The goal of the first organ fundraising campaign was reached. The second fundraising period started on November 15, 2021 and ends on February 14, 2022. In October, however, we received a surprising message from the organ workshop: the right kind of instrument would already be ready! We took the risk and placed the order. Help us and donate money for the organ!
The first round of the organ fundraising in the spring and summer reached its target of 10,000 euros. The second round of the fundraising is now running. At the end of October, the organ manufacturer - who had been contacted before to inquire about prices and options - contacted us and announced that a suitable organ for FiBO, even in a favorable color, would be ready! (We don't know if a deal was canceled, etc.; usually an organ is only produced by order, and the time between an order and a finished instrument is about a year.)
Even though only part of the price of the organ is raised, we took the risk and committed to buy the instrument – the opportunity was too good to miss. The organ will arrive as early as November! We were able to negotiate the price to be paid in several installments and at longer payment intervals; the first installment of 10,000 euros will be paid already at the end of this year, the next in the spring of 2022. FiBO will pay the sum surpassing 20,000 euros from its own pocket.
So now another 10,000 euros should be raised! If supporting the organ acquisition even feels a little but like your thing, please contribute! We are grateful for donations of all sizes.
What?
- The organ (otherwise known as the continuo organ or organ positif) is an integral part of all sacred music from the Baroque era, such as cantatas, passions and oratorios. The organ is an essential structural element in Baroque music; it is the basis of harmony and sound.
- FiBO does not have its own organ; organs have always been borrowed or rented from others.
- The price of the planned organ made by Dutch organbuilder Klop is close to 30,000 €. It will have three complete stops (8’ Gedackt, 4’ Flute, 2’ Principal and 2 ⅔’ Quinta (only in the upper part of the keyboard)), and a total of 180 pipes of different sizes (each complete stop has 51 pipes, and the Quinta stop has 27).
Why?
- The procurement of an organ has been delayed in favour of other more urgent and money-consuming acquisitions - such as a harpsichord. The orchestra has also wanted to use funds for making art for the pleasure of the audience and to employ musicians. The harpsichord that FiBO acquired a few years ago has shown how important it is for the orchestra to be able to use its own instrument.
- Organs borrowed or rented by FiBO are often in poor condition and/or difficult to tune. A familiar instrument in good condition would contribute to the development of the orchestra.
- During the busier periods, it can be challenging to find an organ to use.
- At times, the real organ must be replaced with an electric organ, which is not at all ideal when the rest of the orchestra uses period instruments.
- Lack of an organ can also lead to artistic and programmatic compromises.
- FiBO invests heavily in creating projects that employ as many musicians as possible, and the money spent on salaries cannot be used to purchase such an expensive - albeit very essential - instrument.
- A new organ will be lighter than older models, easier to tune (even after transportation) and adapts faster to climactic fluctuations. They can also be transported on their side if necessary, allowing them to even be transported in a large car.
- The organ can also be borrowed or rented by other musicians and ensembles, allowing the instrument to benefit the early music scene on a larger scale.
How?
- FiBO has a small-scale fundraising permit RA/2021/1526, which allows the orchestra to raise up to 10,000 euros in all of Finland (except for Åland). The permit is valid until 14 February 2022.
- Fundraising for the organ is being organised in several rounds. If the required funds are raised by autumn 2022, FiBO would receive the organ approximately one year later.
- If you want to support FiBO’s organ acquisition, you can symbolically choose a pipe of suitable size (in reality, no two pipes are the same size) and pay the corresponding amount to the following account: FI77 1745 3000 2076 07 (Suomalaisen barokkiorkesterin kannatusyhdistys).
- If you would like your name to be published on the list of patrons, write your name and email address in the payment message field.
Prices:
- Large 750 €
- Medium-large 500 €
- Medium 300 €
- Medium-small 150 €
- Small 50 €
More information:
aino.jalkanen(@)fibo.fi