News and Events
Esteyfest 2024 - The Next ROS Gathering!
We are now less than a year away from EsteyFest ’24 in Brattleboro, Vermont––the biennial gathering of the Reed Organ Society, jointly sponsored with the Estey Organ Museum and the Brattleboro Historical Society.
The EsteyFest ’24 Committee is putting together a program that will appeal to the wide variety of free-reed-instrument enthusiasts. We hope also to appeal to members of the general public who are not members of any of the sponsoring organizations, and all interested in the music, history, and restorations of these instruments, young and old[er].
Of special interest to reed organ aficionados is the opportunity to spend time inside one of the Estey factory buildings—one of the few reed organ factories still standing. In the Estey Organ Museum, the emphasis is on reed organs that can be played by anyone, and EsteyFest ’24 as a whole will expand this theme.
Some of the scheduled concerts will feature contemporary uses of reed organs in ensembles, as well as some more modern music. Concert venues in Brattleboro include two large Estey pipe organs, including Opus 300.
Lectures/demonstrations, and workshops will include playing and restoration, as well as talks on:
- 19th century legal struggles among reed organ makers;
- Sigfrid Karg-Elert––foremost German composer for the reed organ in the early 20th century;
- the accordion as a free-reed instrument;
- and more, to be finalized.
The 2019 Gathering of the Reed Organ Society was held at the Conklin Reed Organ Museum, in Hanover, Michigan, on October 18-20. The theme was based on restoring and playing reed organs. A great time was had by all that attended, thank you to the wonderful people at HHAHS for hosting!
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