OrganistOnTheHill

Looks beautiful and elegant!

I am a cellist myself. I can thoroughly agree on that.

Dear everyone, I am a believer of quality over quantity (although quantity matters but I think you know what I am trying to say). What things can I do to improve my practicing regime? What should I include in my daily practices? With thanks, Organistonthehill

Does it require any repair or restoration?

I am learning organ at a school. I would like to see the RCO diplomas as a long term goal. I am currently practicing Toccata Primi Toni by Sark and Nun danket alle Gott by Karg-Elert in preparations for my Grade 8 ABRSM exam. I have seen through the videos on iRCO.

How would one prepare for a CRCO or ARCO tests (written papers, chorale, counterpoint and completing SATB score) that the candidates require excluding the repertoire playing?

I shall have a listen to the broadcast. Thank you for suggesting it.

I am looking to purchase Patrick Gower's Toccata & Fugue composed in the late 70s? The RSCM Music Direct seems to have sold all copies. Where could I buy the organ part?

Goodness me. That is not nice......

I don't want to start a list here but I think it would be nice to have a thread containing your experiences with a particular pipe organ in the UK. It would be nice to know the amount of manuals, maker, where the instrument is located, your experience with it and possibly even an image! My list: J.Walker LTD Organ (Built. circa 1920) A three manual J.Walker Organ built in the early 1900s. The school chapel used to house a Willis until the 1900s. Then replaced by a Lewis and again replaced with a Walker. It is a great organ to play and I have my lessons/practice there. Lewis & Co Organ (Circa. 1920?, Restored in the 1990s) The nearby parish church has a Lewis & Co organ which I go during the weekends to practice on. The Walker is a better instrument because I prefer the structure/feel of the pedal-board. But the Lewis is a great instrument as well. There is a 4 Manual Harrison & Harrison in the Speech Room but it is hard to access it.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has helped in restoring many major and historic organs in the UK, including the possibly the oldest organ in the UK at ST Botolphs without Aldgate. I think the Heritage Lottery Fund is the only way to get these beautiful organs restored to their former glory.

Does anyone know of any cathedrals or churches in London that let organists practice for free or for a small fee?

Martin Owen, our school has the Walker* organ in the chapel and a nearby parish church has a Lewis & Co organ. The school has a Harrison & Harrison in the Speech room which is quite hard to access. The school is Harrow. Sorry, my mistake. The Willis organ stood until the early 1900s and was transferred to East Greenwich Baptist Church. Then replaced by a Lewis and again replaced by a Walker organ.

Thank you for the helpful suggestions Vox Humana and Martin Cooke. Would you recommend any voluntaries or short pieces for the entry/exit of the congregation?

Hello everyone, I am a beginner organist at a school (very fortunate enough to have an access to a Willis & Co Organ and a Lewis & Co Organ!) and I am preparing towards my first school chapel service as a organist. (We have two short morning prayers in a week). I need least two pieces, first piece for the entry of the congregation and clergies and a second piece for the exit of clergies and the congregation. I also have to prepare a hymn, which I would like some advice on tackling on practicing. I was around Grade 7 on piano and stopped for a couple of years. I fiddled around on the piano since last year and got better enough to reach the approval from the director of music to take up the organ. I am working on Bach's 'Es ist das heils uns kommen her' at the moment. 1. May I have some tips on tackling a hymn? Transposing, volume (selecting proper stops for a hymn and the volume) and etc. 2. Suggestions of quite easy manual only organ voluntaries or pieces that are suitable for exit/entry for chapel. (Or maybe very simple pedalling?) 3. Other tips on leading the congregation and tips of being an organist in a chapel service. Thank you!

Thank you for the kind replies!

Hello everyone, I recently started organ lessons and want to work up to CAM exams by RCO, Grade exams from ABRSM and hopefully achieve FRCO in the future. I also putting my goal as doing my gap year at a cathedral as an organ scholar. Are there any tips on improving as an organist? Practice tips and also may I ask some tips on pedalling technique.