The well-known German organist, Hans Uwe Hielscher will play in an organ concert in Ashton-under-Lyne on 7 July 2019 at 3.00pm. Admission is free and all are welcome. Click here to see further information.
Monthly Archives: June 2019
Hans Hielscher Organ Concert, 7 July 2019
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Alessandro Bianchi Organ Recital, 6 July 2019
On Saturday 6 July 2019 at 7.30pm, Alessandro Bianchi will be performing an organ recital at Christ Church, Linthwaite. Click here to view the programme for the event and further information.
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The Coffee House Organ Recitals 2019
Wednesdays at 6.30pm, The Coffee House, Everingham, YO42 4JD. Free admission, Each recital lasts 45 minutes.
24 July – Nigel Holdsworth (St Columba’s, Priory Street, York) Bach every way up…& some patriotic charm: Butterworth, Ireland & Elgar
7 August – John Scott Whiteley Some Contemporary Pieces: James Macmillan, Geoffrey Webber, Andrew Synnott, Andrew Carter, Thierry Escaich, Naji Hakim
21 August – William Whitehead (London) Byrd, Whitlock (Scherzetto) & an Orgelbüchlein Bouquet
4 September – John Scott Whiteley Bach’s Great Preludes & fugues: C Major, B Minor, G Minor
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The Royal College of Organists – upcoming events
The following is a summary of forthcoming RCO events. ‘Y’ indicates events geared to young organists, while ‘SC’ denotes a small class for maximum 6 people (plus observers as appropriate). Please note that the 24-hour clock is used throughout.
Saturday 22 Jun 2019 (10:00–17:00)
Preparing for CRCO, ARCO and FRCO
London SE21: St Barnabas, Dulwich
Study day for those preparing for or considering CRCO, ARCO or FRCO; booking now open. Places available. Read more >>
23–28 July 2019
The Organ Student Experience (TOSE) (Y)
Cambridge: Trinity College and others
The essential course for teenage organists of Grade 7 standard and above, offering expert tuition in repertoire, keyboard skills, choral conducting and accompaniment. Artistic Director, Daniel Moult. Read more >>
Saturday 27 July 2019 (14:00–17:00)
Building a Repertoire: Music from the Classical French era (SC)
Newcastle: King’s Hall, Newcastle University
Newcastle University’s new Aubertin organ is the perfect instrument on which to unlock the magic of the French Classical era. Music by composers such as F. Couperin, Marchand, de Grigny and Clerambault will be the starting point for the class; six players (any standard) are invited to bring along movements (or sections of works) for coaching with Andrew Cantrill-Fenwick, an experienced exponent of the style. Places available. Read more >>
29 July–3 August 2019
RCO Summer Course
City of London: St Giles, Cripplegate and others
The big course with the personal touch for all ages and stages; seven levels of study; and up to 20 different City organs. Directed by Simon Williams. Places available. Read more >>
6–8 September 2019
OrganFest 2019
Cardiff & Llandaff: various venues
A collaboration between the College, the IAO and BIOS, this is a splendid weekend of concerts, presentations and lectures covering all aspects of the organ. It takes place across the city in venues as diverse as St David’s Hall, Eglwys Dewi Sant, St John the Baptist church, the National Museum of Wales and in Llandaff Cathedral. Online and telephone booking now open. Read more >>
Saturday 14 September 2019 (13:30–16:30)
Building a Repertoire: Music for Advent and Christmas (SC)
Northumberland: Hexham Abbey
Looking to test out a new piece on one of the country’s most inspiring instruments, or to explore fresh musical ideas for Advent and Christmas? This class, led by Andrew Cantrill-Fenwick, will provide practical assistance and encouragement for players of all standards and will include short presentations of relevant repertoire. Read more >>
Saturday 12 October 2019 (18:30–21:30)
Performance class (SC)
Lincoln Cathedral
A chance to perform on one of only two ‘Father’ Willis organs in English cathedrals to retain its original tonal scheme. Bring a suitable piece to work on under the guidance of Jeffrey Makinson, Director of Music at Lincoln and an RCO accredited teacher. Booking opens soon.
Saturday 19 October 2019 (10:30–16:30)
Hymns and voluntaries (SC)
Windsor: Holy Trinity Church
A day of practical advice with RCO Regional Consultant John Halsey, focused on improving your hymn and voluntary playing. Suitable for all ages and levels of experience up to CRCO diploma, and especially good for anyone new to playing in church. Read more >>
Saturday 19 October 2019 (11:30–14:30)
Teach the organ! (1 of 6) (SC)
London EC2: St Giles, Cripplegate
All places taken for this ground-breaking, comprehensive series of six classes with Anne Marsden Thomas MBE, covering key aspects of teaching the organ. (One place currently remains for the sixth class. Please email events@rco.org.ukto be added to the waiting list.)
