Four organists will showcase their personal style from classical to rock music at this exciting Organ Dedication Concert to be held on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Griffin. Come and hear the musical stylings of Wayne Cook, Cathy Willis Garmon, Tim Evans, and Ellee Hilley on our new organ! A reception will follow the concert.
Watch the Organ Concert Live
If you are unable to attend the concert in person, we will certainly miss your presence. You may, however, watch the concert live from our website.
How did we get here? The journey to our organ’s restoration…
Pedals and Pipes: A Great and Swell Renovation
Fantasia on Viva La Vida from FBC Griffin on Vimeo.
Thanks to generous funding from the Finance Committee, Trustees, and individuals, the funding for our organ renovation has been secured!
You are always welcome to donate to the ongoing maintenance of our organ. Use the button below if you would like to give.
Organ Trivia for the Fundraising Journey
Fun Terminology: Choir
When you think of the word choir, you automatically think of people, right? People make up a choir, they sit in the choir loft, they sing choir music. At First Baptist, we have two choirs – one made up of people, the other made up of pipes. The organ has a division of pipes called the choir as well. The bottom keyboard on the organ is called the choir division. The choir division contains pipes that make up a broadened sound on the organ, including solo stops and accompaniment stops. It’s useful for adding a festive trumpet to a hymn or processional as well as general congregational accompaniment. When the organists hands are on the lowest keyboard, you’ll know he or she is playing on the choir division of the organ!
Fun Terminology: Antiphonal
What in the world is an Antiphonal? In a nutshell, it consists of pipes that make sounds from the back of the Sanctuary. An antiphonal adds a section of the organ to another space in the sanctuary, which can create a “call and response” to one another, creating a rich and immersive worship or concert experience.
Next Month’s Update: Historic Antiphonal Tour
Next month’s update will be very interesting! We will take you on a tour of our Historic Antiphonal, located above the soundbooth in the Sanctuary. We’ll even play a pipe for you! The historic antiphonal was part of the main church organ from 1926-1966. We are so excited about re-imagining our antiphonal for the future!
Fun Terminology: Wind Chest and Motherboards:
A Renovation for future generations
The First Baptist pipe organ has a rich history, dating back to the 1800’s with a foot-pumped organ. From Pilcher to Moller to Schantz, First Baptist has held to exceptional quality organs. The vision for the current organ’s renovation is to replace the console, whose combination action has long ceased to be reliable, rebuild the historic antiphonal, and expand the capabilities of the current organ. The master plan is to utilize all existing pipes – as they all work very well, replace what can’t be fixed – and in doing so – expand the capabilities of the console. This renovation will support music well into our future at First Baptist!
Fun Terminology: Great and Swell
Great: The middle keyboard on the organ. It plays lots of hymn accompaniments, as it has a full sound built in to it.
Swell: The top keyboard on the organ. It plays a lot of solo instruments, like a bassoon or a standard trumpet. It also has beautiful chamber strings and flutes, which are great for softer pieces and choir accompaniments.
Bach’s Toccata in D Minor, BWV 565
Played by Ellee Hilley
The Proposal
You may also view a pdf version of the Organ Proposal.
While we have been good stewards of our funds, the proposed solution for our organ will still require us to raise money. If you would like to donate to the Organ Fund, you may do so using the link below, or by scanning the QR code to the right with your tablet or phone. Thank you for considering this special project as you plan your giving.
