Category Archives: News and Views

We are sad to share the news that Douglas Bell, the well-known organist, has died. The funeral notice is available here and includes funeral details.

BBC Radio 3 Live Broadcast
Wednesday 2 November, 4pm
Choral Vespers sung by Leeds Cathedral Choir

Music for Remembrance Concert
Sunday 13 November, Leeds Cathedral, 4pm
A concert given by Leeds Cathedral Choir

BBC Radio 4 Live Broadcast
Sunday 4 December, 8:10am
A live broadcast of Sunday Worship, sung by Bradford Catholic Youth Choir and children from the Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy Trust schools

Leeds Cathedral Carol Service
Sunday 11 December, Leeds Cathedral, 4pm
A traditional service of lessons and carols

Christmas Choral Music
Monday 12 December, Leeds Cathedral, 1:10pm
Christmas choral music as part of Leeds International Concert Season, including Britten’s Ceremony of Carols

Christmas Choral and Organ Music
Thursday 15 December, Huddersfield Town Hall, 1pm
A concert given by the Huddersfield Boys and Girls Choirs, with children from local schools

Carol Service at St Patrick’s Church, Huddersfield
Sunday 18 December, St Patrick’s Church, Huddersfield, 4pm
Sung by Huddersfield Girls, Boys, and Junior Choirs

Bradford Catholic Youth Choir Carol Service
Sunday 18 December, St Joseph’s Church, Bradford, 4pm

For more information about any of these events, please contact the Music Office at office@dioceseofleedsmusic.org.uk.

The Organizing Committee of the Mikael Tariverdiev International Organ Competition had announced the dates of the 13th competition.

The organizing committee has changed the age of possible participation in the competition. The Competition may be participated by organists born not earlier than January 1, 1983.

The first round:

Hamburg, Germany — April, 17–21

New Haven, Connecticut, USA — May, 9–12

Beijing, China — May, 22–25

Moscow, Russia — August, 28–31

The second and the third rounds:

Kaliningrad, Russia — September, 3–9

President of the Jury — Martin Jean, the USA 

The programme, rules and the list of Jury are on the website.

Creative Oundle have shared information about ‘Springboard’ their newest offering, and as the title suggests, it’s designed to spring you onwards and upwards in your organ studies. Like their Summer School, it’s aimed at those at (or nearly at) Grade 6 all the way through diploma level, aged roughly from 14-22. Like their Summer School, there will be plenty of intense study but also lots of fun and friendship, with a wonderful team of tutors and support staff. Click here to read more and find application forms.

My fellow organ enthusiasts may be pleased to know that my biography of ‘Geoffrey Tristram,  a very British Organist’, will be launched at an organ recital at Christchurch Priory on Thursday 4th August at 17.30. The book will be on sale at that event and those copies will include some previously unheard pieces from old reel to reel recordings of GOT recitals.

For those not local to Christchurch, the book will also be available from Amazon in hard, soft and e-copy. It would be lovely to see you there if you are local to Christchurch, myself and Geoffrey Tristram’s family would be delighted to welcome you.

The festival is to be held in Selby Abbey on Saturday 8^th October, 2022, by kind permission of the Rector and Abbey Wardens.

Oliver Waterer will be the Musical Director and Tom Moore will play the Organ.

Further information is available here, including the schedule for the day.

Booking and safeguarding information will be available on the York Area RSCM website.

Please click here for further information and the role description.