Monthly Archives: April 2014

Halifax Organ Academy – Calderdale Methodist Circuit

The Halifax Organ Academy (HOA) and the Calderdale Methodist Circuit wish to appoint an Organ Scholar.

The Scholar will play the organ at different churches – all with pipe organs – within Calderdale Methodist Circuit. The churches – each within easy travelling distance of central Halifax – are:

Southgate Methodist Church, Elland

St Andrew’s Methodist Church, Halifax

Highgate Methodist Church, Halifax

The Scholar will be expected to play for six Sunday services each quarter. The schedule will be agreed by negotiation.

The main benefits of the scholarship are:

  • £500 per annum depending on duties undertaken, plus possibility of occasional fees/travel expenses
  • £500 bursary for lessons and music purchase
  • Free organ lessons at Halifax Minster, and guidance in all areas of the role
  • 4 manual Harrison & Harrison at the Minster and good pipe organs at the designated churches within the circuit
  • Recital and conducting opportunities
  • Opportunities for the right candidate to be involved with planning music and choir training

This appointment would suit a candidate preparing for an Oxbridge scholarship, a gap year student or an undergraduate/postgraduate student who wishes to develop skills in church music. The scholarship is also open to young professionals wishing to develop their careers.

The post is subject to DBS checks.

The Organ Scholar will:

  • Be fully engaged with the musical activities of the Calderdale Methodist Circuit and the Halifax Organ Academy under the direction of the Organist of Southgate Methodist Church.
  • Play for up to six Sunday services per quarter. The schedule of the Organ Scholar will be planned in consultation with nominated representatives of the churches.
  • Be available to play for weddings and funerals across the Circuit as required
  • Attend Halifax Organ Academy events, as advised
  • Take regular organ lessons, as advised

Priority will be given to candidates who:

  • Play the organ to grade 8 standard
  • Have experience in playing for congregational singing and accompanying choirs on the organ
  • For further information or to discuss the post informally, please contact…

For further information or to discuss the post informally, please contact Professor David Baker.

E-mail d.baker152@btinternet.com

Telephone 01422-884655

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RCO (and HOA) Classes

RCO Summer Classes (May to September) are now advertised at https://www.rco.org.uk/organ_school.php and you can book very easily on line.   
Anne Marsden Thomas (Head of RCO Academy Organ School) writes:
This year we are introducing a ‘Concert Class’,  which we are repeating in different locations and at different standards.  There is therefore a Concert Class for everyone in the Organ School and I urge each of our students to take advantage of this opportunity to develop all-important performance experience.   Concert Classes (based on our popular Summer Concert Parties, but with only six students to allow lots of teaching time) offer you a chance to share a performance, not just with fellow students, but also with your friends and family, so do tell them about it as soon as you have booked!  Another new class is Frederick Stocken’s ‘Arrange and Compose’ (13th Sept).  This class is not just for budding composers, but also for those who need to arrange music (e.g. reharmonising a tune, or providing a descant or a part for an instrumentalist).  Frederick will give clear guidelines plus focused one-to-one help, whatever your need.

A

Saturday 10th May 2014 (14:00-17:00)

Spring Concert Class (all standards)

Old St Martin, Cornmarket, Worcester 
Gerdi Troskie

B

Saturday 17th May 2014 (16:00 – 19:00)

Aural Training for Grade 6+

St Giles Cripplegate, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DA
Marilyn Harper

C

Saturday 31st May 2014 (11:00 – 14:00)

Spring Concert Class (Grades 5 to 8)

St Giles Cripplegate, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DA
Gabriele Damiani

D

Saturday 7th June 2014 (14:00 – 17:00)

Summer Concert Class (all standards)

St Michael the Archangel, Lyme Regis
Richard Godfrey

E

Saturday 14th June 2014 (10:00 – 13:00)

Summer Concert Class (Grade 8 to diploma standard)

St George, Hanover Square, London W1S 1FX
Simon Williams

F

Saturday 21st June 2014 (14:00 – 17:00)

Organ Repertoire in the UK, 1890–1945

Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, London WC2H 8EP
Gerard Brooks

G

Saturday 5th July 2014 (14:00 – 17:00)

Summer Concert Class (all standards)

St John, Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead
Roger Carter

H

Saturday 12th July 2014 (11:00 – 14:00)

Early Music – stylistic tips

St Giles Cripplegate, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DA
Daniel Moult

J

Saturday 13th September 2014 (11:00 – 14:00)

Arrange and compose for organ

SS Mary and Joseph, Poplar, London E14 6EZ
Frederick Stocken

Dates for your diary:

Sept 20th, 1100 – 1400 St. Giles Cripplegate, London, ‘Play Franck’ with Andrew Cantrill (Grades 4-8+)

Sept 27th, 1400 – 1700 Merton College, Oxford, Concert Class with Nicholas Prozzillo (all standards)

Oct 4th, 1400 – 1700 St. Giles-in-the-Fields, London, Concert Class with Jonathan Bunney (Grades 1-4)

Oct 18th, 1400 – 1700 St. Michael’s Chester Square, London, Concert Class with Tom Bell (Grades 8/Diploma)

Oct 25th, 1400 – 1700 St. Michael’s Mythmolroyd, Yorkshire, Concert Class with David Baker (all standards)

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Oundle for Organists 2014

There is still time to book on the Oundle for Organists summer courses.  Students from the region who have attended to date thoroughly recommend the classes.

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London Organ Concerts Guide Spring/Summer 2014

The London Organ Concerts Guide (LOCG) provides details of organ recitals and concerts on and around London. Information can be found at http://www.londonorgan.co.uk/. The Guide is also available in hard copy in a handy pocket-size format.

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RCO Academy Events to Summer 2014

The RCO Academy’s events for organists of all ages and backgrounds have now been advertised through to August. Details are available from The RCO’s website.

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Armley 2014

St Bartholomew’s Armley Organ Concerts for 2014 should prove to be very entertaining, with special events to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Schulze organ’s restoration and the Tour de France in Yorkshire as well as other recitals and events by well known players.

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Yorkshire Organ Day 2014

This year the Yorkshire Organ Day will be held in Sheffield on Saturday 10 May.  Download the details here.

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