Organist Sets Unofficial World Record

Terry Charles began his love affair with the organ when his parents took him to see a star organist at age 13.

“When that big organ came out of the orchestra pit,” he said, “I was just enamored with it.”

Charles, now age 73, plays his 800^th consecutive concert at the Kirk of Dunedin Church on Dec. 15. It’s a world record by all measurable standards, he explained.

All of the internationally renowned organists he knows told him they’d never heard of any other organists reaching such a milestone. When he called the Guinness Book of World Records about it, they agreed it could be a new record. They don’t even have one like it on the books. But for substantial fee he could open the process to start a new category for it, Charles said.

Guinness Records spokesperson Jamie Panas said a fee only applies if the person requests to rush the process or to have someone judge the record in person. It is free to apply for, break or open a record, Panas clarified.

The regular record proposal process usually takes four to six weeks, Panas explained.

Charles ultimately decided not to pursue it. Then, he said, they suggested he shoot for attaining the title of Longest Tenure as a Church Pianist/Organist instead, which would be free. The record to beat is 69 years (held by Mississippi's Ida Mae Cumbest).

Charles said he's excited for the 800-milestone regardless.

Proceeds from the Christmas concert series benefit the restoration of the Grand Duchess, a 1926 Avalon Theater (Chicago) organ he pieced together when the church was built in the 1960s.

So far, about $17,000 has gone into the restoration project. He said they are about one-third of the way to completion and estimates a need for about $34,000 to finish. The next phase of the project focuses on the 17 wooden diaphone pipes that haven’t been touched since 1926, he said.

Want to go?

When: 2 p.m. on Dec. 15, 16 and 17.

Where: Kirk of Dunedin Church, 2686 Bayshore Boulevard

Tickets: $12; Call 727-733-9305 to reserve seats.

Details: The first half of the show includes the "happy hits" of the season, Charles said. The second half showcases the more "traditional" Christmas tunes.

[Updated Dec. 13, 2011, 4:47 p.m.]