OmegaConsort

Thanks Phil. They all look a bit Advent-y to me!!! Richard

I am taking my choir to St Albans Abbey for Epiphany Sunday (Eucharist and Evensong) and I know any day now, the Precentor is going to be asking for my music list! Any ideas anyone (rehearsal on the day only - choir is from all over the place / good sight readers / reasonable balance / around 30 singers). All I have so far in my mind is perhaps Mendelssohn There shall a star for Evensong anthem, and maybe something like Darke in F for Euch setting (simple but effective). I need some inspiration! Thanks for your suggestions..... Richard

The Cambridge Singers never give live concerts. I wonder why. Barry Williams Not true Barry. They have given a number of concerts over the years; admittedly not many, but certainly very much "live" and the performances are as good in concert as on the CDs. Best wishes Richard

It has to be Salisbury really - no comparison! Richard

Thanks to those who responded to this - I now only need one more Soprano! This discussion board is simply brilliant - a fact often echoed by many users - and reiterated now by me! Richard

I dont suppose they would; to them an organ is an organ whether it has pipes or not, but I suspect, as already mentioned if it were a CofE building, faculties would no doubt be required. Dont quite understand the "sadly" bit myself. If it is a fine organ, of historical value, or artistic merit then of course it should be rebuilt. If it is of poor quality, then why throw good money after it? Either replace with a 2nd-hand good pipe organ (from eBay perhaps!) or a decent digital organ (as per Lee Blick's comments). Each case surely should be judged individually. Before things like organs are sorted, I hope things like homes, electricity and water are sorted for the poor people who have been so affected by all of this. And, what of the wildlife - not read or heard anything about how livestock fared throughout all of this - and what about the rabbits??? Richard Harrison

I have already asked Mr Mander if it ok for me to use the forum for this, and he was fine about it, so no apology needed except to you fellow posters/readers - sorry for the indulgence! I am taking my choir to sing in Gloucester Cathedral (weather permitting) at the end of August (23rd to 26th incl). We are staying in Cheltenham at Dean Close School. We have been doing this sort of thing for years, but for the first time I find myself short of around 3 sopranos. If any of you are one, or know of a good sop (excellent sight reading skills, non-wobbly voice(!) and who likes a pint or two) please get in touch, or put me in touch with them. Accommodation, breakfasts and two dinners are included in the £70 cost - what a bargain! Music is interesting as well. Best wishes Richard Harrison

I have just "happened" upon an interesting site - for those of you who might like to take a look, it is http://www.ondamar.demon.co.uk/schemes/elec/index.htm - it lists in great detail some early and very large pipeless organs such as the compton in the Festival Hall (pre-Harrison) and Carlo Curley's monster Allen organ which was used in the Alexandra Palace for those amazing gala concerts (I remember 300+ people stamping their feet to the Gigue fugue!!). At the bottom of the really wierd specification for this instrument, it says it is now in "private ownership in the South of England". Does anyone know where it is? Also, I mentioned the RFH Compton organ - that was news to me; I'd always assumed that before the H&H there wasn't an organ! What happened to the Compton? Does anyone know? Best wishes Richard Harrison

I think it would be courteous for the organist to be notified if guest organists are to be playing for a wedding service at his church. In addition, the incumbant organist should be entitled to the organist fee. Well, that is how I have come to expect over the years. Or is this wrong nowadays? Funnily enough, I have just come back from the midlands (10 mins ago) where I took my choir, and my own organist for a wedding - we were booked for this. I made it clear to the Vicar of the church that part of our terms were, that the resident organist should know about this, and be offered his usual fee whether or not he set foot in the place - this fee should be paid by the wedding couple on top of fees due to us. I think Lee has it in a nutshell....and if I heard that an organist was coming to play for a wedding in my church and I (a) didn't know about it and ( hadn't been offered a fee, I would certainly consider disabling the organ, but would probably not and end up fuming in silence through not wanting to spoil the bride's day!!! Richard

I notice that the Cirencester organ is to be rebuilt and enlarged to 4 manuals and 60+ stops by Harrison's this year. I just looked at the planned specification on their website - new stops are marked with an asterisk. On the solo, there is a new Tuba and, it seems a new chamade. I wonder whether this is a mistake or if they are replacing the existing royal trumpet rank? Anyone know? Best wishes Richard

One that has always eluded me is Durham Cathedral. I've been trying for years and haven't even been allowed to see the console. I dont know whether this would work or not............One of the men in the choir there is a very good friend of mine. He has been there a few years, and if he were to have a quiet word with JL, maybe, just maybe you might get a go?? Richard

Hope this isnt already covered - if so, my apologies! There is a brilliant and catchy tune (IMHO) doing the rounds - I think it is a bunch of Cambridge Choral Scholars taking the micky out of FaceBook.com... Take a look at this link to it: FaceBook Song Around half way through you will see an organist and a page turner - it looks like St John's organ to me. Rumour has it that there are almost enough downloads from iTunes for it to enter the pop charts!!! Best wishes Richard

