Create an organist (or just have a good day out) – The Great North Organ Day
The distinctive tower of St Nicholas Cathedral is a well-known Newcastle landmark /rodjonesphotography
Do you know anyone – of any age – who you think might secretly hanker after playing the pipe organ? Who lives in the north of England? The Great North Organ Day hits Newcastle on Saturday 17th May. Based around Newcastle’s two Cathedrals of St Mary and St Nicholas, it has something for everyone – recitals, masterclasses, hands-on tuition, advice on pipe and digital organs, and a pianist conversion workshop (churches, I’m sure you know someone you can send on this!)
Meet Gordon Stewart (from BBC Songs of Praise), James Lancelot (Organist at Durham Cathedral), Anne Marsden Thomas (RCO Academy) and Rosemary Field (RSCM) – and also Duncan Matthews, works manager at Durham organ builders Harrison & Harrison, who will give some insight into the design, construction and maintenance of the church’s most valuable asset.
Coming from the north of England myself (er…Middlesbrough if you must know, one of Newcastle’s scruffier neighbours) I am proud to be a sponsor of the Great North Organ Day. It’s also sponsored (and organised) by the RSCM, the IOA and the Newcastle and District Society of Organists. Booking forms and more details can be found at www.greatnorthorganday.co.uk.
You might also like to read about the Royal Festival Hall organ, built, and recently restored by Harrison & Harrison, and an interview with Anne Marsden Thomas, here:
