On Saturday 6th June an online meeting, entirely informal in nature, was offered as a substitute for the day-trip to Thaxted and Saffron Walden parish churches, which sadly had to be postponed for the usual current reasons. A real shame, as the two towns and churches are very attractive, and in fine weather are glorious to behold. The organs, of course, are very special.

So instead, all members were sent a message via email, asking if they would like an invitation and link to take part in Saturday evening’s  meeting, which took place using the zoom app.  Please find a note of the meeting here.

Saturday 23rd May (2020) saw our former Chair, Marilyn Harper, lead the Keyboard Skills workshop. This was the Society’s first virtual event, hosted over zoom with four participants and seven observers. Keyboard skills, including transposition, figured bass, sight reading and improvisation are core elements of the three Royal College of Organists’ diplomas. Marilyn recommended starting young if possible! Indeed two of the workshop participants were among our younger members, Ben (aged 11) and Joe (aged 15). Marilyn started the workshop looking at exercises from the books written jointly by Anne Marsden Thomas and Frederick Stocken, Graded Keyboard Musicianship, which she thoroughly recommended. Published in two volumes by Oxford University Press, these provide 5 “lessons” at each of 8 “levels”. Each lesson covers Figured bass, Score Reading, Harmonising a Melody, Transposing and Improvising. Ben and Joe performed admirably, realizing the given chord sequences for figured bass, adding them for harmonization, and transposing melodies up and down a tone. Sight reading followed, which was accomplished equally as well. Next, Alan and Robert looked at transposing a four part hymn tune up or down by one or two semitones, which is a requirement for both the Colleague Diploma (CRCO) and Associateship Diploma (ARCO). Marilyn recommended working through the Hanon studies in different keys, to build up technique skills in transposition, and using a metronome for practice – always count in, and start at a slow tempo and work your way up. The workshop concluded with a discussion over zoom among all present, and we of course expressed our gratitude to Marilyn for a thoroughly enjoyable and insightful workshop.

‘Come and Join us’ at Christ’s Chapel, Dulwich

As part of the Dulwich Festival, the Southwark and  South London Society and  of Organists held an event at Christ’s Chapel to encourage a greater interest in the organ and organ music.

The event was held on the 8th May 2015, between 16.00 and 18.00

The beautiful Chapel with its historic and newly restored organ was opened for people to visit. Members of the Society were available to talk to visitors, demonstrate the organ and let those who wished have a go.

We were blessed with a lovely sunny day and there were lots of people walking past the chapel. The sound of the organ attracted a number to come into the building and when the event was explained, many very much liked the idea of a close encounter with the organ – probably of the first kind!

Over 60 visitors came and went,  quite a number sat at the organ console having it explained and making noises. Some were organists and enjoyed the treat of simply playing it.

It was quite clear from the time that  visitors stayed and their enthusiasm and interest, that this event was a great success and in some small way will help grow enthusiasm for the instrument: the photos in the slide show below give some indication of this.

Nicky Jones (our Hon Sec) managed the whole thing and Peter Ramell (our Hon Treasurer and  Membership Sec) set about recruiting new members.  Andrew Chadney and John Mitchell (both Committee members) did impromptu performances, sharing the Bach Fantasia (Andy) and Fugue (John) in C minor BWV 537. Andy also played the adagio from BWV 564 to demonstrate  all the reeds on the swell and choir. John played the Trumpet Tune and Air by Purcell from memory.

Our Chair, Marilyn Harper, is of course the current organist at the Chapel.

The Society is grateful to the organisers of the Dulwich Festival for the opportunity to participate, and in particular for the help of Alpha, the  Festival Director, for staying with us and encouraging passersby to come in and also her son, Callum, a pupil of our Chair Marilyn, who knew how to get the organ opened up and closed down and actually started the whole show by playing the opening piece – Pentagram by David Blackwell.

Click  here for a slide show of 17 photos.

Martin Callingham