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SUN CHRONICLE STAFF

Editor's Note: To view a slide show with music and other photos, click on the Photo Gallery link from The Sun Chronicle's home page, then click on "Pipe Dreams" under slide shows and audio.

ATTLEBORO - Mary Whelan wasn't chasing any pipe dream.

During a trip to the Netherlands this past spring, she got to see and hear more than 60 pipe organs in 29 cities and towns.

For her, pipe organs are a passion. What's unfortunate, she says, is that interest in them is dying among younger generations in America. It's a shame, she said, because listening to organ music and the variety of sounds created through the pipes and bellows within the cavernous acoustics of churches can provide emotional and spiritual fulfillment unlike any other.

For Whelan, who returned to the organ about four years ago following her retirement as associate librarian at Wheaton College, playing pipe organs "is a whole other experience, too."

While it took several days into the tour to get up her nerve to play, especially since the tour included some "significant organists," she finally did so at St. Walburgiskerk in the town of Zutphen. The elaborate organ dated to 1642.

Her experience abroad is in tune with an effort that will be launched soon by the American Guild of Organists, of which she is a member. The group has designated 2008-09 as the "International Year of the Organ."

"One of the concerns is that there are not enough young organists coming along. They're trying hard to encourage young people to learn and play," Whelan said.

There are fewer organ students as well as fewer organ teachers than in the past. In addition, the number of organ departments in schools and universities are shrinking or have recently closed, according to James Thomashower, the guild's executive director, in the organizations recent edition of The American Organist.

Perhaps adding to the decline of pipe organs is newer trends in music accompanying worship services, including ensembles, as well as the decline of aging membership within the guild.

Another goal of the guild's initiative is to preserve and maintain organs, Whelan said. "We want to sustain these organs with churches closing (in the U.S.)."

"They're a priceless treasure of art and human expression and it would be a tragedy to lose any great organ."

Whelan believes the organ is more revered in Europe, largely because it plays a secular role as well as a religious one compared to the United States. In some communities in Europe, the organs are owned by the municipalities and public organ concerts are held. "It's helped to maintain a broader interest in the organ, so that they are not strictly relegated to religious services," she said.

Whelan played the organ at her local church when she was in high school. But then she entered the library world and, while she continued with piano, stopped playing the organ. Whelan said she was inspired to return to it by the search for and rebuilding of an 1882 Hook & Hastings pipe organ for Murray Unitarian Universalist Church.

She said "the beautiful pipe organ" at Murray, which she attends, and encouragement from the church's music director, Dennis Ferguson, put her back behind the keyboard.

Whelan visited the Netherlands on American Public Media's Pipedreams Euro-Tour, established in 2000. ("Pipedreams," started in 1982 and hosted by Michael Barone, is the only nationally distributed weekly radio program exploring the art of the pipe organ.)

Not everyone in Whelan's 50-member tour group played the organ, but all had an affinity for what is sometimes described as the "King of Instruments," she said. There were also some organ builders.

The tour included demonstrations on the organs at each church and a trip to a more than 100-year-old company that still builds organs. Dutch organist Arjen Leistra traveled with the group and would play a 20 to 30-minute concert, then tour members would get their turn.

Most churches contained two organs; a large one at the front and a smaller, choir organ, but all were ornate in style. Some had "shutters" that closed over the organs, Whelan said.

The oldest organ on the tour was at St. Laurenskerk in Alkmaar, dating to 1511.

Whelan was taken by the many "stops" on the organs, which are supposed to create the sounds of different instruments, like the violin.

Beyond organs, Whelan said it was fascinating to learn about the Netherlands and its people, and take in the churches with their stained glass and stone work.

One of her favorite churches was Hervormde Kerk in the small town of Noordbroek, where there was a Schnitger organ dating to 1695.

"The best part," she said of the organs she saw on the tour, "is that they're still mechanical" as opposed to computer-operated. They are a testament to time and their art, Whelan said.

Each night she would go to sleep to the recordings of organ music.

"I will remember this for the rest of my life. I have the recordings and photos," Whelan said.

SUSAN LaHOUD can be reached at 508-236-0398 or at slahoud@thesunchronicle.com.