"It would appear that a large number of people 'watch' this site, and often search for over-emotional posts from some contributors speaking their mind as ammunition in trying to trip them up, and sending a random copy to churchwardens or even vicars. " ****************** "I think those that start posts like this enjoy sitting back and watching the fireworks as members respond, " Just how do you come by that statement Hector? I can't imagine that this happens on this site! And with regards to the second comment, eventhough Lee blick does often add very colourful posts which, whether you agree with them or not, certainly add a frision to the case in point (!) I don't think that he can be accused of what you are intimating with regards to this particular post...........I thought it was an excellent idea so long as names and places were kept out of it. We all have our stories, and whilst I haven't (yet) added my two, this is the perfect place to air them. Lastly, I dont think it is a good idea to close the board unless you are a subscriber - I too joined after many visits reading what others were saying about things and by making it private we certainly would be taking a backwards step - we should just be mindful to think before we comment. Richard

Completely agree! I remember getting hold of the first Hyperion CD of Psalms from St Pauls and listening in such disbelief that I ordered the psalter! I would certainly not have purchased any of the following CDs, but unfortunately, someone gave me the entire set (shortly to go on eBay methinks!)

The thing that made it so awesome was a totally unexpected key shift in the Allelulias section - assuming the hymn is in G, normally the chord under the first Allelulia would be D major. The one I'm after had something like a chord of F major at this point. Hi Tim, I reckon it is one by Martin How......as far as I am aware there is no written descant to go with it, but it is so splendid, it doesn't need one! I am not a big fan of last verse arrangements, but this one is just tops! The chap who introduced it to me is often lurking on the Mander board - if he picks up on this, he may well reply and confirm Martin How as the composer and also if it is still in print. Best wishes Richard

Along time ago now..........it was Wesley Blessed be, the funny chords before Love one another and after the treble solo, and I what I had set up on the choir was perfect for it, except right at the top of the stop jamb, Great Reeds on Choir was drawn, and of course I didn't notice. I dont think I will ever forget the comments in the pub afterwards.....the reaction of the conductor at the time paled into insignificance!

On Saturday I conducted two choirs who came together for a tenor getting married - it was a splendid affair; Wood in F Mag, My Beloved Spake, Blessed be the God and Father, Set me as a Seal, and I sat down under His shadow, plus some great hymns, including O thou who camest from above. The organist played it in Eb major - his justification was "consider the congregation" which is reasonable as there is a top F in it, if played in the original key. But to me, in the service, the hymn seemed so dull and colourless. What would you have done (assuming there was a choir of 40+ singers and a congregation of 100 or so)? Other hymns that spring to mind set originally in high keys are Lord enthroned (St Helen), All Glory Laud and honour (St Theodulph), Breath on me (Carlisle) and Praise the Lord ye heavens adore him (Austria). For me, I'd go for the original higher key!

As always, sorry if this has already been covered.... Does anyone know the approximate costs for the electricity consumed by an organ....the one I am thinking of is a small two manual in my local church - around 14 stops, detatched EP action console. It is used for perhaps 3 hours per week. Tuning and maintanance costs are easy to add up, but this is not so easy! Any help or comments much appreciated

It was much louder on the whole than I found Liverpool Cathedral to be at a recent concert. Which Cathedral - RC or Anglican? For me, the reason why this instrument sounds so big and bold in the nave is due to it's position; flat against the East end walls on North and South and all speaking West with a soundboard (for want of a better word) behind it which also helps direct the tone. I can't think of another British Cathedral where this is the case?? There are also no transepts and aisles for the sound to get lost in. I love the sound this organ makes - it is quite thrilling and sounds good both live and on recordings. I have never heard it in an accompanimental role though and imagine it is not so easy as the pipework is relatively remote from the stalls and further still from the congregation (this is where the more traditional positioning of organs above the stalls work well). Richard

Another 2 manual with a 32 reed in Liverpool is of course in the lady chapel at the cathedral; added in the 1990's I think and I suspect small scale? Dont know whether this is excess, indigestion or out of keeping with the original concept as I have not heard the organ since those most recent additions.

Silly me! Of course. Thanks

I thought that HDW was pretty well spot-on, Forgive my ignorance, I didnt see the programme; who is HDW?

historic organs are listed and protected not the case in UK) and we have decent food and drink and our women - in general - pay attention to their appearance!!. Goodness me! Obviously hit a raw nerve there didn't we! Sorry to be frivolous but really! Most of us love France, the way of life, the organs, the people, the food and of course the wine.....When I visit, (not often enough) and start trying to speak in the native tongue, I am nearly always answered in English, so then give up trying very hard to speak French! Perhaps back to the topic now??? just off to open a wonderful Australian merlot to go with my dutch cheese.............

["...there are three empty spaces..." Actually, only two (unless you count where the console used to be, as the South Transept case is very much still with us, though inoperative at present. I was counting the console as the third space! Well spotted though! Richard

"I could go on... but I would much rather look forward. A" Yes please............let's......... It is gone - there are three empty spaces...I wonder what can be achieved by turning over the soil again? I say this with humbleness as I am not the most regular of "post-ers" (ugh sorry) on the board. Best wishes Richard