YOUNG ORGANISTS HAVE A 'SWELL' TIME ON SALISBURY CATHEDRAL'S FAMOUS FATHER WILLIS ORGAN

If Salisbury Cathedral’s recent Open Day for young organists is anything to go by, the future of playing the ‘king of instruments’ is in safe hands.

Over thirty students between 11 – 18 years, from beginners through to advanced pupils, came to the Cathedral in mid-February to take part in the special free event, run jointly with pipe up!

The day began with a much appreciated description and superb demonstration of the famous Father Willis organ by David Halls, the cathedral’s Director of Music, and Daniel Cook, cathedral Organist. The bulk of the day comprised master class sessions during which each student performed a piece which they then worked on with the cathedral’s musicians or Robert Fielding, director of pipe up! Thanks to a large video screen and microphones, the action in the organ loft was seen and heard by the participants’ families and friends sitting below in the quire. The day ended with a short but inspirational recital by Daniel Cook.

David Halls, who is also Chairman of the Salisbury and District Organists’ Association, said “The day was a tremendous success and it was great to see so many enthusiastic students. Daniel and I were impressed with the quality of much of the playing we heard. A number of the older teenagers who took part in the day are already playing for their local parish churches and, from what we heard, must be doing a good job! Salisbury Cathedral is keen to support pipe up! which encourages young musicians in the Diocese to learn the organ and hope the Open Day has also helped promote its work.”

Robert Fielding was delighted by the whole event. “We are extremely grateful to David Halls and Daniel Cook for sharing their knowledge and expertise on what was clearly an amazing day for these young organists, and also grateful for the support of Salisbury Cathedral and its staff. We have received a significant amount of positive feedback and all the performers seemed to have a positive and uplifting experience, whatever their current level of playing the organ. Without doubt the opportunity to play the magnificent cathedral organ was a thrilling and unforgettable experience and I am sure that many more of these students will have been inspired by David and Daniel to take their musical skills and enthusiasms to their own churches.”

Robert Fielding now plans to develop regular organ workshops around the Diocese on Saturdays. “Everyone who took part in the open day will be invited to these workshops which will be held 3-4 times a year in venues such as Salisbury Methodist Church, Marlborough College, Dorchester St Mary’s, Lyme Regis St Michael’s and Romsey Abbey. All these places have good instruments around which a number of students can gather”. Anyone, organist or would be organist aged 11 – 18 years who would like further information should contact Robert Fielding on 0787 944 3060 or email rcfielding@googlemail.com

pipe up!, funded by The Tindall Trust, aims to establish regular Saturday morning workshops in churches and schools throughout the Diocese of Salisbury to encourage young musicians to learn the organ and gain experience playing the instrument. Each workshop is subsidized by The Tindall Trust so costs each pupil just £10 per session. Already one successful workshop has been established in Dorchester under Richard Godfrey’s tutelage and pipe up! hopes soon to be able to offer regular workshops in the North and South of Wiltshire. pipe up! also subsidizes regular one-to-one organ lessons with Robert Fielding and Richard Godfrey.