Being a newspaper photographer has its perks. The main one being you get to see a lot of stuff that most people don't get to see. On Sunday I was treated to not only a special place, but a special sound. Scott Horton, the music director and organist at First Congregation Church of Fresno permitted me enter the upper access ways to view the pipes of the church's casavant pipe organ in the main sanctuary. It was a beautiful instrument with an even more beautiful sound. Horton demonstrated by playing J.S. Bach's Toccato - you know, the Phantom of the Opera music, which was outstanding. The floors actually rumbled. I see why now the organ is sought out by many performing arts groups. The 1967 organ is, however, in need of some restoration work and the church is reaching out for financial help. To read more about it the church has a special website for the project. There's some audio of the organ on the site too.
More pictures after the jump.
Scott Horton playing the pipes.
The pipes in the pedal division room stand to the ceiling, giving a deep base sound that literally rumbles the floor.
Hundreds of pipes ranging from just a few inches to several feet fill the swell box in the upper access area of the church's pipe organ.
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