February 1999

Orgues Létourneau, St. Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada, has built a new organ for First
Baptist Church, Kalamazoo, Michigan. The firm's Opus 55 comprises 54 stops, 67
ranks, and 3,638 pipes over three manuals and pedal. The organ features mechanical key action (except the Trompette en chamade and offset chests, which use electric action), and electric stop and combination action. Manual naturals are of ebony, sharps of maple; pedal naturals of maple, sharps of rosewood;
manual/pedal compass 61/32.

February Florida Festival

Edward Hansen, 69,
died on December 13 from complications of multiple myeloma. Hansen received his
undergraduate and doctoral degrees from the University of Washington. He was
organist at First United Methodist Church in Seattle for five years before his
appointment as Organist and Choirmaster of Plymouth Congregational Church in
1957. He retired from Plymouth in 1991. During his tenure he was involved with
the planning and development of the new church structure and the design and
installation of two new Schlicker organs.

The 38th Historic Organ Tour, sponsored by the University of
Michigan and led by Marilyn Mason, took place August 3-20, 1998, entitled
"In the Steps of Bach."

Day One - Sunday, June 21

The convention day began at 1 p.m., the morning being filled
with arrivals and registrations. First venue: The Paramount Theater, with its
remarkable 20-rank WurliTzer, which speaks clearly and forcefully into the room
from big, open chambers on either side. The Pedal is incredibly strong and
quick. There is a tremendous variety of solo sounds, all of which we heard.