If you were tasked with running a ten-month world’s fair, with thousands of attendees, who were expecting to be musically entertained, who would you ask to coordinate such an endeavor? Charles C. Moore, president of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, appointed his good friend and amateur musician, Jacob B. Levinson, to implement the many musical offerings. However, Levinson quickly … [Read more...]

The inventory of Exposition organ, Austin Organs, Inc. Opus 500 was conducted between September 19 and 23, 2016. Each windchest was opened and carefully inspected. Selected chest actions were removed from each chest and sent to Austin shops for examination to assure that the leather is still viable. Two Pedal main chests, Swell front and rear chests, Great right and left chests, Choir front and … [Read more...]

During my high school years the Civic Auditorium was often used for graduations and religious events. A friend of mine and I often visited church organ lofts to write down specifications and play these instruments if we were able. On one particular occasion I had the opportunity to be at Civic during a rehearsal when the original console had been rolled out and prepared for use. I started writing … [Read more...]

Most organs of 114 ranks, such as the Exposition Organ, can easily function with one blower. Indeed, the Exposition Organ was designed to run with one blower. Why two blowers? In its original installation, the organ was housed in Festival Hall where thousands of visitors attended recitals at all hours of the day and evening. Because of the many hours that the organ would be in use, a single blower … [Read more...]

After the 1989 earthquake which damaged the main instrument in the Civic Auditorium, the organ was removed to Hartford, Conn. to the Austin Organ factory for refurbishment while the Civic Auditorium underwent retrofitting. The Echo organ was not damaged in the quake but its nine ranks of pipes were removed to Hartford for cleaning and repair. The chest was left in place. However, because the major … [Read more...]

The City of San Francisco desires to use the space for other storage purposes and would like to see The Exposition Organ moved out as soon as possible. This aspiration could compromise the instrument’s protection and security over time. The instrument has been in storage for over eighteen years. It is time for its resurrection as a tourist attraction and for public use and enjoyment. … [Read more...]