The Organs of Astwell Benefice
The Astwell Benefice located on the extreme southern border of Northamptonshire with Oxfordshire comprises 6 churches in the villages of Helmdon, Syresham, Radstone, Whitfield Whappenham and Weedon Lois. They are typical small village churches that seat between 100 and 200 if absolutely packed with Sunday services attracting between 10 and 50 depending upon the time…
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National Churches Trust
I have only recently become aware of the National Churches Trust and wondered if you too may not be aware of the help that they provide. They became known to me in the context of a place to advertise our instruments and services. So we are now listed on the online directory along other trades and professionals…
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Bombarde of Organists
The hands and feet of the Cathedral and King’s Ely professional organists will once again collaborate and collide in a splendid ‘battle’ featuring the state of the art Old Palace Chapel organ. Join our performers for a glass of wine in the Palace reception after the event. Paul Trepte, Jonathan Kingston, Sarah MacDonald, Graham Griggs,…
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Soundtec Classical Organs, Irvine – Enlarges Showroom Facilities
Viscount have long had two strong dealers, Soundtec Classical Organs and Key Player, north of the border. Both are family businesses. On the East Coast just outside Edinburgh Key Player (previously Edinburgh Organ Studio) continues to be run by Kerr MacIntosh. Once on the Golden Mile they are now outside the city centre in Leith Walk and…
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![[Hymn of the Month] Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise](https://viscountorgans.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Blog-features-HOTM-Hail-the-day-that-sees-him-rise-196x136.jpg)
[Hymn of the Month] Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise
This month we present the hymn “Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise”, by the great hymn writer Charles Wesley (1707 – 1788). This hymn is usually sung to the Welsh tune LLANFAIR, attributed to Robert Williams (1782 – 1821), even though some historians have certain doubts about his authorship. This hymn was written for…
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RCO diploma day
My very first job was as an articled accountant in London working a stones throw from Borough Market in a brand new tower block by London Bridge station. That block has since been demolished and on that site now sits the Shard. Who would have though a tower block would become redundant in just 40…
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Organ in a Box
When I came into the office a while back I was greeted with a sight of a Welsh National Opera vehicle parked outside which I assure you is not a frequent sight. On entering the building I found a repair in progress on their travelling Viscount Organ that had recently blown an amplifier driving external…
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![[Hymn of the Month] Jesus Christ is Risen Today](https://viscountorgans.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Blog-feature-Jesus-Christ-is-Risen-Today-196x136.jpg)
[Hymn of the Month] Jesus Christ is Risen Today
For this month’s hymn we have appropriately selected the Christian Easter hymn, “Jesus Christ is Risen Today”. The author is unknown but early manuscripts suggest that the hymn was written in Germany in the 14th century. The hymn is most frequently set to the hymn tune “Easter Hymn” which was composed in the Lyra Davidica…
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Musical Instruments Harmonisation Directive
Some years ago now, the Restrictions of Hazardous Substances EU Directive seemed to threaten the future of pipe organ building as it would have prohibited the use of lead in organ pipes. Happily this was overcome and pipe organ building continues as before but a new issue is on the horizon and set to impact…
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St John’s Smith Square Hire
Those of you familiar with St John’s Smiths Square or steeped in knowledge of the pipe organs of the British Isles will know that SJSS has a very fine Klais pipe organ and so should not be in need of a hire organ. However, things do not always go to plan and so it was…
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Prize Winner Takes Delivery
In 2016 we ran an extensive three month competition to introduce more people to the sound of digital church organs. We developed a Quiz that tested the players as to whether they could identify specific clips of music as a pipe organ or a digital organ. In July last year I had the happy job…
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Annual Conference 2017 – The Scottish Federation of Organists (SFO)
This year’s SFO Annual Conference takes place in the stunning locations of Abbotsford and Melrose in the Scottish Borders. The Borders Guild of Organists are hosting the event and has prepared and exciting and varied programme on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th of May. On Friday there is a guided tour and walk around Abbotsford House, the…
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