since from my research, they treat things like this as a sale, and I would have to report this as income.....
Perks
From twitter mentions to being listed on the
Hauptwerk Organ Donor List to a personalized plague with an organ pipe and drawknob, there are perks for everyone! I went to
C. B. Fisk Organ Factory in MA during one of the POE (Organ Camps) and got a bunch of cool parts from there that I'll be glad to share with you! Plus, you get immortalized the
Hauptwerk Organ Donor List for any amount of contribution. :)
For perks that have an option for customization, please mention your preferences when making your contribution. If you've forgotten, you can always send me a DM on twitter, or just make another donation for $1 and put in your preferences.
If you live outside of US, please take into consideration the shipping cost from Brooklyn, NY to wherever you are when making your contribution. THANKS!!!
What If....
Every contribution made to this campaign will go directly into getting parts needed to bring the organ I'm building to the next level of awesomeness regardless of whether the goal set in this campaign is reached. In the event that I do NOT reach the goal, the pipe organ I'm building will still be functional, just probably not as awesome as I've envisioned but I can always keep raising money to keep upgrading it! So really, anything and everything helps. The budget and parts listed above is ordered by their importance into completing the Hauptwerk.
The Impact You Will Make
As the joke goes, "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?", "Practice, Practice, Practice". Every musician knows that perfection doesn't come overnight.
-You help me become the next Cameron Carpenter
-^just kidding^^
-But seriously, you'll be supporting and helping me get better every day! And if I ever meet Mr. Carpenter, I'll mention your name. =P
Risks & Challenges
My biggest challenge into completing this project at the moment is the actual technicality of MIDI wiring. I have never done anything like this before. I know how to plug a MIDI keyboard into the computer and run a program to run sound samples, but this project requires that I convert a traditional pedalboard (and manuals as well unless I get them from Classic MIDI Organ Works), to make them capable of sending MIDI signals. There has been a few people that have been really helpful with directing me to resources that would help me better understand the logistics, and HUGE support from others who have successfully attempted this project and have functioning Hauptwerk organs at their homes. One way or another, I will make this work!
Other Ways You Can Help
Even if you can't make a contribution, you can still help! Please help spread the word and share this campaign with friends and family; over coffee, lunch, dinner, social media, post a link to this campaign on facebook/twitter, post a pic on instagram; anything you can think of to help spread the word! Indiegogo's provided some sharing tools to help do just that. Thanks so much for your help!!
Also, if you're a fellow pipe organist who has attempted a similar undertaking, I would love to hear from you about how you managed it. If you know someone who may have access to Pipe Organ parts, please direct them to this site. Much appreciated!!
