Florida TechSolar-PoweredBand Organ

Details

by Frank R. Leslie, Adjunct Professor, DMES

Florida Tech6/4/2008a

The Mighty Stinson 2000M-2 MIDI Concert Band Organ Example

Background/History

• While a calliope is identified with circuses, Indiana University has one that is used at sports events and parades

• Florida Tech students might construct a band organ as a Capstone Project to show the integration of science, engineering, and fine arts

080521Circus calliope, lithograph by Gibson & Co., 1872.

Introduction

• Florida Tech has been introducing courses that express our motto of “High Tech with a Human Touch”

• The Music Department can bridge the engineering disciplines with some development of an automated band organ to play at various events– An keyboardist can play it manually– A computer can play it automatically– An auxiliary power source of solar modules can provide

pressure for actuation

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Band Organ vs. Calliope

• Band organs date from – Basically organ pipes, but

often expanded to include piano, bells, drums, violins, horns, chimes, etc., primarily in theater organs

• Calliopes are high-pressure steam-powered; patented 1855 by Joshua Stoddard in New York and demonstrated on a train– Early steamboats had

calliopes to alert a town of their arrival

– Newer versions use compressed air and have less range (usually under 1 mile)

– These are one rank organs; one set of pipes

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Calliope on the Minnie-Ha-Ha, a stern-wheeler on Lake George, NY

Band Organ Example

• Mobile fairground organ and a horn organ

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http://www.freewebs.com/mechanicalorgangallery/gdsf2004.htm

Music Playing and Control

• Keyboards (some 37 or 44 notes) control solenoids that open a valve to sound a note, strike a drum, triangle, or chime, etc.

• Early units used pin drive, perforated cards derived from Jacquard fabric-weaving loom control, and later, paper piano rolls

• Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) is now used– Conversion from other formats exist and MIDI-to-

discrete translators can drive solenoid actuators with direct current to blow pipes or beat drums, etc.

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Music Composition

• The rate of solenoid valve operation might require slower tempos, but most music can be performed at normal tempi

• Music composition software can read MIDI inputs from a keyboard for modification and adaptation for driving the instrument

• When the final MIDI file is sent to the band organ, it plays as directed by the composition

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Psychological Planning• The instrument can impress the audience with

music not normally associated with circus compositions– Classical, rock, jazz, popular, bluegrass, etc.

• The visual design of the pipes for stereo (not symmetry) and exterior façade embellishments

• Two-sided vs. one-sided display (parade trailer or fixed full width for against a wall) design for show flexibility

• An emotional appeal comes from the appearance of the instrument as well as the unique sounds and moving parts

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Design and Construction Skills, Etc.

• Engineering Systems– Dr. ? and 2 students

• School of Business– Dr. ? and 1 students– Cost management and

schedule• Computer Engineering

– Dr. ? and 2 students– MIDI interfaces

• Electrical Engineering– Dr. ? and 2 students– Controls and power

• Façade Art– Dr. ?, (C. Funk?) and 2

students

• Mechanical Eng’rg– Dr. ? and 2 students– Case and mountings;

trailer; tuning• Musical Dep’t

– Dr. Younkin and 2 students– MIDI compositions/organist

• Physics Dep’t– Dr. ? and 2 students– Pipe/percussion design;

pneumatics• Psychology

– Dr. ? and 1 students– Visual/auditory impact

design

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System Architecture

• A keyboard permits a student to play manually• The MIDI interpreter/decoder converts .mid files

into discrete actuator signals at 12 volts d.c.• Pipes and percussion provide sonic variety• Power supply provides sufficient drive for all

instruments at once• The case supports all other components and

allows moving to a trailer or storage• Exterior façade decoration provides visual

interest and nostalgia

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6

45?

