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ELECTRONIC ORGAN
CONSTRUCTORS' SOCIETY
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The Electronic Organ Constructor's Society is a society for those interested in building and/or customizing electronic organs and similar electronic musical instruments. The Society was founded in 1960 by the late Arthur le Boutillier in order to bring together enthusiasts who were building electronic organs from kits or to designs published in books and magazines. Although based in the United Kingdom it now has members in many other countries. While the EOCS is nominally an amateur society some of the U.K. members have gone on to earn their living by working at their former hobby. In the USA, Australia and New Zealand a much greater proportion of the members seem to have followed this path, and many have remained members. NOTE Members may access the "Members For Sale and Wanted" page of this site as indicated on page 36 of the Electronic Organ Magazine, Number 204 |
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The range of interests within the society is wide. Some
members have a greater interest in building than playing
their instruments. Others prefer to play but build in
order to have something special, while some even want
to build an instrument on which to learn to play. Over
the years since the EOCS was founded, members have
designed and built many different types of instrument,
including synthesisers, electronic pianos and even a
few curiosities such as add-on electronic voices for
a piano-accordion. However, with the wide availability
of cheap electronic keyboards, the current membership
concentrates mainly on instruments with classical and
cinema (theatre) organ voices. Some members are also
involved with pipe organs, including one who has built
digital multiplex and capture combination systems for
pipe organs. The members also cover a wide range of
occupations. All who are interested in electronic organ
building as a hobby are welcome as members.
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EOCS member uses organ for Congo medical charity Member David Pinnegar lives in a large house in Sussex. So large that he has room large enough to hold organ concerts on his four manual Pipe / electronic organ Since 1982 he and his family have been restoring a historic house with music in its heritage, Behind David's passion to build up a concert instrument of admittedly ridiculous proportions has been a mission to restore appreciation of the fabulously wide range of the instrument, increasingly lost to drums and guitars and an antagonism of many potential music lovers to the places where organs are commonly found. The organ that has resulted at Hammerwood Park is intimidating to play: "One of the most versatile I've played in recent times" said an visiting recitalist. You can see and hear it at: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg47wkq4YXU for an introduction. You will no doubt have heard of the problems in Congo at the moment. In December, Dr David Pitches who is both an organist and a medical doctor who works in the Congo is performing on the Hammerwood instrument to raise funds for further medical facilities in the Congo through the charity for which he works: http://www.medair.org/en/where-we-work/dr-congo/country-background/ http://www.medair.org/en/where-we-work/dr-congo/programme-description/ http://www.medair.org/en/where-we-work/dr-congo/activities-by-sectors/ Any support for such concerts and ongoing support for this cause would be really appreciated. EOCS members would be very welcome to support the charity by going to the concert. David has given an open invitation - just telephone first (01342 850594). |
Copyright © 2006 The Electronic Organ Constructors Society. All rights reserved. This site last updated 28th July 2008 |
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information given on this website, no responsibility can be accepted by the Society, its officers or the contributors to the website for any consequences arising from the use of information on these pages. |
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