Voices of Ascension

The final container arrived early this morning, and the church is filled with steel frames, thousands of wooden and metal pipes, two consoles, and all of the mechanical and electrical equipment required to assemble this extraordinary organ.  We anticipate eight weeks of assembly and installation followed by voicing of each and every pipe.  The project will be finished in time for Easter services at Church of the Ascension as well as the Voices of Ascension Inaugural Organ Concert Festival in May and June 2011.

The truck arrived around 10:45am. After inspecting the container and breaking the seal, the maritime insurance representatives gave the go-ahead to begin unloading. Francois and David gave instructions to the workmen, and the odyssey began!

A large group assembled in front of the Church of the Ascension at 6:00 this morning to await the arrival of the first container holding crates of organ pipes. First to arrive were members of the contruction team who opened the church, followed by Artistic Director Dennis Keene, architect Leo Blackman and photographer Tom Ligamari. They were joined by Francois and David from the Pascal Quoirin workshop, and a work crew of eight men to unload the crates under the direction of Francois and David. Also in attendance was long-time friend of Voices of Ascension and maritime attorney Charles Schmidt, as well as representatives of the shipping line including an insurance specialist to witness the breaking of the seal on the container. Each person was prepared to play his role in this remarkable event, when we received word that there was a delay with the trucking company. We now expect delivery later this morning.