Saturday 26 October (11:30–14:30)
Teach the organ! (2 of 6) (SC)
London EC2: St Giles, Cripplegate
All places taken for this ground-breaking, comprehensive series of six classes with Anne Marsden Thomas MBE, covering key aspects of teaching the organ. (One place currently remains for the sixth class. Please email events@rco.org.ukto be added to the waiting list.)
Thursday 31 October (18:00–21:00)
Adlington’s time-capsule (SC)
nr Macclesfield, Cheshire: Adlington Hall
A chance to play Adlington’s historic 17th-century organ, known to, and almost certainly played by, Handel. A class on repertoire and style of the period with Daniel Moult. Booking opens soon; make a note of the date or email Tom Bell to register your interest.
Saturday 16 November (time tbc)
Walond and his contemporaries (SC)
Oxford: Lincoln College
Gabriele Damiani invites you to explore the music of William Walond, an English organist and composer born in Oxford in 1719, and other English 18th-century composers.. Booking opens shortly.
Wednesday 20 November 2019
La révolte des orgues
London SW1: Westminster Cathedral
Promoted by Westminster Cathedral in partnership with the College, here is rare chance to hear an astonishing organ work by Jean Guillou, composed for nine organs, percussion and conductor. Booking not yet open, but reserve the date.
Saturday 23 November 2019 (14:00–17:00)
Improvisation for Beginners
Durham: College of St Hild & St Bede
The first of three classes in which Andrew Cantrill-Fenwick sets out his inspiring approach to improvisation, working in a structured way with demonstrations and console time for each player. This first session, for organists with limited or no experience, or for those wishing to refresh their improvisatory skills, is designed for a group of up to eight players. It will cover harmony, melody, rhythm, and organ management in a format designed to generate confidence and creativity. Further sessions in 2020. Read more >>
Saturday 30 November (time tbc)
Console management (SC)
London W1: All Saints, Margaret Street
Too much choice and no spare hand? Using the church’s 4-manual Harrison & Harrison organ with its 66 speaking stops, Jeremiah Stephenson coaches you in managing seamless registration changes using pistons and the swell box. Especially useful for those involved in choral accompaniment. Booking opens soon.
Saturday 7 December 2019 (14:00–17:00)
Bach’s feet (SC)
Manchester: Cathedral
Learn from Christopher Stokes about the pedalling techniques ofBach’s day and how this informs our playing of repertoire of the period. Booking opens soon; make a note of the date or email Tom Bell to register your interest.
Saturday 15 February 2020 (11:30–14:30)
Teach the organ! (3 of 6) (SC)
London EC2: St Giles, Cripplegate
All places taken for this ground-breaking, comprehensive series of six classes with Anne Marsden Thomas MBE, covering key aspects of teaching the organ. (One place currently remains for the sixth class. Please email events@rco.org.ukto be added to the waiting list.)
Saturday 4 May 2020 (10:30–13:30)
Teach the organ! (4 of 6) (SC)
London EC2: St Giles, Cripplegate
All places taken for this ground-breaking, comprehensive series of six classes with Anne Marsden Thomas MBE, covering key aspects of teaching the organ. (One place currently remains for the sixth class.)
Saturday 4 May 2020 (14:30–17:30)
Teach the organ! (5 of 6) (SC)
London EC2: St Giles, Cripplegate
All places taken for this ground-breaking, comprehensive series of six classes with Anne Marsden Thomas MBE, covering key aspects of teaching the organ. (One place currently remains for the sixth class. Please email events@rco.org.ukto be added to the waiting list.)
Saturday 30 May 2020 (11:30–14:30)
Teach the organ! (6 of 6) (SC)
London EC2: St Giles, Cripplegate
See also Saturday 19 October. Class 6 covers registration, and the particular skills required of the church organist. Only one place available for this class. Read more >>
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The Northern Ireland International Organ Competition (NIIOC) 2019
The competition will take place Monday 19 – Wednesday 21 August in the cathedral city of Armagh. The jury will be chaired by Martin Baker, Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral in London and President of the Royal College of Organists. He will be joined as guest adjudicator by New Zealand-born Katherine Dienes-Williams, Organist and Master of the Choristers at Guildford Cathedral, Surrey. David Hill, music director of the Bach Choir, London, principal conductor of the Schola Cantorum at Yale College, Connecticut, US and artistic director of the Charles Wood Summer School, Armagh, which runs concurrently with NIIOC, completes the jury.
