Events

from the Incorporated Association of Organists
more from London Organ Day website

Director: Daniel Moult
more from Royal School of Church Music

A residential weekend in Oundle for early -stages organists and pianists who want to play the pipe organ.  Typical age 10-15.  More from Oundle for Organists

Organised by the Association of British Choral Directors.  More details here

Director: Rosemary Field
more from Royal School of Church Music

Explore baroque and romantic French music on outstanding instruments by Scerzer/Aubertin (1745) and Cavaille-Coll (1859), with further visits to other organs. 
Faculty: Hans Fagius, Daniel Roth, directed by Nigel Allcoat
details and booking

Junior (age 14-18) and Senior (age 18+) strands offered, with tutors Sophie-Veronique Cauchefer-Choplin, Ronny Krippner, Duncan Middleton and Gerard Brooks.
 Full details at www.loic.org.uk

Biennial festival founded by Peter Hurford, centred around the Norman Cathedral
More details here

Week-long early music course concentrating on keyboard performance styles and practices from the Renaissance to 1800. Performance opportunities on an original Robert Dallam organ of 1653. English website at www.academiebaroquelanvellec.fr where a registration form can be downloaded.   Deadline for applications: 30 May 2013
 

Exploring New Repertoire (typical age range 14-17) and Style and Technique (typical age range 16-22) More from Oundle for Organists

The RCO's summer course catering for organists of all ages and abilities, centred on the church of St Giles, Cripplegate.  Details and booking form from the RCO website.

Organ masterclasses with Margaret Phillips on a variety of instruments in a beautiful mountain environment. Further details from www.amsion.ch

Summer school/conference exploring developments in church music, the training of music leaders of the future, as well as the church music heritage.
Full details and booking form here

Theme is '100 years of organ music in England c1713-1813'; course repertoire will cover the Voluntary, the Concerto, arrangements and transcriptions, and duets, and will visit important historic instruments in East Anglia and London. Classes, lessons and practice opportunities; tutors: John Wellingham, Terence Charlston, Anne Page. Apply early: places for active participants are limited. www.cambridgeorganacademy.org

 OBSERVER PLACES now available for 19th Aug/Clare College, Cambridge,  20th Aug/Hillingdon Church, Norfolk,  22nd Aug/St Giles in the Fields, London,  23rd Aug/Trinity College & Clare College,Cambridge

Classes by Jacques van Oortmerssen will focus on Scheidemann, Bruhns, Buxtehude and J.S.Bach. Lessons will take place in Amsterdam in the Waalse Kerk (Chr. Muller organ of 1734), in Alkmaar in the St Laurence Church (Van Covelens organ, 1511  and the Van Hagerbeer/Schnitger organ, 1645/1725), and in Haarlem at St Bavo's Cathedral (Chr.Muller organ, 1738).
More information and application form here
Closing date for applications: 1 June

A new course from Oundle for Organists to offer advice on all the elements of organ scholarship. 

The Souvigny Organ Academy in partnership with Cambridge Academy of Organ Studies presents a course addressing principally repertoire from the French classical school (c1690-1790), with a unique opportunity to play a rare Clicquot organ in a state of near-complete survival. Classes (English/French) with Pierre Dubois and Jean-Luc Perrot. Limited to 6 active participants; course fee of £200 covers tuition and practice; observers £80; advice about accommodation available on request. Applications and further information from www.cambridgeorganacademy.org

Recitals and and tuition on excellent mechanical action organs, with James Parsons, Daniel Moult and Ronny Krippner.  £150 for the weekend including dinner on Saturday - students will need to book their own accommodation. Go to http://www.pdoa.co.uk/WarmingtonWeekend.pdf for more details.

Parry and Stanford - Different Worlds, Different Aspirations
Illustrated lectures, masterclass, discussion, performances, with Professor Jeremy Dibble, David Goode, Andrew McCrea, Ann Elise Smoot, William Whitehead and students from the Royal College of Music

CAMBRIDGE ACADEMY OF ORGAN STUDIES in association with ORGAN SCHOLARS' FORUM

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Hear one of Messiaen's chosen interpreters talk about the music and teach advanced students. Dr Jennifer Bate, OBE is recognised as a major authority on the organ works of Olivier Messiaen, with whom she worked extensively during the composer's final two decades. Her world première recording of his last masterpiece for organ, Livre du Saint Sacrement, had exceptional international success, winning a Grand Prix du Disque. Her recordings and performances of the complete organ works of Messiaen have received international acclaim. She gives lectures, recitals and ,asterclasses worldwide and is a Patron of CAOS.
Illustrated lecture: Trinity Hall, Bridgewater Room, 10-11.30am
Masterclass: St John's College Chapel, 1-4pm
Full price £30 whole day; £15 morning or afternoon sessions only
Students £10 whole day; £5 morning or afternoon sessions only

