peter ellis

Photo from a council website. Pipes look lovely. Great building too.

There’s a thought - a lovely man.

Thanks for trying.

I commented on Lebrecht’s article on X (formerly twitter). It mentioned no organ to be left at Huddersfield but surely there is the one at St. Paul’s Hall. There are town centre organs too - Parish Church for example.

Hello David - might you be the same David Dewar who preceded me at All Saints, Kings Heath?

Very kind all of you - Hebridean I dare say I'll know some of your members. I was organist at West Vale baptist 1988-1994 and had my lessons at St. Paul, King Cross. I also did a bit of playing for the local methodist circuit. I was six when St John's closed - terrible shame as it seemed to be a much better building than the Greetland parish it was merged with. I think it's always bugged me because I played it - just too young to remember a thing. West Vale had five churches - four with organs - now all gone.

So - twelve years later I'll try again - there is nothing on NPOR and I wouldn't know where to start. In my mind the instrument was huge but I was only 6. I was also organist of the Baptist Church opposite - now also closed but that did make it onto the record NPOR | R00852

Managed to get there on 01 Jan this year - had to wait for someone in front of me to finish and someone followed behind. I'll spare you the video but here is the visual proof.

Anthony Grey - who I do not know, but has taken over the Halifax Choral Society and therefore can do no wrong - has produced this fantastic work. https://youtu.be/TB8ZVx3gIrY?si=qLQ-I97DtIQi08TS There is a similar Australian work by Graham Koehne - it's also a fabulous work for string orchestra. https://youtu.be/xKD2dLSnnx8?si=Km_yv9pe0GonoLTw Never pastiche.

Glad you're not completely averse to digitals - here in Australia we have a few concert halls without pipes and often my choice is no organ at all or hire in a digital. I've brought in digitals, the public and performers loved it and hundreds of people get to experience the instrument. The pipe police who have complained to me after the performance are yet to offer a solution of where to find the money to buy a "real one".

I woke up so much I put myself back on the local dep organists list. If Martin had been any more forceful I'd probably be recording the complete Bach this time next week.

I'm back (after 12 years it seems) - does that help?

Halifax Minster seems to be going from strength to strength in many areas of its ministry. Of particular note to those in the organ community is this Halifax Organ Academy Hope I got the link right - if not paste this into your url http://www.halifaxminster.org.uk/index.php...n/organ-academy

Hi all The Parish church in my home village of West Vale (just outside Halifax) closed in 1982. I was 6 at the time and the kind old organist of the church let me have a go on the instrument the week it closed. I recall it being very large but then again I was 6. All I know of the instrument is that it was dismantled and I believe some of the pipework reused. I have no idea of the builder. I'm in Australia now so I don't have as much access to historical records as I would like. I was wondering if anyone out there has by any slim chance a specification for the instrument or any information/pictures. Thanks Peter

For me movability is the biggest issue. You need to be able to fix them in position in more than one way for choral work, but be able to move them away without too much issue. Lockable wheels works. I quite enjoy having the back row a little higher - it seems to work better musically too.

Hi all I can't believe it's eighteen months since I posted anything. As I'm stuck in Australia and I can't access certain content on BBC iplayer I missed the BBC live broadcast for Pentecost Sunday from Halifax Minster. Did anyone watch and how did that beautiful organ sound? More importantly did anyone do a sneaky record they're planning to stick on you tube? I also believe the BBC killed two birds with one stone and recorded several Songs of Praise episodes whilst there. Hopefully we'll get that by 2015! Again I can't believe it's been so long since I posted. Hopefully soon I'll have some pictures of the exciting new organ going into my home church of St. Luke's, Mosman. I will soon have a toaster no more Regards all

Were I in charge of TV graphics I've always been tempted to add after Howard Goodall's Organ Works..........."something which is of great comfort to him"

If it's a school that doesn't require liturgical versatility or a specialist instrument for a particular genre then I think your task may be a little easier. It may be possible to find a redundant organ that would work well without the need to make many (if any at all) tonal additions. I'd still counsel the school to get either a reputable organ builder (or competent amateur with a track record of good work) to do the installation. The school I teach at, which is a Catholic foundation with a large chapel, had a two manual Norman and Beard donated five years ago but it spent four years in crates while money was found for additions and installation. I can't publicly name the college but I'm happy to send you a link in a PM. Strangely enough I was looking up the village organ I started my playing on the other day. Look on the NPOR - West Vale Baptist Church - I get the feeling they'd give it to you if you volunteered to take it off their hands.

I don't know if any of you are aware but on Sunday November 22nd, Halifax Parish Church becomes Halifax Minster. While it doesn't quite right the historical mistake of putting the diocesan cathedral in Wakefield, it certainly does seem to be part of a wider effort to raise the profile of this beautiful church. http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/bradford/hi/pe...000/8362310.stm

You were overtaken by a vintage truck with an organ on the back!!! I'm assuming you were walking

If you type my name into Australian google, the two that interest me are the harmonica player and the convicted New Zealand sex offender. Other than that there is the guy who used to play Brownlow on "The Bill" who if memory serves could turn his hand to a mean Gilbert and Sullivan. Pretty paltry really.

I agree - some organ - any of you planning on visiting Sydney, if you get in touch with the Town Hall far enough in advance they're very accomodating. For those already here Kurt Ison (he of the above clip) is giving a recital on Wednesday 22nd august at 1.15pm at St, James', cnr King/Phillip Streets, Sydney. Following the recital, pre choir practice lunch/drinks will take place at the Buena Vista Cafe, 14th Floor of NSW Supreme Court. All welcome.

For some reason it was easier when I woke up this morning? Thank you both for suggestions. ps: Mr Cynic - you may be the owner of the least applicable alias - would that more cynics were like you

I am diligently pacticing this piece, which I love, but it does not seem to be becoming any easier under the fingers. Anyone else had trouble with this piece?

Whoops - sorry about that. I had to order mine from Novello especially - it's illegal but I'm happy to scan you a copy for educational purposes only until yours arrives. I've become rather fond of it of late.