Just in case anyone is interested, I have just been reminded that Harrisons will be holding an open day this Saturday, 4th July from 10am - 2.30pm.

They say "The new 63 stop organ for Cirencester Parish Church will be standing in the workshop. And there will be much else to be seen."

Please see Harrisons Website for further information.

SB

Isn't this the same topic you posted on 10th June?!

Oh my goodness; so I did.

I had completely forgotten about it until I was reminded this morning, so I thought I would put up a post.

I don't know whether to blame old age, the heat, stress, or all of these added together.

I will ask to see if the thread can be deleted.

SB

It's almost impossible to delete a thread, as I found when I posted my wedding music topic twice.
Why does it have to be so hard? Especially when it is your own thread!

I am beginning to see what you mean. It took several attempts to find a moderator whose account was not closed, blocked or their mailbox full.

I suppose there is no harm done, but if this was a malicious thread I would want to know that I could get it deleted PDQ.

SB

Regardless of whether this thread is legitimate or not, Tosher and I attended the event and found it most informative. The Cirencester organ was beastly. It seemed like a pleasant environment - such a light and airy factory.

Wasn't it just? The whole place was fascinating, especially the voicing room, and seeing the pipe metal being drawn down into sheet form. The workforce was all very friendly and fascinating to talk to, and clearly took great pleasure from their work. For me it was wonderful to see such skill and craft still being practiced in our own country when everything else is so mass produced. Well done Harrisons and long may you continue!

SB

Indeed it was! The craftsmen were delighted to discuss their work with tourists and anoraks alike. The main man was very friendly too. They're all clearly passionate about their work and achieve a very high standard. The factory is deceptively spacious - it looked like a small office block from the outside!

If anyone is interested, Harrisons have posted a series of photographs from the open day on their website. Harrisons Open Day Photographs.

These can be opened as high resolution images if required.

SB

Thanks SB - good photos, and I think part of my right shoulder has actually made it into one of them! What a crewage. Everyone looks suitably enthused by the pipes, soundboards, refreshments etc.

Nice photos. mwl1 - you must have been the youngest there by at least 30 years. What is it about organs that brings out the elderly ex-trainspotting audience?...

I know - I reflected upon the state of affairs of the vintage population present. I had a friend with me of a similar age, but we stuck out like a Trompette en Chamade. Such a pity. I think I was wearing the only pair of jeans in the building. When I started with organs, I hoped that my hip 'n' happening presence in the industry would attract young disciples, but alas it was not to be...

Is that you in the grey sweatpants, mwl1?

It's good to see a business working well and full of people who love it. You can look at the pictures and smell the metal and the Murraymints.

Is that a favoured fragrance of yours, mel?

I don't think so!

Crafty of them to have kept out of the photos the Page 3 tear-outs that decorated the walls. I guess organs are the order of the day in such a workforce...

No - it's just a whiff that generally surrounds grey-haired gents in short sleeved shirts. (And I'm generally surrounded by dozens of 'em daily.)

Do I detect a hint of ageism creeping into this thread?

I must say, I have noticed that since passing a certain birthday two years ago the invitations dropping through my letterbox to take out loans and life insurance seem to have given way to letters about funeral plans and mobility scooters.

Are they trying to tell me something I wonder?

SB

Yes.

I thought so.

Going back to mwl1's comments [regarding the 'vintage age' of those present at the H&H open day], it seems that most youngsters these days regard playing the organ as seriously uncool, even though few have actually tried it, or even listened to the instrument properly. (Maybe this is the result of too many TV comedies involving churches and organs?)

I distinctly remember when Junior was 'outed' as an organist at School around a year ago, which caused us more than a few problems. He was due to play a short recital at church as part of a fund raising day, and a group of his friends came along to have a listen. I think they all thought it was a bit of a laugh at first, and 'deffo uncool', so he invited three of them up into the organ loft, which is right at the front of the instrument. Anyhow, fifteen minutes and one Bach T&F later they stumbled down the steps from the organ loft looking completely shell shocked and strangely quiet.

SB

I think it takes until late teens for people to get into digital synthesis. And a few get into Prog. And then they start thinking about Hammond organs. Or it occurs to them that church organs are like the synthesisers of their day. And by then they probably don't have time to learn to play one...

I don't think its organ playing that is uncool, so much as being in a church. I also don't this it'd ever occur to many young people to learn.

At least in 20 years time you'll guaranteed a job Matthew, when all the older organists have... retired/died.

Sadly, in my experience, far too many older organists seem to like blocking the way for youngsters wanting to follow in their footsteps. (The term 'job protection' comes to mind.)

I do sometimes wonder whether some of these characters actually care that there won't be anyone to play the organ for their funerals.

SB

Good point!

I have forbidden the use of the organ at my funeral. I have requested the organs be clad - in the French Style - in black cloth and for all music to be unaccompanied.

Indeed, and especially in this day and age where it's largely the done thing to be anti-church and spit feathers at the mere calling to mind of the institution, spending time in the church seems to be something that many people feel they have to keep very quiet about lest they be ridiculed by their peers. I'm not cool in the mainstream sense of the word by any stretch of the imagination, but I think having quirky hobbies can give one one's own brand of kewlness. At least, that's what I tell myself! I don't ever make a point of hiding my organ () / church activity, though I sometimes find it tedious when people think it's all I ever do. I end up believing them!



'Job protection' does seem to be something subscribed to by a certain breed. I would certainly never discourage anyone interested in the organ, and have always summoned souls who've registered an interest to hammer out a tune on the beast post service.



I think the instrument needs more publicity. I'd never really have thought to learn the instrument until someone took me to see one, and from then I was hooked. I can't be the only pianist to have had this enthusiast potential, can I? I played for services for possibly the best part of a year before I started bringing my feet into the equation, and I managed to fool everyone and enhance their worship. To be honest, rightly or wrongly, the main factor that prompted me to start doing this on a regular basis was the prospect of receiving payment. Ironically, this didn't happen for a while owing to the nature of the church I was playing at, but when things started to take off I started to make money, and a service at church pays a lot more than an hour working in a supermarket. Surely this could persuade more pianists of my age to take up the organ?!

I agree: but I think we need a completely different attitude to the organ (and to churches in general). There seems to be a certain 'stuffiness' about the organ that doesn't afflict other instruments; yet far too many organs suffer from lack of use, and far too many churches cannot even get anyone to play their organs for regular services!

Admittedly, the people at many smaller churches (often with uninspiring organs) don't usually mind someone 'having a go'; although there is a very real danger that anyone who can play with more than two fingers at the same time will find themselves with a regular job.

However, the organists (and PCC's) at some of the bigger and better off churches seem to have a real problem allowing anyone else near the organ 'in case they break something' or worse still, play a wrong note in public.

In many cases this seems to be down to the sheer pomposity of some older organists, who take the view that nobody else can possibly play their 3M H&H properly; although in fairness, I know of one or two much younger organists who are equally full of themselves, and equally dismissive of anyone who fails to meet their own, self proclaimed high standards.

Having said all of that, (and having taken Junior to the Oundle course earlier this year), I do know that there is a core of keen young organists in this country, some of whom have exceptional ability by any standards. What a tragedy it would be if any this talent were to be lost.

Maybe it would be easiest, and best, for our organ playing revolution to start at the very top, by organising organ days at cathedrals and at town halls up and down the country. Not only would this provide a brilliant inspiration for anyone with the ability to play such an instrument; it would also set a precedent for those churches with fine organs who are presently reluctant to allow less experienced players into the organ loft.

(In fairness, I should add that our own PCC is very supportive in this regard; which is why there is never a shortage of organists available to play at any of our services).

SB