Ron Severin  <RonSeverin@aol.com>
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I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1970 at 
California State University Long Beach. I began teaching at 
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in 1967 even before 
obtaining my full degree. I worked for the Teaching Sisters 
of Notre Dame. I taught fourth grade, and was incidental, in 
forming a choir of boys and girls to sing for mass.


The same year, 1967, I designed my first pipe organ. I spent 
six months sitting at the organ bench, getting it all right 
with the voicer. I had learned some habits while associated
with Holzinger Organs, and learning from none other than
Pieter Visser. Richard Bond did the final tonal adjustments.
It was indeed a thrill to hear your organ sing, and knowing
that you had a great deal to do with it's success. The organ
turned out to be a fifteen rank French Orgue de Choer.
I played that organ for nine more years. It was the envy of
the town of Downey, CA. I've always loved that sound.
It was destroyed in the 1987 Whittier Narrows Quake.
Part of my heart of hearts went with it.


I have saved several organs from the land fill, especially if 
they had any merit at all. My ideal sound was a cross between 
the French and English Cathedral sound. I liked the warmth 
and power of the reeds especially. Silbermann and Cavaille 
Coll were my ideal builders. I'm approaching 50 years of 
experience with the King of Instruments. My first love is 
playing the Mass. I still hear music with the wonderment of a 
child, and create as close as I can imagine for my hearers, 
heaven. The organ to me represents, majesty and yes the voice 
of God Himself. He is the God of harmony, beauty and music. 
Without God, there is no music! I play music that I feel, 
will please Him. I'm indeed blessed that the congregants also 
see it my way.


I believe the famous saying, Bach said, The organ is my 
pulpit. I've never for one moment, forgot why I was there, or 
Who I work for.