Band Organ System Diagram

MIDI Files

Block diagram

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Solar Modules

Two-SectionCase

MIDISoftware

Composer

1 or 2Keyboard(s)

MIDIDecoder

LinePower Supply

DisplayLighting

Percussion

2 Pipe Rank(s)(24/rank?)

Air Manifold&

12Vdc Valves

Low PressureBlower

12 V Deep-CycleBattery

NotebookPC Computer

ChargeController

120Vacindoors

12Vdc

120V Inverter

~13.8 V @ 2A

Piano RollPlayer/Reader

Budgetary Estimate for Initial Build

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Budget Bogey Number   $6,000 Bogey plus 30% Margin $7,800

    Totals Comments Notes

Case, Main   $298.00 Two-piece; ~76"H OA x 120"W total x 24" D 1

Cases, Wings   $130.00 Two-piece; ~48"H x 30"W x 18" D 1

Façade   $324.00 Six pieces 1/2" plywood; textiles 1

MIDI Devices   $1,389.00 includes notebook computer 1

Electrical/Air Supply   $681.30 low pressure 1

Software   $100.00 MIDI S/W, etc. 1

Pipes   $216.00 two ranks: flutes 1, 2

Percussion   $141.00 bass and snare drums plus xylophone 1

Misc   $42.00 hardware 1

Labor   $900.00 Extent is TBD; volunteers? 1

Trailer, Parade/Moving   $725.00 utility trailer, basic low-side 3

Lighting   $24.00 LED highlighting 3

Solar Power   $670.00 optional for parades and other outdoors events 3

Trips   $190.00 purchase trips to Sanford FL at RMR 1, 8

Presentation/Publicity   $170.00 optional, (?) 3

Main Budget Total   $6,000.30 with 30% margin $7,800.39

Main Budget Margin   -$0.30 + is under budget -$0.39

With Donated Labor   $5,100.30 volunteer or student project work reduces cost  

Conclusion

• Creation of this instrument provides a lasting example of interdisciplinary teamwork across the multiple colleges for use at university events

• Periodically, the band organ would be used in local parades and for demonstration at schools to stimulate students in pursuing careers in arts, sciences, and engineering

• The system provides an example of how fine art, science, and engineering can be blended in a unique, entertaining display for public entertainment

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• Questions or Comments?

Calliope Poem by Vachel Lindsey

• The correct pronunciation of the word 'calliope' has always been disputed: some proponents claim it should be pronounced 'cal-eye-oh-pee', after the Greek muse, while others claim that 'cal-ly-ope' is correct. A nineteenth century magazine, Reedy’s Mirror, attempted to settle the dispute by publishing this rhyme:[1]

– Proud folk stare after me, – Call me Calliope; – Tooting joy, tooting hope, – I am the calliope.

After The Kalliope Yell, by Vachel Lindsey, 1913

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http://www.jmww.150m.com/Lindsay.html

“The Kallyope Yell “ by Vachel LindseyThe Kallyope Yell[Loudly and rapidly with a leader, College yell fashion]

I Proud men Eternally Go about, Slander me, Call me the "Calliope." Sizz . . . . . Fizz . . . . .

II I am the Gutter Dream, Tune-maker, born of steam, Tooting joy, tooting hope. I am the Kallyope, Car called the Kallyope. Willy willy willy wah hoo! See the flags: snow-white tent, See the bear and elephant, See the monkey jump the rope, Listen to the Kallyope, Kallyope, Kallyope! Soul of the rhinoceros And the hippopotamus (Listen to the lion roar!) Jaguar, cockatoot, Loons, owls, Hoot, Hoot. Listen to the lion roar, Listen to the lion roar, Listen to the lion R-O-A-R! Hear the leopard cry for gore, Willy willy willy wah hoo! Hail the bloody Indian band, Hail, all hail the popcorn stand, Hail to Barnum's picture there, People's idol everywhere, Whoop, whoop, whoop, whoop! Music of the mob am I, Circus day's tremendous cry: -- I am the Kallyope, Kallyope, Kallyope! Hoot toot, hoot toot, hoot toot, hoot toot, Willy willy willy wah hoo! Sizz, fixx . . . . .