CONTACT    www.cambridgeorganacademy.org / Andrew Johnson:  andrew(at)cambridgeorganacademy.org

ALLEIN GOTT - an afternoon of recitals, presentations and displays featuring chorale and cantus firmus based organ music

Celebrity Recital at 6pm by Jane Parker-Smith

Further details from: www.organistsonline.org/allein.gott

STARS AND STRIPES - exploring American organ culture on the new Richards, Fowkes & Co organ, with Kimberley Marshall (Goldman Professor of Organ, Arizona State University).  Guest recitalist Anne Elise Smoot

www.londonorganday.co.uk

Cambridge Academy of Organ Studies in association with Fugue State Films and Birmingham Conservatoire
'From Sweelinck to Bach'
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck was a renowned teacher, known as the 'maker of German organists'. Through his German pupils and their successors a line runs directly to Johann Sebastian Bach. This is the first of two CAOS study days exploring the path between the two. Later this year in November, the Dutch scholar and performer Pieter Dirksen will continue the story.  Our spring study day explores this repertoire through a masterclass with Henry Fairs, a recital by students of Birmingham Conservatoire and a screening of the award-winning film 'The Organs of the Laurenskerk, Alkmaar'.
10.30-12.30pm Trinity College, Cambridge:  Henry Fairs, Head of Organ Studies at Birmingham Conservatoire gives a class on music from Sweelinck to Bach.  There is space for a small number of observers to see how advanced students study their pieces at a new organ and learn about performance practice. The Metzler organ of Trinity College is one of the most suitable in the country for this repertoire. (To observe £10, students £5)
1.10-1.50pm Trinity College Cambridge:  Recital by the students, open to the public. (by donation)
2.45-5.00pm Magdalene College Cambridge:  Screening of 'The Organs of the Laurenskerk, Alkmaar' and discussion. (£5, free to students) The DVD will be on sale for the special price of £20.

Details from   Andrew Johnson: andrewpj(at)waitrose.com

A celebration of the restoration of the iconic Royal Festival Hall organ, with concerts, workshops, new music.  Performers include Thomas Trotter, Olivier Latry and Cameron Carpenter.  More information here

Jennifer Bate

For young women organists aged 13-21. Residential course offers excellent training particularly for those considering university scholarships and conservatoire applications as well as candidates for the higher ABRSM examinations/RCO diplomas. Dr Jennifer Bate OBE leads the course, assisted by a team of outstanding specialists, making full use of the facilities at the school. Applications encouraged from all ability levels. Bursaries may be available. Further information/application forms from course director Geoffrey Field: geoff.field(at)stcatherines.info or visit St Catherine's website.  Closing date for applications: Friday 31st January 2014

Pulling Out The Stops : a friendly weekend for early-stages organists and pianists who want to play the pipe organ, led by tutor Tom Bell.   Includes organ crawl round Cambridge college chapels, and a recital at King's College, Cambridge.  More here.

Resident at Merton College Oxford, with access to the new Dobson Op91 organ, and many of the city's other organs.  Tuition strands are based around the RCO Diploma examinations.  Tutors include Professor Graham Barber, Margaret Phillips and Thomas Trotter.  More information from the RCO Academy website

A day programme for teenage organists aiming for an organ scholarship at university or cathedral, or simply wishing to gain experience in conducting and accompanying choirs.  Based at Merton College Oxford - be among the first to play the new Dobson Op91 organ, installed in Merton Chapel to celebrate the college's 750th anniversary.  More information from the RCO Academy website

Celebrating the installation of the new Dobson Organ.  More information here.

Read about the organ builders and the installation here.

Recitals and masterclass, with Simon Lindley, Mark McCombs and John Scott Whiteley,on the organs of Upper Chapel Norfolk Street, St Matthew's Carver Street, and Sheffield City Hall.   More details : YOD A4 poster

An opportunity for all to meet and engage with the king of instruments - at Newcastle's two cathedrals of St Mary and St Nicholas.  With Gordon Stewart, James Lancelot, Rosemary Field and Anne Marsden Thomas.  More details here

Hear this world-renowned organist play one of Bach's masterpieces for keyboard.  The colours of the Chapel's Metzler organ add a new dimension to this well known work.   Cambridge hosts this unique performance in the UK.  Admission free - retiring collection. 

