AGO pre-convention concert

Saturday: First Methodist Church of Oakpark

Recently restored 4/44 1925 E.M. Skinner pipe organ with organ chamber in background

E. M Skinner console before Ken Cowan concert. Console is in view during completion of restoration. When finished organ will be located out of sight in chancel choir loft

Chancel view of First Methodist CHurch of Oakpark

Sunday: Orchestra Hall of the Symphony Center, home of the CHicago Symphony Orchestra. Some earlier AGO arrivals await the doors opening

Outside Symphony Center, fellow Carthage College organ student Shaun Knudson (on left) waiting for doors to open

Although the ushers said no Photos, I sneaked a few anyway. Here is the orchestra stage with the organ chambers in the background. Four organists played for this gala opening program; Philippe Belanger, David Shrader, Maxine Thevenot and Thierry Escaich. Julian Wacher conducted the Metropolis Symphony

Another view of stage with the Casavant console in view. This is the third pipe organ in the halls history, the first a 1903 Lyon Healy, a Moller which replaced it and now the III/60 Casavant which utilizes some of the Moller pipework from the previous instrument

On Monday I found time to visit my former employer WLS TV (CH7 Chicago) which has recently opened a showcase studio viewed from State Street. This is the view the TV anchors have looking out into State Street with the Chicago Theatre across the street

I could not resist trying out the new anchor chair on the set. When I worked there I seldom had the opportunity to visit the news studio....After visiting friends at ABC I went to a workshop on bell ringing which was my only AGO activity that day. The trip to Valpo was just too early for me to make. The busses were scheduled for 7a and since I commuted to the convention from 50 miles north of the city I just could not do it after getting home late from Orchestra Hall on Sunday night.

Tuesday: Worship service at St. James Cathedral (Episcopal)

Entering St. James Cathedral

AGO worshippers at St. James Cathedral

St. James Cathedral altar area

Organ at St. James Cathedral

Organ at St. James Cathedral

Skinner console at St. James Cathedral. The organ was rebuilt in 1997 by the Bradford Organ Company and incorporates parts from previous instruments including the 40 rank Austin and the Aeolian Skinner formerly located in the Civic Opera House (Lyric Opera) Present organ is IV/94

Tuesday: Holy Name Cathedral (Roman Catholic)

Holy Name Cathedral

IV/117 Flentrop Organ located in the gallery at Holy Name Cathedral

Janette Fishell greets AGO members following her concert at Holy Name

Flentrop console in gallery at Holy Name.
This was my last event on Tuesday

St.Lukes Episcopal Church Evanston, Il

St. Lukes Episcopal Church Evanston

Organ Case at St.Lukes

Console at St. Lukes after program by Thomas Murray on the restored Skinner organ

St. Ita Roman Catholic Church Chicago

HowellWicks

Music Institure of Chicago located in the former 1st Christian Science Church of Evanston, Il.