At the invitation of Paul Carr and Paul Hodgetts, a visit first at 1.30pm to Holy Trinity Wordsley to play the 3 manual 36 stop organ dating originally from 1836 by Bevington, which has been the subject of rebuilds and improvements over the years, the most recent improvements being by Trevor Tipple and Nicholson. Then on to St Bartholomew's Penn, for 3.30pm to play the 2 manual 21 stop organ rebuilt by Nicholson in 1974.
Visit to St Martin in the Bull Ring, Birmingham, commencing at 10.30am to play the 4 manual 68 stop organ, which was originally a three manual organ by Harrison & Harrison from 1907, restored in 1954 and rebuit as a 4 manual organ with an electric console by Compton. Then on to St Philip's Cathedral Birmingham for 12.30pm, to play the fine 4 manual 68 stop organ, originally by Schwarbrick, rebuilt by Nicholson.
Visit to St Helen's, Etwall hosted by LDOA member Steve Mansfield, commencing at 2pm. Steve will demonstrate the 3 manual Viscount digital organ, to which he has linked Balckpool Wurlitzer samples. Opportunity for members to try their hands at playing the organ in either Cinema organ or conventional church organ modes. This promises to be a fun visit, with the option of adjuourning afterwards to the Hawk and Buckle just across the road!
Visit, postponed from 2020 then 2021 due to Covid-19, to Rugby commencing at 11am with first a visit to St Andrew's Church, Rugby, at the invitation of Director of Music Dr Richard Dunster-Sigtermans, to play the 3 manual 48 stop organ, completely rebuilt by Hill, Norman & Beard in 1963, and more recently by Peter Spencer in 2005-7. Then on to Rugby School for 1.30pm at the invitation of Director of Music Richard Tanner, to play the magnificent 4 manual 55 speaking stop Kenneth Jones & Associates organ in the beautiful School Chapel, recently refurbished by Nicholson. Then an opportunity to play the 3 manual 32 stop Bryson organ in the Temple Speech Room. There are also two further organs at Rugby School - a 2 manual 6 stop Harrison & Harrison organ in the Memorial Chapel, and a 2 manual 5 stop Skrabl organ in the Music School
Visit to the Chapel of St John without Barrs, Lichfield, for our 2022 AGM, followed by a workshop led by LDOA Student Member and Organist at St John's Liam Condon, and an opportunity to play the 2 manual 18 stop Hill, Norman & Beard organ.
Annual Dinner for members and guests at The School House, Weeford, Nr Lichfield. 7 for 7.30pm.
Originally planned for 17th September, but postponed due to the period of national mourning for the death of HM Queeen Elizabeth II, two visits organised by LDOA Committee Member and Walsall Borough Organist Peter Morris. First to Shrewsbury URC for 1.15pm, for a visit hosted by Bill Smallman to play the 3-manual 25-stop Norman & Beard organ. Then on to Shrewsbury Abbey for 2.45pm for a visit hosted by Organist Nigel Pursey, who will introduce and demonstrate the 3-manual 32-stop Hill organ, which has just had a £200k restoration by GO Organbuilders of Hereford, the reopening recital having being given by James McVinnie on 15th October 2021. Then an opportunity for members to play the organ.
President's Evening at Lichfield Cathedral, hosted by our President Martyn Rawles, Assistant Director of Music. Members are invited to attend the Advent Carol Service at 6pm, and President's Evening will commence after the service at approximately 7.30pm, when members will have the opportunity to play the magnificent Hill organ. Members wishing to play need to advise us in advance of what they plan to play so that we can sort out a running order to make best use of playing time available to us.
