By Mike Carrels
Phoenix Online Editor
—
About 100 people listened as the Muskogee Civic Center pipe organ sprang back to life Thursday night at a rededication ceremony.
Classic organ music and seasonal Christmas carols kissed the ears of those who attended.
The five-rank pipe organ has been part of the Civic Center since it was built in the 1960s. However, the organ’s console was ruined in 2003 when a roof hatch was left open and rain fell on it. The organ’s 389 pipes, located in rooms on both sides of the organ, were not damaged.
It took an 86-year-old theater organ console to give it new life.
Organ renovations proved to be too expensive, Stratton said, adding that refurbishing would have cost about $20,000.
A donation from a retired music teacher and work from an organ builder helped give the old organ a new chance earlier this year.