Course organised by the Waalse Kerk in Amsterdam, open to professional organists and students studying at institutions for professional musical education.  20 hours of classes including masterclasses by Jacques van Oortmerssen.  Repertoire - free choice of JS Bach.  Tutition fee 285 euros, hotels and meals not included.  Email Antonetta.Uijl(at)quicknet.nl with your details for more information.

A week's Summer School for young organists during the Oundle International Festival.  More details here.

An essential course for those hoping to become organ scholars, simply wanting to gain experience in accompanying and conducting choirs.  Resident at Trinity College, with access to its celebrated Metzler organ.   45 places available for teenagers age 14-19.   More information from the RCO Academy website

This year Smarano Organ Academy will start in Venice on historical instruments of the Italian Baroque period, continuing in Smarano with individual practice and personal coaching.  More details www.smaranoacademy.com

For an impression of the academy in 2013, visit YouTube

"The big course with the personal touch" based in the heart of the historic City of London, centred on the church of St Giles Cripplegate, with its three pipe organs.   The course caters for organists of all levels and aspirations, from absolute beginners to diploma.   More information from the RCO Academy website.   If you want a first-hand account of what it's like on the course, see my own account of the RCO Summer Course in 2013, starting here

Souvigny Organ Academy in association with Cambridge Academy of Organ Studies present two courses on outstanding instruments in France.  The tuition is in English and French and is given by the Titular Organists, Jean-Luc Perrot, Pierre Dubois and Alexis Droy.  The courses can be followed independently.   Places limited for active participants - observers welcome.  Applications and further details from Andrew Johnson andrew(at)cambridgeorganacademy.org  See also www.cambridgeorganacademy.org

Advance is a course designed to help bridge the gap between studentship to professional life for organists.  Tutors include William Whitehead, Jeremy Summerley and Jean-Baptiste Dupont, Organist of Bordeaux Cathedral.  More here.

This year's RCO London Organ Forum (promoted in partnership with the London Bach Society) takes a look at the music of three composers, Reger, Karg-Elert and Widor.  Full details available from 1 July

This year's Bloomsbury Organ Day includes  recitalists Jane Watts, Catherine Ennis, and Anne Marsden Thomas, the RCO/St Giles School, and BIOS.  More information at www.organistsonline.org/britannia

from 1pm (free) an afternoon of recitals, presentations and displays; 5pm (£5) a substantial buffet; 6pm (£5) Celebrity Recital by Jane Watts

TRANSCRIPTIONS AND EDWARDIANA

Original organ music by Bridge, Stanford, Parry, and Lemare, with an exploration of the art of transcription - performed by Gerard Brooks, Timothy Byram-Wigfield, James Lancelot, Weston Jennings and Richard Brasier.

Book and pay online: http://book.londonorganday.co.uk

Tuition for the RCO exams and also a Repertoire & Skills strand for those who already play to diploma standard.  Resident at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (new organ by Taylor & Boody).  Tutors Dr David Ponsford, Johannes Geffert, and Sarah Baldock.

Full details and online booking from RCO website.

Residential weekend course for those at the start of their organ studies.  Young organists (10-15) up to and including Grade 5 standard or young pianists at or above Grade 4 welcome.  Tutors include Ann Elise Smoot, Tom Bell, Catherine Dienes-Williams and Scott Farrell.  Course includes a trip to Cambridge for an organ crawl round college chapels, a recital at King's College Cambridge, and an informal student concert on the last day.

Fee: £275 which includes tuition, accommodation, meals and transport during the weekend.

More details from Oundle for Organists

A course for advanced organists who are over 18 years old - play and hear some of the world's most sigificant organs, and meed the Titulaires of many of these instruments.  Limited places.  Students will be accompanied by Ann Elise Smoot and Neil Cockburn.

Fee: £275 to include Eurostar transport London to Paris, accomodation, meals in Paris.

for more details visit Oundle for Organists

A week of intensive tuition for young organists during the Oundle International Festival.  Tutors include Ann Elise Smoot, Neil Cockburn, James Lloyd Thomas, Magnus Williamson, Frederic Blanc, Stephen Farr, James McVinnie, Christian Wilson.

Fee:  £620 all inclusive.

For more details visit Oundle for Organists

The annual event organised by the Incorporated Association of Organists, including open consoles, recitals, lectures, ending with Annual Dinner in Norwich Cathedral refectory.  For more details go to IAO website.

Booking is now open for the RCO's annual summer course for organists directed by Anne Marsden Thomas.  Each student receives a unique timetable designed for their standards and needs - featured topics for daily masterclasses in 2015 are Bach, manuals-only repertoire and 21st century music.

Full details and booking on the RCO website.

The Lady Organist has written an insider account of the RCO summer course - click here for an account of the 2013 course, and here for a write-up of the course in 2014.