III Born of mobs, born of steam, Listen to my golden dream, Listen to my golden dream, Listen to my G-O-L-D-E-N D-R-E-A-M! Whoop whoop whoop whoop >b?whoop! I will blow the proud folk low, Humanize the dour and slow, I will shake the proud folk down, (Listen to the lion roar!) Popcorn crowds shall rule the town -- Willy willy willy wah hoo! Steam shall work melodiously, Brotherhood increase. You'll see the world and all it holds For fifty cents apiece. Willy willy willy wah hoo! Every day a circus day. What? Well, almost every day. Nevermore the sweater's den, Nevermore the prison pen. Gone the war on land and sea That aforetime troubled men. Nations all in amity, Happy in their plumes arrayed In the long bright street parade. Bands a-playing every day. What? Well, almost every day. I am the Kallyope, Kallyope, Kallyope! Willy willy willy wah hoo! Hoot, toot, hoot, toot, Whoop whoop whoop whoop, Willy willy willy wah hoo! Sizz, fizz . . . . .

“The Kallyope Yell “ by Vachel Lindsey, 2IV

Every soul Resident In the earth's one circus tent! Every man a trapeze king Then a pleased spectator there. On the benches! In the ring! While the neighbours gawk and stare And the cheering rolls along. Almost every day a race When the merry starting gong Rings, each chariot on the line, Every driver fit and fine With the steel-spring Roman grace. Almost every day a dream, Almost every day a dream. Every girl, Maid or wife, Wild with music, Eyes a-gleam With that marvel called desire: Actress, princess, fit for life, Armed with honor like a knife, Jumping thro' the hoops of fire. (Listen to the lion roar!) Making all the children shout Clowns shall tumble all about, Painted high and full of song While the cheering rolls along, Tho' they scream, Tho' they rage, Every beast In his cage, Every beast In his den That aforetime troubled men.

V I am the Kallyope, Kallyope, Kallyope, Tooting hope, tooting hope, tooting hope, tooting hope; Shaking window-pane and door With a crashing cosmic tune, With the war-cry of the spheres, Rhythm of the roar of noon, Rhythm of Niagara's roar, Voicing planet, star and moon, Shrieking of the better years. Prophet-singers will arise, Prophets coming after me, Sing my song in softer guise With more delicate surprise; I am but the pioneer Voice of the Democracy; I am the gutter-dream, I am the golden dream, Singing science, singing steam. I will blow the proud folk down, (Listen to the lion roar!) I am the Kallyope, Kallyope, Kallyope, Tooting hope, tooting hope, tooting hope, tooting hope, Willy willy willy wah hoo! Hoot toot, hoot toot, hoot toot, hoot toot, Whoop whoop, whoop whoop, Whoop whoop, whoop whoop, Willy willy willy wah hoo! Sizz . . . . . Fizz . . . . .

The Forum            Nicholas Vachel Lindsay, 1913

References

• http://www.bandorganmusic.com/music/sound/RescueofMadamLaura.mpg• http://www.doyleintl.com/• http://www.stinsonbandorgans.com/• http://www.doyleintl.com/band_organ_music_midi_library.htm• http://www.doyleintl.com/band_organ_pot_10mmd.htm• http://www.doyleintl.com/links.htm• http://www.doyleintl.com/band_organ_pot_11powerofmmd.htm• http://www.doyleintl.com/band_organ_pot_hme_bopp.htm• http://www.theotherpages.org/poems/amv13_3.html by Kaliyope Yell” Vachel Lindsey• http://www.steamboats.org/forum/showthread.php?t=916 David Morecroft, calliope builder, Peru, Indiana• http://www.youtube.com/v/34OXeV_ZrqQ&hl=en Band organ Kit Carson Fairground, CO• http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=organ+pipe&search_type=• Tuning: http://www.mmdigest.com/Archives/KWIC/T/tuning.html• PVC Pipes: http://rpartos.org/• http://rpartos.org/calliope.html• Building: http://www.carousels.com/wyman/wympt1.htm• http://www.carousels.com/• Calliola Project: http://www.carousels.com/caliola/

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Band Organ Demonstrations, Etc.

