Me and a pony called Friday – on a freezing Welsh moor in April

Stable Girls are expected to turn out morning and evening, in all weathers, to perform repetitive tasks for dismal amounts of money – sounds familiar?

This winter I’ve discovered a whole untapped aspect of my wardrobe, perfect for winter organ playing – my horse-riding gear. I’m not talking boots, bits and bridles here*  but the sort of clothing that riders throw on every morning before they stump down to the stables for another round of mucking out and dressage practice.

So girls, visit your local Tack Store rather than the High Street for warm, practical, and inexpensive clothes for playing in.   The gilets and padded waistcoats are particularly good, as are the fleeces designed to keep your neck nice and warm along with the rest of you, and thermal trousers and undergarments for that desperate sub-zero church practice slot.

I have a black quilted gilet from Shires which I think is very smart – more Star Trek than Stable Girl actually.  I am slightly tempted even to play in my sticky-bum jodphurs (designed to keep you in the saddle, and possibly also from sliding off the organ bench?) but I think that’s probably going too far.

Colourwise, you’ll probably want to steer clear of the sea of bubble gum pink aimed at the younger rider – too garish even for the third Sunday in Advent.  You’ll find most grown-up Stable Girl Style clothes are in sober colours (to cope with mud, and what are euphemistically called stable stains) and wash like a dream (same reason).

Also check carefully for inappropriate slogans  – playing next Sunday with “Frisky Filly” in large letters across your back might send the wrong message to elderly male members of the congregation.

*Sorry about that.  I have noticed that some non-riders’ eyes light up at the mere mention of horsey gear, thinking that the riding fraternity always have something kinky going on.  And if you don’t believe me, try leaving a pair of  riding boots and a training whip in the back of your car, and clock the reaction of the next guy who helps you load your purchases from the DIY store or wherever.

What the well-dressed lady organist is wearing this winter

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Organ mirror on a stand – St Giles Cripplegate in the Barbican, London

I try to control the trainspotter* tendencies in my personality, but I do like taking pictures of organ mirrors (wait for my fully-illustrated coffee table book Organ Mirrors of the World, Part 1 - it’s going to be a wow)  because they are often a makeshift and inappropriate afterthought to the case design.   However this one is pure genius.  The Chancel Organ at St Giles Cripplegate is awkwardly placed (so what’s new, I hear you mutter) and for services on the Summer Course we are often conducted by a relay of Course Tutors, which is little unnerving (though naturally they are very good at it).

Since last year someone has commissioned this impressive mirror on a stand.  I think you can see how it was made – you could even make your own!  You have to get used to looking downwards, rather than upwards, but hey, we’re organists, we adapt.

This is probably a silly request, but if you have any organ mirror pictures, please send them in – to theladyorganist@gmail.com.  If (when) they are published, you will get full credit – unless you are too embarrassed, of course.

*For non-UK readers who may be baffled by this term, trainspotters are men (almost always) in anoraks, clutching thermos flasks, who stand in bunches at the end of railway platforms, recording the identification numbers of the engines that pass.  That’s it.

Jingle Bells and an Oliphant

RCO Summer Course – name that pipe

A Big Name at Bloomsbury Central

RCO Summer School 2014 – our feet go marching on

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Thanks Central Methodists @preston_church and Dave Walker @davewalker for tweeting.

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The 2013 St Albans organ competition prizewinners on the organ staircase – Jihoon Song, Anna-Victoria Baltrusch, Martin Sturm, Benjamin Sheen, Simon Thomas Jacobs

Whenever I bump into the people who help run the St Albans International Organ Festival I’m impressed by their knowledge and enthusiasm.  They are one of the secrets of the success of the Festival, which last year celebrated its 50th anniversary.  John Morrish, who manages the membership,  recently contacted me to say they are very keen to encourage more people to join the organisation, and help safeguard the Festival for the next 50 years.

Founded by Peter Hurford in 1963, the Festival pulls in leading musicians and audiences from all over the world.  It’s held every two years, with a mini-festival in the between years and a monthly programme of Saturday recitals by distinguished international organists.   It takes place around the magnificent Norman Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban in Hertforshire, England, and its aim is to demonstrate the potential of the organ, outside of accompanying church services.  So find solo recitals, improvisation, orchestral music – not forgetting the organ competitions which attract young organists from all over the world to be heard by a jury of international standing.  The roll call of past winners is impressive, and includes Kimberly Marshall, Kevin Bowyer, Stephen Farr, Ann Elise Smoot, Thomas Trotter and Gillian Weir.

If being part of this appeals, then Membership costs £25 per year.  IOF members  have the opportunity to enjoy the organ recitals and priority booking for festival events, as well as being part of the community that preserves the spirit and purpose of the festival.  You can join online at Festival Membership, or e-mail administrator(at)organfestival.com or telephone the IOF office on 01727 844 765.   If you join now, you will get 20 months membership for the price of 12.

