May 2005
Courses for Organists in 2005	Show Menu

The Organists’ Workshop

By Sandra Maxwell

Thanks are due to Randal Henly whose idea of a music workshop in St Mary’s Church, Howth, provided a morning which was both informative and enjoyable.

Some twenthy eight people attended the workshop on Saturday, 22 January. The morning opened with a talk from Peter Barley, organist and master of the choristers in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He gave us some insights into both conducting and managing a choir. One book highly recommended by him is ‘How to be a successful Choir Director’, by John Bertalot, publ. Kevin Mayhew.

We then had an opportunity to sing a selection of hymns, introduced to us by Raymond Russell — some known to us, some new to us, all sung with great enjoyment by the participants.

During the coffee break (a big thank you to those who provided a welcome cuppa) we were able to browse the ‘have-a-look-at-organ-music’ table and hunt for bargains on the Music for Sale stall.

Following coffee, Randal brought us up to speed on using computers in sourcing and writing church music. Everyone was delighted to know that they were to receive a free starter Demo CD of HymnQuest 2005, which would be posted to them in the next few days (the parcel was ‘stuck’ in the Baldoyle sorting office!).

This being the end of our morning’s work, we retired to the church. Having congregated round the church organ, Peter gave us a talk and demonstration on the many different combinations of stops that can be used with such effect to create whatever mood is required in the music. He followed this with a performance of Benjamin Brittan’s Prelude and Fugue on the theme of Victoria, creating a really wonderful sound on the organ.

Raymond performed one of his favourite pieces Giovanni Battista Pescetti, sonata in C minor, a piece that was enjoyed by us all and finally Randal showed us how he has been able to join on an electric keyboard to the organ which enable him to reproduce trumpet tones should the need arise, despite having no trumpet stop on the organ. Man’s creativity knows no bounds!

Demonstrations over, for those who wished to stay and play, the organ of St. Mary’s was available for use.

Again, well done, Randal, for organising the workshop and to Howth Parish for providing the venue. I think everyone would agree that it was very worthwhile and that we would welcome others in the future.

---

The RSCM Summer Organ Course

in association with St Giles’ International Organ School St Giles, Cripplegate, London, 1 to 6 August.

Norah Morris, who attended last year’s course, writes about it.

Yes, it’s St Giles again! Having just returned from taking part for the second year in the RSCM St Giles’ Summer Organ Course led by Anne Marsden Thomas, I can truly say that it lived up to all expectations. There were 53 students, mostly from the UK, but also from far away places such as Hong Kong, Nigeria, Canada, and four from Ireland, and we were made most welcome. There were seven tutors — all of high renown —who guided us expertly and graciously through the week.

The course consisted of master classes, accompanying and improvisation classes, private lessons, practice sessions, aural training, and more, plus the opportunity to play in one of three student concerts held on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday evenings. Each student was given his or her own individual timetable based on choices made prior to arrival.

The master classes on the various days covered the following eras: Tuesday 1550 to 1770, Wednesday 1700 to 1800, Thursday 1800 to 1920 and Friday 1920 to 2004, with choices of music for each day’s theme. Students were grouped into six graded strands — beginners to post-diploma. These classes were great fun and very informative.

Everything on the course is highly organised, all in a most friendly and positive manner, but you do have to put in the effort to get yourself from venue to venue (and on time!) and this can involve quite a lot of walking — in the London heat! But no better way to see the sights of London; maps and advice are supplied.

St Giles is the headquarters for the week (tea, coffee and biscuits always at the ready) and in addition to the large pipe organ there, there were a number of digital organs where you can practise (with earphones), and also a number of dummy pedal boards. Up to fifteen people can be practising simultaneously. As well, those on the course had access to nineteen City church organs — some very mighty — yours truly found herself the proud occupier of the City Temple for one hour.

Each day ended with a service in St Giles, with voluntaries, and with hymns played by the students participating in the accompaniment classes. On most evenings we congregated in the ‘local’ just across from the WMCA where we stayed, for the usual chin wag.

Saturday came all too quickly, and the proceedings ended at lunch time, after a busy morning of Service, presentation of certificates and reports, with a splendid concert by the tutors. It was time to say good bye to friends — “See you next year?” After a magical, creative week, you came away a little sad that it was all over, but feeling refreshed in mind and spirit. See you there?

---

Some musical definitions from the Organist’s library

Evensong The evening service of the Anglican Church, sometimes held in the afternoon so as not to interfere with television. A sermon will be appended and this will at least be as long as the rest of the service. The Evensong sermon gives the organist his last opportunity of marking the register and preparing next week’s music list. In some churches, the lights are turned out to prevent this.

HYMNS These are of two kinds, long and short. They are bound together in volumes that are either too big or too small. Both kinds are sensitive to the pull of gravity at solemn moments.

<<Previous | Next >>