2010-04-15/2019-02-05 - On-line update from Art Aadland -- Reverend Aadland studied intensively to become a professional organ builder during his late years at Edison High School and most of his years, while at Augsburg College. A near fatal experience called him into the ministry, where he served his congregations with the highest level of dedication, directed the choirs, and built pipe organs, totally from the raw wood, for two of the congregations and churches that he served. His active organ building years were from 1954 until 1985 (approx). His latest project was an Italian Style 15-rank one manual organ that he built for his beloved wife Inga, who served along side him, as full time organist and church secretary in most of the churches in which he served. Reverend Aadland searched nationwide during his early high school years for an original copy (two very large volumess) of George Ashdown Audsley's The art of organ building and studied these original manuals for many years, and applying some of the criteria that was recorded by Audsley from Dom Bédos and other noted builders.
2015-11-07/2020-04-09 - From "Rev. Arthur Othello Aadland" Obituary in The Journal New Ulm MN, published May 25, 2009, accessed on-line Nov 7, 2015 -- Rev. Arthur Othello Aadland, 91, of rural Westbrook died May 20, 2009, at the Westbrook Hospital. Born on March 30, 1918 in Minneapolis, MN; earned degrees at Augsburg College and Luther Theological Seminary, followed by his ordination as a Lutheran pastor. Designed and built complete pipe organs for two of his churches: Old Westbrook Luthern in New Ulm, MN and Immanuel Lutheran in Absarokee, MT. Father of Art Aadland, head of the Aadland Pipe Organ Co. in Valley Spring, South Dakota.
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