The Majesty of Music Initiative

An Organ Initiative Update

GOOD NEWS! The technical installation of our new organ, Glatter-Götz Opus #39, is complete! The Sanctuary façade is spectacular and the new console is beautiful. What is not visible is the incredible work in the organ chambers (there will be upcoming opportunities for touring the chambers in the months ahead). It is easy to see that this organ, designed specifically for our Sanctuary, has been built by highly trained craftsmen who take tremendous pride in their workmanship and the finished instrument. Marietta First United Methodist Church has been blessed with a remarkable organ that will serve as a foundation for our congregational singing, inspiring souls to the wonders of God. Additionally, it will entertain the community through recitals and musical presentations, drawing our friends and neighbors into our beautiful place of worship. This organ is truly a legacy gift that will serve us now but will glorify God for many generations in the future.

But we must have patience. Before we can celebrate this wonderful instrument, it must be voiced or tuned. Each of the 3,790 pipes has to be tuned separately. Our organ specialists, Stefan and Felix, arrived March 27th to begin the voicing process. Unfortunately, this process will require some time. Our goal is to have the organ functional in time for Easter 2023. Anticipation will rise as the year progresses, and it will truly be exciting to be in the Sanctuary when our organist, Brian Parks, performs that first musical presentation.

If you are part of those who have joined us by contributing to the Organ Initiative, we thank you for your support and generosity. If you have not yet joined us, it is not too late. Please consider making a gift today. We have received 85% of our $1.9 million goal with another 8% in outstanding pledges so we are well on our way to reach our goal. Your gift will make a difference in getting to the finish line. Join us in this legacy. This gift will serve this church and this community for decades.

The Organ Initiative Committee

Marietta First United Methodist Church is thrilled to welcome to Marietta the craftsmen and technicians from Glatter-Götz Orgelbau as they begin to install their Opus 39 pipe organ. Thanks to the leadership of Trustees Chair Steve Fisher and countless volunteers, the woodwork, components, and over 3,000 pipes have been safely stored in the church since July. And on the very day that travel restrictions were lifted from Europe, the employees of Glatter-Götz were on a flight to Atlanta! 

Whether organ enthusiasts or not, our congregation has marveled at the "next-level" craftsmanship of the pipes and casework, as well as the ingenuity evident in its design and layout. Marietta FUMC will soon be the happy home to one of the great liturgical instruments in the United States: an instrument truly able to sonify our sung praises to God; an instrument that reflects the very best we have to give to our creator. 

We are already enjoying the beauty of the facade pipes and case. There is still much to do internally and through the artful process of voicing the pipes. That is the process of shaping the way that the pipes speak, so that the many separate divisions sound cohesive and synthesize well with each other, very much like a symphony orchestra. This is a process that cannot and should not be rushed, as the voice of the instrument lasts throughout its lifetime. If we have learned nothing else during these last twenty months, we have learned patience and gratitude for all that we have. So we wait with that special joy of anticipation, knowing that the finish line is in sight!

in service,

-Brian Parks, organist of the church