Mark Taylor Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 By profession, I am a civil servant in the Department of Health. As an organist, I am more of an enthusiast than a player. I occasionally play for a service - but only if there isn’t a musician available. I started learning the organ as a teenager in the early 1970s. My first lessons were with George Mortimer of Minehead in Somerset (see my web site). Sadly, after about a year George Mortimer died suddenly of a heart attack. I then learnt with Arthur Temple until I left Somerset in 1976 to go to London to take a degree in geography. From a practical point of view, I’m sure I was a huge disappointment to Mr Temple who was an accomplished player, composer (and teacher). By the time I stopped formal lessons my only qualification was grade VIII theory. At present, I am amusing myself with Dupre’s 79 chorale preludes, the simpler orgelbuchlein CPs and with Reger’s Op.135a. It has taken me weeks to get anywhere with BWV639, which I didn’t mind too much when I thought it was grade VI standard; but it has really depressed me to find it on the grade V syllabus! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrew Butler Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 Sorry - too idle to insert NPOR URL's, but with exception of those marked *, all are on the NPOR. (Perhaps someone could rectify those situations? They are not there simply because i cannot remember the details!) Born Liverpool 1956. Father was a Unitarian minister, at Gateacre Chapel, and Hope Street Church (* - long-demolished. had a 3-man I believe.) 1961, dad moved to Dean Row Chapel, Wilmslow and Norcliffe Chapel, Styal (* had 2-man F & A. Now Phoenix electronic) Played 1st service aged 10 at Dean Row. Had organ lesons at Styal Methodist Church. 1966 dad moved to Bristol; Lewins Mead Chapel and Oakfield Road Church. I became organist at the latter aged 14, and unofficial assistant at the former - spec looks odd on paper, esp the Great, but had a wonderful sound in that big building. Left school and went to work for British Rail in Reading 1974 dad moved to Kent - Tenterden Old meeting House, and Northiam Chapel (actually in E Sussex - harmonium there). Soon appointed Organist at both churches. Working at Ashford Railway Works during this time. Having been made redundant, studied music properly! Dad retired and moved back to Bristol in 1983. I went too, resuming my old post at Oakfield Road and deputy at Lewins Mead, and also playing from time to time at Frenchay Chapel. Also Organist at St George Baptist Church, and deputy at Hanham Methodist and Trowbridge Conigre Chapel (* old building, now demolished, had 2-man with divided case in w.gallery. Married disastrously during this time - lasted 3 months! Moved back to Kent 1987 and married an old (in the sense of having known her for a long time) friend, by then divorced with 3 children. Still together! Became Organist at Rolvenden PC then Hawkhurst, St Laurence and All Saints (now closed - fantastic little Father Willis, now in a new home in Oxfordshire) Taught music for a while at Homewood School, Tenterden. Now Organist at St Andrew's RC, Tenterden, co-organist at Unitarian chapel, and play once a month for Evensong at Woodchurch PC, and also at Smarden PC. Thursdays at Thanet Crematorium, and as required at Hastings Crem. Also, here there and everywhere for funerals and weddings (becoming rarer - had 1 this year! )Have private piano teaching practice, teaching at home and in 2 local primary schools. (Thought of applying for full-time post at Gloucester Crem - now glad I didn't, thanks to some input from another forum member!!) Spend school holidays in the Charente region of France where we have a small property, and play most Sundays at Eglise St Pierre in Chabanais (2-man Allen) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted September 3, 2006 Share Posted September 3, 2006 Andrew Chadney, currently organist at St Stephen's, Norbury with Thornton Heath, London SW16. Like some previous contributors I learnt organ and piano at school and have had a rekindling of interest since hitting 30 (I'm now 46) and have lessons with Gerard Brooks. I've also been in the fire service for the last 24 years and have yet to meet a fellow firefighting organist. Does anyone on this board know of any others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrew Butler Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 have had a rekindling of interest ..........I've also been in the fire service for the last 24 years <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusingMuso Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ===================== Which reminds me of the memorable wedding, during which the Methodist Minister suggested that "the flames of love grow dull and we are left with the mere glowing embers, and what is needed is a good poke every so often to revive the flames". I know one shouldn't laugh, but........... MM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Allison Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 I did not use a screen name, I forgot to make one up at the time , sorry As my description says on my profile, I live in Easingwold, North Yorkshire, and have a butchers and delli in the port town of Goole, and for my sins, listen to a fair bit of organ music either on cd or live at various venues in yorkshire. I also have a good friend in mr David Rogers of doncaster who shows me the music I have not heard, in veues that have long since been changed or gone, and by organists who have gone on to play the celestial organ. thank goodness for the old spool tapes and cassetes. I seem to the only non organist here oh well never mind Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted September 12, 2006 Share Posted September 12, 2006 I've also been in the fire service for the last 24 years <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ..which came in handy on Sunday morning when the blower motor burnt out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest drd Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 drd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redeye Posted October 1, 2006 Share Posted October 1, 2006 I am Andrew Patton and a keen photographer as well as organ nut.