The website of the IOF is here, they have a Facebook page, and you can follow them on Twitter @Organ_Festival

To give you a flavour of the mini-festival this year, here’s the brochure for the 2013-14 concert series:  IOF_Saturday_Organ_concert_series_13-14

St Albans Abbey, and the Harrison & Harrison organ – the focus of the International Organ Festival every two years

This page would not be complete without the specification of the 1962 Harrison & Harrison organ at the Cathedral, restored by the builders 2007-2009

You might also like:

Dame Gillian Weir

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St Cecilia at the organ, Daniele Crespi (1590-1630) /Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest

Last year I gave you four St Cecilias to celebrate the day of our patron saint.  This year it’s just one – this extraordinary early 17th century drawing by Daniele Crespi.  Cecilia’s clothes are practically dropping off with the energy and ecstasy of her playing –  the bellowsman struggles to keep up.  And who are those leering figures in the background?  The panel on the base of the organ reveals, I think, Cecilia’s forthcoming martyrdom (by beheading with a sword) – suggested by Crespi with a few nonchalant spirals of the pen.

Last year’s St Cecilias are here:

Four St Cecilias

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My favourite Dave Walker cartoon

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Calgary organists promise howling pipes and decomposing musicians from 10pm on 31st October at Knox United Church, as part of Calgary Organ Festival, coming up at the end of this month.  Entry to this event is by donation to the Calgary Food Bank, and there’s an opportunity to walk the floor Labyrinth at Knox United Church beforehand.  They suggest you bring your own zombie (always good to take the opportunity to introduce newcomers to our favourite instrument) and dress appropriately.

On a more wholesome note, the Festival opens with Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza - an opportunity for teenagers with some piano playing ability to experience the pipe organ with masterclasses, demonstrations and a private lesson.   Registration for this closes this Friday, 11th, so get your skates on if you (or someone you know) would like to participate.

There are also recitals and masterclasses from Neil Cockburn, Marcin Szelest, Tim Pyper, and Henry Fairs.   Calgary Organ Festival 2013 is from 26th October to the 1st November. It’s hosted by Mount Royal University Conservatory, with the Calgary Society of Organists and RCCO as two of the main partners.  The full schedule is here.

More on two of the organists taking part:

Five questions for…Henry Fairs

Five questions for…Neil Cockburn

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Parishioners sing into the night at St Andrew’s Leytonstone, in a fund-raising hymnathon.

After the usual stalwarts of coffee mornings, bazaars, quiz nights and raffles, what other options are there for parish fund raising, when the organ, inevitably, needs expensive attention?    The historic 1914 Lewis & Co organ at St Andrew’s, Leytonstone, in north London, needs the bellows releathered – so far they’ve had a hymnathon (an account here from someone who took part), concerts and so on, and raised £11,500 of the £25,000 needed.

Now St Andrew’s organist Kathryn Rose has come up with the best idea yet to raise the rest – liturgical hair.  Starting in Advent (1st December this year) and going all the way through to Pentecost, for every £30 given, she will keep her hair dyed in liturgical colours for a day.  So that’s purple, red, green and white – or please Kathryn, can we have gold?  Kathryn writes eloquently on why churches should cherish their pipe organs here.  She’s promised to post pictures – she deserves our support!

Donations via JustGiving here

Or you can text a donation : send ORGN99 £10 to 70070

Follow Kathryn on Twitter @artsyhonker

Table of Anglican Liturgical Colours (or Hair Colour Chart if you prefer)

(This chart of liturgical colours comes from the website of St John the Baptist in Peterborough, a church dedicated in 1407 and situated right in the heart of the City.  The 15th century carvings in the ceiling of the south porch are well worth a look.)

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Q.  How many altos does it take to change a lightbulb?

A.  One, and nine others to say ‘But it’s too high for me’

Q.  How many sopranos does it take to change a light bulb?

A.  One, and nine others to say ‘But why didn’t he choose ME?’

Q.  How many tenors does it take to change a lightbulb?

A.  None, you just say thank you for coming.

Q.  How many organists does it take to change a lightbulb?

A.  One, and nine others to say ‘Change?  CHANGE??!’

Thank you Simon and Church2 group this morning for those.

And another from Frederick:

Q.   How many organists does it take to change a lightbulb?

A.   One, and nine others to say ‘You realise all the wiring on this has got to be replaced first?’

And someone’s just sent me this one:

Q.   How many choir directors does it take to change a lightbulb?

A.   No-one knows; no one has ever looked.

(thank you David Lee, www.servicemusic.org.uk)

You might also like:

RCO Summer Course 2013 – St Etheldreda’s Chapel

RCO Summer Course 2013 – playovers and extensions

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