The Arrival of the Wacek Memorial Organ

"This is a glorious day for the Josephinum," noted Dr. James Yeager, Professor of Sacred Music and Choirmaster, in an announcement to the community that the truck transporting the new pipe organ from Connecticut had arrived hours ahead of schedule on April 3. "Faculty, staff, and students are welcome to observe, help, carry, lug and otherwise unload 14.5 tons of organ." Starting about 1 p.m., a few men trickled down to help, and then gradually the trickle turned into "a flood of humanity".

In fact, the number of volunteers was so great that in just 5 hours:

-2212 of the 2332 pipes were unloaded
-10 very large windchests (most of which weigh about 600 lbs each) were forklifted, trucked and rolled into the elevator and up to the organ loft.
- 7 huge white oak moldings that are the capitals of the organcase were manhandled up twisting staircases and into the chapel.
-20-30 heavy panels of case sides and fronts were moved
-most of the case frames were moved (many required 4 men to lift and carry)
-countless action parts went up the stairs, along with the wind turbine and its wood box
-the organ pedal keyboard and the 3 keyboards plus action went in
-several very heavy electronic elements and power supplies went up

The many pieces and parts of the organ were placed on the floor of the main chapel nave. Mr. Gene Bedient of the Bedient Pipe Organ Co. of Lincoln, NE, and his colleague Mr. Fred Zander began to build the organ and will remain on campus to complete the 2-week job.

In the meantime, Dr. Yeager invited everyone to "Wait with me in huge anticipation for the glorious sight and sounds that await us! Soli Deo Gloria!"