Martin Cooke

Ah, yes, of course, S_L. I certainly should have remembered the first two. I don't think I knew about Kilburn.

St John the Divine, Kennington.

A few years ago, I started a list of current major organ projects (like York, Norwich, Magdalen Oxford etc) but things have moved on. Could we possibly try to list new projects that have either been announced without further detail, or which have been fully announced, as it were, or have been started. So, to get the ball rolling with my own perspective on where we're at... St John's Cambridge - announced on H&H some time ago but no detail - work has begun in the workshop - new owner of old Mander organ announced. Wells Cathedral - project seeking funding - some detail announced to include 32fts + trumpets Gloucester Cathedral - project fully announced with detail on Nicholson's website Charterhouse School - new Nicholson organ announced a while ago but no detail Eton College, Rugby School and Marlborough College all have refurb work going on or in the offing Leeds and Manchester Town Halls both have ongoing major work Devizes Parish Church - Lance Foy currently installing redundant organ from a Plymouth church - replacing a digital organ Christ Church, Oxford - new chancel organ + practice organ(?) announced St Andrew's, Plymouth - rebuild currently underway with Bishops What else is happening?

Gosh - what a player! Have a listen to the Jonathan Dove piece at the beginning of the Truro recital on JO's website - very exciting! Exciting times at St Paul's with not just a new organist team but the start of the new girls' choir coming up in a year's time. Looking ahead a bit, there are some anniveraries to celebrate at St Paul's soon. 2027 will mark 50 years since the completion of the Mander rebuild with the Royal Trumpets, new dome chorus, North Choir division etc. 2030 will mark 100 years since the Trompette Militaire was installed in 1930, and 70 years since the Contra Bombarde was put in in 1960. It would be tremendous to see them commission some new organ music to celebrate these milestones.

If you don't follow news of appointments etc elsewhere... according to Slipped Disc... Oliver Morrell, Organ Scholar at St Albans, is going with Andrew Lucas to Winchester as a Sub Organist; Tom Winpenny has announced that he is also leaving St Albans at the end of August.

I missed it.

Jeremy Lloyd is going to Ely as ADoM.

Well said, Positif, re AN's intro to the post. It is so good to see him endorse his colleagues with such graceful warmth - I am sure that they appreciate it very much.

A very interesting thread, this - many thanks.

St Paul's is now looking for its new (senior) Organist in succession to Will Fox who was Acting Organist, and the Abbey is seeking their new Sub Organist, in succession to Peter Holder, though on a little more salary than the St Paul's post. Two interesting appointments and well worth reading Andrew Nethsingha's delightful letter of welcome in the candidate pack at WA in which he expresses such warm appreciation of all around him with whom he has worked, and of respect for his predecessor, James O'D. The St Paul's pack details some of the new choral pattern to start in 2025 with new sung 8.00am Eucharists and two equal boys and girls choirs + the intention to institute a new post of Assistant Diorector of Music. What exciting places these are!

Has anyone caught wind yet of what the plan is at St Paul's in terms of the top organists/s posts? William Fox was originally appointed Sub-Organist under Andrew Carwood and Simon Johnson, and then, upon the latter's departure for Westminster Cathedral, he was appointed Acting Organist and Assistant Director of Music. Now he is moving to St Albans as DoM that leaves two vacancies - Organist and Assistant DoM + Sub Organist. I realise that they are not short of organists at St Paul's, at least, not at the moment. In addition to two top level 'outreach/education' people who replaced Tom Daggett, Martin Ford has been playing there as Acting Sub-Organist and there is an FRCO Organ Scholar. I haven't seen any announcements or advertisements and it's some while now since WF's appointment to St Albans was announced. Elsewhere... Presumably Claudia Grinnell's post at Winchester will be re-filled. Are there other significant vacancies or posts to fill?

Brilliant. Thank you so much, SlowOrg. Truly scrumptious - and I really should have known it.

This little demo film of the Christ Church Rieger is worth watching but what is the piece played on the fonds at 6.30? Many thanks!

Ah yes - thanks Rowland - I even contributed to it. And, you're correct, of course - Henry IV. As I said in the previous thread, he tried to sell me one of these. Would still be interested in knowing what became of the original organ.

An article in Country Life this week with a photo of St Martin's church by Lutyens caused me to look things up on NPOR. A 3-manual Father Willis house organ was installed in 1947 but this was replaced in the 60s by one of those Christmas tree, spiralling instruments of HWIII. It's hard to imagine this was an improvement, musically. Does anybody on here happen to know anything behind this and what happened to the FW.