Florida Tech Solar-Powered Band Organ Details

The Mighty Stinson 2000M-2 MIDI Concert Band Organ Example by Frank R. Leslie, Adjunct Professor, DMES Florida Tech 6/4/2008a

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

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

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 080425

Band Organ vs. Calliope

• Band organs date from – Basically organ pipes, but train 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 – 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 Calliope on the Minnie-Ha-Ha, a stern-wheeler on Lake George, NY 080319

Band Organ Example

http://www.freewebs.com/mechanicalorgangaller y/gdsf2004.htm

• Mobile fairground organ and a horn organ 080128

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.

080521

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 080521

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 080521

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 080521

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 080521

Band Organ System Diagram

Solar Modules 12Vdc Low Pressure Blower Air Manifold & 12Vdc Valves 45?

2 Pipe Rank(s) (24/rank?) 6 Charge Controller ~13.8 V @ 2A MIDI Files Notebook PC Computer MIDI Decoder Percussion 12 V Deep-Cycle Battery Display Lighting Line 120V Inverter Power Supply MIDI Software Composer 120Vac indoors Block diagram Piano Roll Player/ Reader 1 or 2 Keyboard(s) Two-Section Case 080321

Budget Bogey Number Case, Main Cases, Wings Façade MIDI Devices Electrical/Air Supply Software Pipes Percussion Misc Labor Trailer, Parade/Moving Lighting Solar Power Trips Presentation/Publicity Main Budget Total

Main Budget Margin With Donated Labor

Budgetary Estimate for Initial Build

$6,000 Totals

$298.00 $130.00 $324.00

$1,389.00 $681.30

$100.00

$216.00

$141.00

$42.00

$900.00

$725.00

$24.00

$670.00

$190.00

$170.00

$6,000.30

-$0.30

$5,100.30

Bogey plus 30% Margin Comments

Two-piece; ~76"H OA x 120"W total x 24" D Two-piece; ~48"H x 30"W x 18" D Six pieces 1/2" plywood; textiles includes notebook computer low pressure MIDI S/W, etc.

two ranks: flutes bass and snare drums plus xylophone hardware Extent is TBD; volunteers?

utility trailer, basic low-side LED highlighting optional for parades and other outdoors events purchase trips to Sanford FL at RMR optional, (?) with 30% margin + is under budget volunteer or student project work reduces cost

$7,800 Notes

1 1 1 1 1 1 1, 2 1 1 1 3 3 3 1, 8 3

$7,800.39

-$0.39

080529

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 080521

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

080319

“The Kallyope Yell “ by Vachel Lindsey

The 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, 2

IV

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/ 080321

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/ 080425

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.

080411

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

080411

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

manuals

Pedal12 Sub Bass16

i Manual II to Manual I

Diapason 8 8 Salicional8 9 Chimney Flute 4 10 Flageolet2 11 Oboe8 Manual II 7 Stopped

Tremulant to 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

080411