Individual Details
Philip J. RABOIN
(30 Jun 1911 - 14 Mar 1982)
Birthplace from personal knowledge of his sister, Doris Raboin Larson -- he was born on his parents' homestead at Raboin Spur, south of Cass Lake.
Moved to Washington State with his parents in about 1930. Later became the Washington State Organist and played at the state capitol. Wrote several books on organ playing.
This article was printed in Time Magazine:
Monday, Apr. 02, 1945 Music: Thunder under the Dome
The lieutenant governor of Washington (state) is a onetime bandleader who still delights in music. While collecting votes last year, Victor Aloysius Meyers impulsively invited a former movie-palace organist,just discharged from the Army, to come to the State Capitol some time and play for the legislature. Organist Phil Raboin eventually showed up in Olympia, was put on the state payroll as a clerk and assigned to soothe ruffled legislative nerves with a daily recital.
One night, just before the legislature adjourned, Organist Raboin pushed his little organ out to the Capitol's echoing rotunda. He sat down,idly began playing The Lost Chord. After a few notes he stopped, awed.The Capitol dome, fourth highest in the world, had amplified the organ notes to rolling musical thunder. Raboin experimented. He discovered that by sounding different notes on a low pedal he could create sympathetic vibrations in the rotunda of the Capitol. The effect was terrifying. The sound rose to an eerie roar. It rattled the windows,shook doors, threatened to bring down the 5½-ton chandelier suspended from the dome's cap.* But that was only one side of it. Even the softest of lullabies rolled clearly and without echo in the rotunda.
Secretly Governor Wallgren began calling in sound engineers, grew more & more excited. Finally he announced: "The Capitol possesses a musical sounding board the equal of the most famous in the world. . . ." There were hasty comparisons to the Vatican and the Mormon temple.
Last week Raboin (who now has a new job: state organist) held his first Sunday concert. A reporter commented: "It was terrific. People stood with their mouths open. . . . It's got everybody on his ear."
* Since Joshua's trumpets collapsed the walls of Jericho, the destructive qualities of musical vibrations have been legendary. Actual example: Chicago's indoor stadium organ (strong as 25 brass bands) smashes electric bulbs when played fortissimo.
Moved to Washington State with his parents in about 1930. Later became the Washington State Organist and played at the state capitol. Wrote several books on organ playing.
This article was printed in Time Magazine:
Monday, Apr. 02, 1945 Music: Thunder under the Dome
The lieutenant governor of Washington (state) is a onetime bandleader who still delights in music. While collecting votes last year, Victor Aloysius Meyers impulsively invited a former movie-palace organist,just discharged from the Army, to come to the State Capitol some time and play for the legislature. Organist Phil Raboin eventually showed up in Olympia, was put on the state payroll as a clerk and assigned to soothe ruffled legislative nerves with a daily recital.
One night, just before the legislature adjourned, Organist Raboin pushed his little organ out to the Capitol's echoing rotunda. He sat down,idly began playing The Lost Chord. After a few notes he stopped, awed.The Capitol dome, fourth highest in the world, had amplified the organ notes to rolling musical thunder. Raboin experimented. He discovered that by sounding different notes on a low pedal he could create sympathetic vibrations in the rotunda of the Capitol. The effect was terrifying. The sound rose to an eerie roar. It rattled the windows,shook doors, threatened to bring down the 5½-ton chandelier suspended from the dome's cap.* But that was only one side of it. Even the softest of lullabies rolled clearly and without echo in the rotunda.
Secretly Governor Wallgren began calling in sound engineers, grew more & more excited. Finally he announced: "The Capitol possesses a musical sounding board the equal of the most famous in the world. . . ." There were hasty comparisons to the Vatican and the Mormon temple.
Last week Raboin (who now has a new job: state organist) held his first Sunday concert. A reporter commented: "It was terrific. People stood with their mouths open. . . . It's got everybody on his ear."
* Since Joshua's trumpets collapsed the walls of Jericho, the destructive qualities of musical vibrations have been legendary. Actual example: Chicago's indoor stadium organ (strong as 25 brass bands) smashes electric bulbs when played fortissimo.
Events
| Birth | 30 Jun 1911 | Raboin, Cass, Minnesota, United States |  | ||
| Death | 14 Mar 1982 | Olympia, Thurston, Washington, United States | | ||
| Burial | Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Tumwater, Thurston, Washington, United States | |
Families
| Father | Joseph Maxime RABOIN (1873 - 1967) |
| Mother | Rose Delia CLUMB or COLOMBE (1885 - ) |
| Sibling | Doris Marguerite RABOIN (1904 - 1995) |
Endnotes
1. , Find A Grave, photographs and extracted information (findagrave.com : accessed 12 October 2015), Phillip J. Raboin; memorial #94680190.
2. Social Security Death Index.
3. , Find A Grave, photographs and extracted information (findagrave.com : accessed 12 October 2015), Phillip J. Raboin; memorial #94680190.
4. , Find A Grave, photographs and extracted information (findagrave.com : accessed 12 October 2015), Phillip J. Raboin; memorial #94680190.