June 2004
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SUMMER ORGAN COURSE

Ann Keary reports on the St Giles International Organ Summer Course, in which she took part last summer

On 4th August last, I set off to London to take part in the St Giles International Organ Summer Course. Not having participated in anything of its kind before, I was very apprehensive about (1) my ability; (2) my age! and (3) leaving my family. My fears were quickly dispelled when I arrived at St Giles Church to see a great range of students of all ages — from 13 to 70! I also soon learned that organists of all abilities, even beginners, are catered for.

This highly-organised course is led by Anne Marsden Thomas, Musical Director of St Giles. A team of eight excellent and highly-regarded organists guided us throughout the week in master classes, improvisation classes, private lessons, accompanying classes and aural training. These classes were held for all levels in fourteen different churches! Visiting these churches and playing on their various organs was a wonderful experience in itself. The days’ classes culminated in a service of Evensong and in the evenings we had the privilege of listening to each other perform in concert. After this, the nightcap in the local pub was a must, of course!

St Giles Cripplegate is in the City of London and is looked down upon by the tower blocks of the Barbican
Being one of fifty eight organists present, all from different backgrounds, but all with the same aim — to improve one’s skills and become more rounded in ability — was indeed a very stimulating experience. I learned so much there, and yet I feel I only touched the tip of the iceberg of what this course has to offer.

This year’s course will be held during the week 2nd to 7th August. Further information about it is obtainable from the RSCM, Cleveland Lodge, Westhumble, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6BW, Tel. 0044 1306 872807, e-mail: cwardle@rscm.com, or see the course web pages at www.rscm.com.

PIPE ORGAN SOCIETY OF IRELAND (POSI)

Norbert Kelvin, Interim Chair, POSI

Your ideas are always welcome on how the Pipe Organ Society of Ireland might better serve you and the cause of the pipe organ. As our reach is nation-wide, we know that busy people find it difficult to attending the Society's events. We have run some modestly-successful events, a Cork Organ Day in November 2003 where we visited and played five notable Cork City pipe organs, and the AGM in March 2004 at Galway Cathedral, with visits to a number of noteworthy Galway organs. Despite our best efforts people found that they couldn't get to Galway for the AGM, so the election of a committee has been postponed.

Our next event is likely to be in Dublin where we hope to visit a number of that city's fine organs. The Society's big event for 2005 will be next May — the Cork International Pipe Organ Festival, where we are planning to show off Cork's historic organs played really well in concert and liturgical settings.

Perhaps all of this high-flying frenetic activity doesn't appeal to the ordinary church organist who, in addition to carrying a regular job, is required to organise the music, rehearse the choir and practise the organ parts. A fine pipe organ helps to make all this hard work a joy. That's why POSI is so keen to foster the pipe organ as the prime instrument in worship. This includes organs of every age, but we especially want to ensure that worthy historic instruments are conserved as working examples of their superb artistry and not allowed to deteriorate or be lost.

POSI's new website (under development) is www.irishpipeorgans.com.

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