The 2019 competition will see the second award of the Dame Gillian Weir Medal for the most outstanding performance of one work by a performer in the senior category of the competition. The medal will again use the design made in collaboration with Belfast College of Art by jewellery and silversmithing specialist Declan Coyle from Londonderry. The inaugural award was made in 2018 to Donal McCann from Belfast, currently organ scholar at King’s College, Cambridge.
NIIOC is for organists aged 21 and under. It offers substantial monetary prizes, prestigious recital opportunities and masterclasses with leading organists across the globe. Founded in 2011, from the outset it has attracted exceptionally gifted young players; early winners Ben Comeau, Ben Bloor, Richard Gowers and Andrew Forbes are already establishing successful careers. Last year’s competition was won by Johannes Krahl from Leipzig, Germany. The first winner from outside the British Isles was Mona Rozdestvenskyte from Russia in 2016.
The first NIIOC CD recording was launched in 2017. It features performances by the senior winners of the 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015 competitions, playing the Walker organ of St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh, which is used in the competition.
A partnership with the St Albans International Organ Competition was established in 2016, with the aim of creating both competitive and performance opportunities for organists aged under 21 (NIIOC) and under 33 (St Albans).
Richard Yarr, founder and artistic director of the competition, said: ‘We created the competition to discover talented young players and give them a platform to show everyone what they can do. Our competition continues to grow year on year as we attract top organists from across Europe and beyond. It has been a real privilege to see how past NIIOC winners have grown and developed their playing over the years.’
NIIOC is organised in three categories:
The Senior Category for Post-Grade 8 players takes place on Monday 19 August in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh. Entrants must perform a balanced 20-minute programme, consisting of at least three pieces and including a major work of J S Bach. The first prize for 2019 consists of £1,500 plus promoted recitals at seven internationally-acclaimed venues, including St Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York; Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral, London; and King’s College Chapel, Cambridge. They will also give a recital at a Royal College of Organists The Organ Scholar Experience event.
Entry is limited to 12 competitors, chosen on the basis of CD or MP3 recordings, which must be submitted with application forms.
The Intermediate Category for players of Grades 6-8 standard takes place on Tuesday 20 August in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh. Applicants should not have gained an organ diploma. There is a free choice of repertoire for recitals which must consist of two or three pieces, lasting in total no more than 12 minutes.
This year will see the first award of The Dunleath Organ Scholarship Trust Prize, a £200 prize for the best overall performance by an Irish competitor in the Intermediate category.
The Junior Category for players of Grades 4-5 standard takes place on Tuesday 20 August in St Malachy’s Church, Armagh. Applicants must not have Grade 6 organ or above. There is a free choice of repertoire for recitals which must consist of two or three pieces, lasting in total no more than eight minutes.
No shortlisting recordings are required for the junior or intermediate categories.
The closing date for entries for all three categories is Friday 19 July 2019 at 6pm.
More information and downloadable application forms can be found on the competition website www.niioc.com or contact the competition organisers by email info@niioc.com.
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Diocese of Leeds Schools Singing Programme
Leeds Trinity Cathedral and School Choirs Gala Concert
Sunday 30th June, 4pm, Leeds Cathedral
Free admission
‘Sing, sing, o heavenly choir!’: A Selection of Medieval Music
Performed by the Senior Boys and Girls Choirs of Leeds Cathedral
Monday 1st July, 7pm
Click here for ticket information
(Free admission for choir parents)
Bishop Konstant Catholic Academy Trust Singing Festival
Tuesday 2nd July, 6pm, SS Peter and Paul Church, Wakefield
Free admission
Huddersfield Youth Choirs BBC Radio 4
Sunday Worship Broadcast
7th July, 8.10am
Keighley Junior Choir Summer Concert
Wednesday 10th July, 4.30pm, St Joseph’s CPS, Keighley
Free admission
Bradford Catholic Youth Choir
End of year Mass & Summer Concert
Sunday 14th July, 10am, St Joseph’s Church, Bradford
Free admission
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Halifax District Organists’ Association Centenary – celebratory organ recital, 15 June 2019
As part of Halifax District Organists’ Association’s centenary, Sean Montgomery will be giving an organ recital at St Martin’s Church, Brighouse on Saturday 15 June at 7.30 pm. Entry is free, there will be a retiring collection.
The hour-long programme, designed to showcase the chancel and west gallery organs, will feature a selection of organ music first published in 1919, together with music that celebrates the Feast of the Ascension.
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