Stephen Tharp plays Vierne for Our Lady of Refuge Organ Fund video

Stephen Tharp the famed American Concert Organist has just recorded a benefit CD to help raise $200000 for the complete restoration of the pipe organ at the Parish of Our Lady of Refuge in Brooklyn, NY. This Video was filmed March 10, 2007 at the console of the church's 25 rank Kilgen, Opus 5163. This instrument was built to the design of Charles M. Courboin. Construction was started on the organ in September of 1933 and completed on November 30, 1933 "except console-awaiting shipping instructions". It was shipped to the church in January of 1934 and the church was dedicated in June of 1934. On Monday March 12, 2007 the Organ Clearing House removed the organ from its chambers to protect its 1800 pipes and mechanism from harm while major structural repairs are carried out in the organ chambers and to the tower of the church. During the time the organ is out of the chambers (stored in large wooden crates on the church property) the parish must raise funds to re-leather the entire organ and clean all of the pipes in the organ (for stability of tone and tuning). This work will be carried out by the Ohio firm of AR Schopp's Sons, Inc in conjunction with James Konzelman and the Organ Clearing House. The parish is working hard to raise funds to accomplish this, but the parish is seeking outside funds to augment its fund raising activities. Once fully restored this organ will last many generations. Can you help us restore and save a pipe organ? If you are interested in helping ...