Congratulations to all who made Wanamaker Organ Day such a stellar success! See a quick film on the case restoration HERE! A short film on gilding is HERE!
Please note that while we post timely notices here and on our Facebook Page, the real goings on of the Friends and in-depth coverage of the restoration is found exclusively in our members-only newsletter. We seek to build an involved and committed membership which gives us the crucial funding necessary to continue our work.
We have many vital restoration projects in the pipeline, including the entire Solo division, together with a centennial celebration of the first Stokowski/Philadelphia Orchestra Wanamaker Organ concert Saturday September 28. Stilian Kirov conducts Symphony in C with Peter Richard Conte as soloist! Full details are in our newsletter!
Stokowski Centennial Tickets are on sale now at SymphonyinC.org and will be mailed. Staffers at Symphony in C will be delighted to help you pick the ideal seats. Call them weekdays at (856) 240-1503.
Thank you for your generous support of our important cause!
Stories in the Spring Issue:
[] Major contract signed and work begins on Organ Case restoration
[] How paint chip studies are uncovering the original colors of our organ case
[] What 3 1/2 pounds of gold leaf will bring to our organ display pipes
[] How a major building strike threatened to cost John Wanamaker his shirt
[] What a swell engine has in common with a team of horses
[] How architect Daniel H. Burnham used a world’s fair to leap to the top
[] Why a furniture company got the contract for our organ case
[] Why neoclassic architecture turned buildings into money-making machines
[] How the story of determining historic colors began at Williamsburg
[] Why John Wanamaker got a stern talking to by his lawyer
[] What the Organ Case looks like with all the display pipes removed
[] Why the Organ is the star of movies on the giant new lobby video screen
[] What happens when the Great Primary stops working
[] How quick thinking brough six reeds from the Solo safely home
[] What brought the Cornell Glee Club to the Grand Court
[] How you can help with some very special projects!
Join (at our webstore) or renew now (at the top of the page) to get all the exciting details as this major restoration project unfolds!
Please watch this space for more concert-date announcements, which will be posted as soon as we receive them. Because our special concerts are dependent on Macy’s sales schedule, precise dates are given to us generally about 10 weeks before certain concerts. All members receive timely announcements of our events and details in our quarterly newsletters!
Michael Lawrence’s article on restoring Fleming pneumatics is available at this blog, which has fascinating observations on music and music making. Details are HERE!
Curt Mangel was honored for his saving of the chandeliers of Chicago’s Uptown Theater, now undergoing a major restoration. Watch HERE!
Hear the Cornell Glee Club at Macy’s Grand Court HERE!
Nick Meyers showed off the Cornet of our beautifully restored Original String Division. Highlights are HERE!
Enjoy a YouTube sneak preview of the new Wanamaker Office Building video wall, paying tribute to the Wanamaker Organ. Click HERE!
HEAR MENDELSSOHN’S WEDDING MARCH from a Grand Court Wedding Sept. 13. Watch HERE!
Wanamaker Organ Day videos are available HERE and HERE and HERE, thanks to Friends member Bill Theobald!