(ie red-eye) Age 55, married with two high-teen sons. Sang in a number of Choirs, and (quite a few years ago) was a junior console assistant to Anthony Norcliffe when he was at St Bartholemews church Armley, Leeds (Schulze). Lived for four years in Beverley and was so impressed by the Minster organ there, I intend to retire back there in five years. I dont play at a church, just (badly) at home! Whatever happened to the suggested meet / gathering? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Clark Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 I should have done this last week I suppose but hadn't seen this thread. Peter Clark,organist and choirmaster St Peter's Roath Cardiff, where the new Spaeth organ has just been installed. I started the piano at 6 and the organ at 12 (my school had its own instrument) and later studied with Harry Bramma at Southwark Cathedral. Went to Cardiff University where I read Theology and Religious Studies, getting a BA and an MPhil, and specialising in Zoroastrianism but continuing to play the organ throughout all this flurry of academic activity. I was a lecturer in Religious Studies (in Wolverhampton, Chester and Cardiff). Musically, I am pretty catholic - wasn't it Duke Ellington who said that "there are only two kinds of music - good and bad"? So my CD rack is home to Messiean, Bach, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Langlais, Frank Zappa, Beethoven, Chopin, Faure, Maxwell Davis, Spirogyra, Reginald Dixon, Berg.... I made a study of Langlais a few years ago, trying to catologue the many plainsong and plainchant themes he used in his organ works. I still possess a letter he wrote to me encouraging me in this. And of course as theology was part of my academic discipline, I find Messiean a particularly gratifying source of study. Regards to all.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest paul@trinitymusic.karoo.co.uk Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Thanks for this. I'm sure I speak for many when I say that I would love to sample the new organ you've just worked so hard to get. Obviously, I hope it works as well as it looks. Just checking, but you're not Peter E. Clark are you? As in, organist of one of the first Grant Degens and Bradbeer jobs in the late 60s, writing a number of articles for The Organ and most recently commissioning (and writing up) a vast electronic home organ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Roffensis Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Price Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 I’ve been organist to a largish Catholic parish in Norbury south London since 1969, and am now organist and DoM in the same parish. Nothing more than a reasonably competent parish musician, with a philosophy (that most will not agree with) of wanting to involve the people in choral singing regardless of the level of their musical talents – not always easy, but always rewarding. F.H. Browne & Sons organ installed in 1972, and enlarged and improved twice since – hugely valued partners throughout my tenure. Nothing like a good tune to keep everyone happy! Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Clark Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Thanks for this. I'm sure I speak for many when I say that I would love to sample the new organ you've just worked so hard to get. Obviously, I hope it works as well as it looks. Just checking, but you're not Peter E. Clark are you? As in, organist of one of the first Grant Degens and Bradbeer jobs in the late 60s, writing a number of articles for The Organ and most recently commissioning (and writing up) a vast electronic home organ? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Not I Paul: in the late 60s I had just started grammar school (and thus learning the organ)! Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Clark Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Andrew Chadney, currently organist at St Stephen's, Norbury with Thornton Heath, London SW16. Like some previous contributors I learnt organ and piano at school and have had a rekindling of interest since hitting 30 (I'm now 46) and have lessons with Gerard Brooks.I've also been in the fire service for the last 24 years and have yet to meet a fellow firefighting organist. Does anyone on this board know of any others? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Andrew, is it still the 2 manual Brindley & Foster? I played there for a year or so in the early 80s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest paul@trinitymusic.karoo.co.uk Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Not I Paul: in the late 60s I had just started grammar school (and thus learning the organ)! Peter <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks for this clarification. Sorry if this seemed rude! Don't get me wrong, we would have held out a similar welcome for Peter E Clark too! [More to argue about, perhaps. ] Since you've obviously found out how to free a seriously decent-sized chunk of money from a church treasurer and seen this intelligently spent, not only are congratulations in order, but you may well have advice/experience to pass on that many (including myself) would be glad to receive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcnd5584 Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Since you've obviously found out how to free a seriously decent-sized chunk of money from a church treasurer and seen this intelligently spent, not only are congratulations in order, but you may well have advice/experience to pass on that many (including myself) would be glad to receive. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes, I for one would be extremely grateful for any advice in this regard. (Did you have to become proficient with a cross-bow, in order to acheive the desired aim?