The Electronic Organ Constructors 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. Whilst 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 Page” as detailed on page 5 of the Members Handbook 2010. This page usually includes various “For Sale and Wanted” adverts.
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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.
Did you know?
In the 19th century, churches in Paris and other cities rushed to install one of the new Cavaille Coll organs. The redundant organs found a home in small towns which could not otherwise have afforded a splendid instrument. Recently passing through Verneuil-sur-Avre, we found the Church of the Madeleine had a fine 18th century organ "from a church in Caen", probably displaced from the Abbey des Hommes by the Cavaille Coll installed there. Strange to see an instrument with such an impressive specification housed in such a modest church.
