We invited Holly Broadbent, one of our Australian based customers, to share her journey to choosing a Viscount Organ for practising at home. She is a student, studying Organ and undertaking an honours degree at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts, and she thought by sharing her story – it may help other home practice organ players.
Here’s Holly’s story….
Why did I need a practice organ at home?
Recently the effort of travelling to a church to practice had begun to become too great and so I decided that I really needed to find a home practice option to continue my studies. I explored both new and used digital organs available locally (in my home town of Perth, WA) but also considered those available from Viscount Classical Organs Limited based near Oxford England and distributed locally by 3 Monkeys AV.
Obviously, I could not play one of these organs so any choice was based more on trust of the advice offered. This came by way of an email conversation with David Mason (in Oxford) – even though we had a 10 hour time difference, he managed to be really responsive and efficient in helping answer my questions.
I had met David when he came to Perth to set-up the Viscount business with 3 Monkeys – he turned pages for me whilst I played for a Sunday morning service at St George’s. So this also helped build the trust factor of course!
In time I understand 3 Monkeys will have a small stock in Perth but at the moment they only hold an Envoy 35 organ at their premises.
Purchasing a digital practice organ on a budget
As a student I was working with a limited budget – so David guided me towards the Viscount Chorum S 40 which arrived last week, about 8 weeks after I had agreed to purchase. I understand the instrument was shipped by sea to Fremantle and then the delivery was organised by 3 Monkeys AV. A faster and more expensive option was available by air but this short wait was not at all critical in my case.
As you see from my picture(s) the instrument is now installed at my home and I am delighted with it, particularly the ‘keyboard action’. Some digital instruments, especially the older ones, have very poor keyboards but I am really pleased with the Viscount simulated ‘tracker touch’ that will not mean I risk losing finger strength.
Thank you for my new practice instrument
The process of dealing with Viscount and 3 Monkeys was very reassuring at all times so even though the main source of advice was 10,000 miles away and some 10 hour time different, my experience demonstrates that it works.
I am delighted to say I’m a happy customer and wish all concerned well in this venture to make Viscount instruments more readily available in Australia for more enthusiastic organ players. Thank you Francis (at 3 Monkeys AV in Perth) and David (at Viscount in England)!
If you would like a conversation to help you decide which instrument would work for your environment and budget – please feel free to contact our team on enquiries@viscountorgans.net in England, or, if based in Australia, contact Francis Fragomeni on francis@ 3monkeysav.com. To find out more about our Australia base please visit this page: https://viscountorgans.net/australia/
I have had a passion for church organs since the tender age of 12. I own and run Viscount Organs with a close attention to the detail that musicians appreciate; and a clear understanding of the benefits of digital technology and keeping to the traditional and emotional elements of organ playing.
I’m SO excited to read this wonderful story from my hometown. I purchased my Viscount Vivace 30L while living in Armadale, Perth for my practice organ. I purchased it from a company in Sydney. 10 years later I’m still loving it! A few years ago I accepted a teaching position in Lynden, Washington State, USA. I took my Viscount Vivace with me. Recently the church I attend purchased the amazing and great Viscount Unico 400 as well as the Viscount Contorum. When it comes to organs, there’s no alternative!
We have a very large library of organ music looking for a good home. My father in law was a organist and a founder member of the London Bach Society. Both he and his wife taught music and whilst there is probably the complete library of Bach, there is a great deal more. We live in Toodyay WA and if the young lady studying organ in Perth would like it, she is very welcome to the collection.
Hello,
As a student of the organ myself, I would be most grateful for any organ music you may have.
I currently am trying to get as many young people involved in the organ. recsourcing this is expensive, so
I am always on the lookout.
thankyou.
Hi Geoff, Where in the world are you.May be able to help if we get duplicates. Regards David
Another excellent choice.Hope she got her free years subscription to the RCO.