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Andrew, is it still the 2 manual Brindley & Foster? I played there for a year or so in the early 80s. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It certainly is. If you feel the urge to play it again, let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Clark Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 Thanks for this clarification. Sorry if this seemed rude!Don't get me wrong, we would have held out a similar welcome for Peter E Clark too! [More to argue about, perhaps. ] Since you've obviously found out how to free a seriously decent-sized chunk of money from a church treasurer and seen this intelligently spent, not only are congratulations in order, but you may well have advice/experience to pass on that many (including myself) would be glad to receive. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Well actually we had to do no fund rasing at all as the organ was a gift from Lady Moira Hodge in memory of her late husband Sir Julian, the financiar and philanthropist. They were married in St Peter's, and though living in Jersey they always maintained an interest in the parish, and Cardiff in general. After Sir Julian died, Lady Hodge wanted a Requiem Mass celebrated at St Peter's which we did. She said that she wanted to have a memorial to her husband in the church and since the old organ (Shakell and Thompson 2 manual) was gettiong past it it was decided that a new instrument be installed. And thus it was. The parish however did have to fund the reinforcement work to the organ gallery. The only advice I can offer therefore is: seek out wealthy widows! Incidentally, we considered a number of options before hitting on Spaeth. We even looked at the possibility of a "combi" instrument and I was sent up to the midlands to hear Carlo Curley demonstrate a Collins/Allen organ which, to be fair, sounded as reasonable as an organ could in factory surroundings. But I think the Spaeth was the wiser choice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tribunegallery Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 Neil Shepherd - presently Organist and DofM at Standish Parish Church, Lancashire. Previously DofM at Cirencester Parish Church. Other past appointments include St. James, Daisy Hill (1984-9), St Thomas, St Annes on Sea (1989-94), St John Great Harwood (1994-8) and Keynsham Parish Church (1999 -1992). Interests include theatre-pipe organs, cathedral music and single malts! I had a career change recently and am now working in the travel industry based in Whalley, Lancashire, specialising in tailor made tours to the Baltics and Russia, as well as running a specialist music tours arm of the company. Not missing the hypocrisy and politics of large Anglican churches in the slightest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bourdon basher Posted November 3, 2006 Share Posted November 3, 2006 33 years old, attempting to run a small village church choir and play the organ somewhere on the Sussex/Surrey/Kent border. Can often be found filling in on various organ stools in the area. I also cover for my brother, forever known as MrBouffant on this and other fora. No formal training, but started singing when I was 8ish working my way through all four parts, sometimes more - I still wind up my choir by single treble/alto during practice. (I naturally sing Bass) Played piano, saw organ, made noise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJJ Posted November 4, 2006 Share Posted November 4, 2006 33 years old, attempting to run a small village church choir and play the organ somewhere on the Sussex/Surrey/Kent border. Can often be found filling in on various organ stools in the area. I also cover for my brother, forever known as MrBouffant on this and other fora. No formal training, but started singing when I was 8ish working my way through all four parts, sometimes more - I still wind up my choir by single treble/alto during practice. (I naturally sing Bass) Played piano, saw organ, made noise. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Are there any other 'family memberships' on this forum I wonder? AJJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrbouffant Posted November 4, 2006 Share Posted November 4, 2006 Are there any other 'family memberships' on this forum I wonder? AJJ <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yes, I am also Vox Humana's granddaughter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest paul@trinitymusic.karoo.co.uk Posted November 4, 2006 Share Posted November 4, 2006 Neil Shepherd - presently Organist and DofM at Standish Parish Church, Lancashire. Previously DofM at Cirencester Parish Church. Other past appointments include St. James, Daisy Hill (1984-9), St Thomas, St Annes on Sea (1989-94), St John Great Harwood (1994-8) and Keynsham Parish Church (1999 -1992). Not missing the hypocrisy and politics of large Anglican churches in the slightest! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I vividly remember past encounters with Cirencester Parish Church and some of its proudest and most intractable 'owners'. I'm sorry you did not last longer there, since things really picked up when you arrived. There's a sort of 'we know best' arrogance in those parts which I have not met much elsewhere. It's sad that, for whatever reason, the Ciren Church 'elite' seem to have eaten quite number of musicians since the days of the amazing (and totally inimitable) Revd. John Beck. Could this be the sort of thing to which you are referring or are you thinking of God Own Annointed Local Representative? In any case, I wish you well in your new post and send my wife's regards! Paul D(errett) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJJ Posted November 4, 2006 Share Posted November 4, 2006 Yes, I am also Vox Humana's granddaughter <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ooooer!! AJJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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