Bob Taylor wrote:

> The very first note (tenor E) should repeat, for the words, "O Holy",
> but on my roll, it is an extended note with no break.  When that
> melody is repeated, the note does repeat on the second pass.  I am
> wondering if other owners of this roll could check their copies to
> verify if this is indeed the way the music is played by Gibson."

This may indicate an antiquated style of playing piano music on the
organ.  I was taught early on that when playing a piano score on the
organ, do not repeat any repeated notes.  However, when I took lessons
from Dr. Joyce Jones, the prevailing style was to repeat as written so
the singer can catch the beat.  Your roll, I think, is a stylistic
piece of history.  If I were you I would add the note divisions for
modern use.

The technique of playing this would be as follows:  if there is quarter
note, quarter note, quarter note it would be played eighth note, eighth
rest, eighth note, eighth rest, quarter note as an example.  In other
words the space between notes comes out of the end of the previous
note.

D.L. Bullock
www.pianoworld.us