In 2019 the Southwark and South London Society of Organists (SSLSO) started a new initiative to help young musicians interested in learning the organ, called ‘Introducing the Organ’.
Five young people were awarded bursaries for organ lessons and music books worth £250. The recipients were selected by application, and received their awards at St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, where they heard a demonstration of the organ by the former Director of Music, Norman Harper, and had a play themselves. They also had several opportunities to perform in public over the year.
The SSLSO is bringing the scheme back into operation for 2021, with five awards of £250 available once again. These will cover the cost of lessons with a teacher either appointed or approved by the SSLSO, and sheet music.
The scheme is intended for those who haven’t had any organ lessons previously, and can ideally play the piano to ABRSM grade 5 standard, although all applications will be considered. There is no upper age limit.
This academic year our award ceremony will take place at St John’s, East Dulwich on Saturday 15th January 2022, where the recipients will participate in an afternoon event with Anna Lapwood, internationally renowned organist, conductor and broadcaster.
The SSLSO exists to promote organ playing, and we hope that this scheme will play a part in nurturing a future generation of players of this wonderful instrument.
For interested applicants: please return this online form to Charlie Warren, on behalf of the committee.
