David Pipe (pictured above and to right) heads the new Organists Training Programme, a partnership between the Diocese of Leeds Music Department and the Royal College of Organists. David studied Music as Organ Scholar of Downing College, Cambridge, and later as a postgraduate at the Royal Academy of Music. He worked at York Minster, for the last six years as Assistant Director of Music, before joining the Leeds team in May this year as Director of the Organists Training Programme and Cathedral Organist.
Use of any Cathedral Organ for teaching is never easy and the same is true at Leeds where a busy service and prayer schedule means that playing at all let alone loud is restricted to short time intervals through the day.
So we are delighted to have agreed to make available our Envoy 35-F instrument (pictured right) on loan to David to ensure the school can get underway following the launch this coming weekend. This instrument was used for the lectures and demonstrations during the first Diocesan Music Day on June 25th and moved a short distance thereafter to a permanent position for teaching. It has already allowed over twenty children and five adults to start organ lessons and we hope it will provide e a real stimulus to get even more people engaged and enjoying playing the King of Instruments.
The Diocese of Leeds’ Organists Training Programme has been set up to follow the success of the Schools Singing Programme, the largest church programme of choral music for young people in the United Kingdom, which comprises some 3,000 children meeting weekly. The Organists Training Programme will provide organ lessons for as wide a range of pupils as possible, promoting the organ and ensuring future generations of organists for churches and beyond.
Alongside the fine Klais organ in Leeds Cathedral, the Programme will make the most of other instruments in the Diocese, including the stunning new Slovenian Skrabl organ in St Patrick’s, Huddersfield and of course the instrument we have provided. Our instrument will feature a Theater Organ style which might perhaps attract musicians of a more liberal taste to explore what fun they can have with 2 manuals and a pedal board at their disposal.
Teaching will be led by David Pipe (Director of the Organists Training Programme and Cathedral Organist). Lessons of 30 minutes or one hour will be available at a rate of £40 per hour. If you are interested please contact David directly at davidpipe@dioceseofleedsmusic.org.uk
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.