• Solar powered carousel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XSshVv5VGk• Band organ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6bFo5MRGQk• Handbuilt Band organ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vPg9QjyC-c• Band Organ Flutes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9CgKMrVZCo&feature=related• Bandorgan Ghost Riders http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEnQ4FsThos&NR=1• Card-reader band organ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTwDQCUdp08&feature=related• http://mama.indstate.edu/users/nizrael/midis/bigtop.mid

• Organ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKDJ6Z_stvg&feature=related• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ITZkuqDiBc• Organ playing basics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4-GSlqyYzs&feature=related• Child’s piano http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y81Zu9AJlGk• http://www.theatreorgans.com/walnuthill/eugenehayek.htm• http://www.popsci.com/video/2007-11/breakdown-singing-tesla-coils• MIDIs: http://mama.indstate.edu/users/nizrael/midis/

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Misc. Websites

• Organists Guild: http://www.spokaneago.org/February.pdf• Australian Mechanical Organs: http://homepage.mac.com/ozorgans/• http://www.freewebs.com/mechanicalorgangallery/• http://www.freewebs.com/mechanicalorgangallery/organfestivaldingles.htm• http://www.freewebs.com/mechanicalorgangallery/gdsf2007.htm• http://ago-spacecoast.tripod.com/id6.html• http://www.blitzbasic.com/Community/posts.php?topic=55076• http://www.fops.org/• www.

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Band Organ Construction

• Busker Organ: http://www.ringsurf.com/ring_browser.php?id=225038• Busker Organ: http://www.ringsurf.com/ring_browser.php?id=225043• http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2004

-07,GGLD:en&q=PVC+pipe+organ• https://mailman.rice.edu/pipermail/childmus/2003-July/000366.html• http://www.geocities.com/hilobayatos/PalaceOrgan3.html• http://www.oldcrows.net/~patchell/OddMusic/OddMusicalInstruments.html• http://www.rwgiangiulio.com/construction/bcabinet2/• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ish78C0fek• http://www.logosfoundation.org/instrum_gwr/puff/puff_pvcpipes.html• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairground_organ• http://nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu/~bodinew/Pages/Overview.html• http://nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu/~bodinew/Pages/SoundProduction.html• http://nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu/~bodinew/Pages/Pipes.html• http://nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu/~bodinew/Pages/MorePipeInfo.html• http://www.apoba.com/PlanningSpaceForPipeOrgans_Word95.doc• http://diyapason.com/sitemap.aspx• http://www.sentex.net/~mwandel/organ/organ.html• http://home.earthlink.net/~anelsen/organ.htm

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Band Organ Pipeworks, Etc.

• 2x bourdon celeste, 2x violin celeste on melody with tremulant, stopped & cello accompaniment, 4', 8', & extra 16' stopped on bass: also a glockenspiel & bass drum, cymbal & snare drum.

• Stopped Diapason 8’,    Flute 4,   Principal 2,

•  Stopped Diapason 8,   Principal 4,   Chimney Flute 4,   Fifteenth2,   SesquialteraII 

• Manual I 1 Open Diapason8  2 Clarabella8  3 Principal 4  4 Nazard2 2/3 5 Fifteenth2  6 Tierce1 3/5 i Manual II to Manual I         Manual II 7 Stopped Diapason 8  8 Salicional8  9 Chimney Flute 4  10 Flageolet2  11 Oboe8    Tremulant to manuals        Pedal12 Sub Bass16  ii Manual I to Pedal    iii Manual II to Pedal  

• Manual Stopped Diapason 8   Principal4   Chimney Flute 4   Twelfth2  2/3   Fifteenth2 

• Sydney Town Hall 64' stop http://www.ohta.org.au/confs/Sydney/SYDNEYTOWNHALL.html

• http://www.arts.ufl.edu/organ/organ_specifications.shtml

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