Viscount provide 3 practice organs to Oundle for Organists
For many years now the name of Oundle has been well known in the organ world for running teaching courses specifically aimed at young musicians. I first was involved over 20 years ago when I sponsored individual recitals which were part of the course activities.
Oundle for Organists Summer School is an inspirational course for young organists during the Oundle International Festival. The Summer School runs for six days alongside the Oundle International Festival and is aimed at organists around the age of 14-22 who are at or very near grade 6 standard or above. The School have many distinguished tutors who will help the students with technique, keyboard skills, and making music in both concert and liturgical settings.
About ten years ago now I ceased my association so it is very nice to once more be able to assist the Oundle mission of introducing and engaging young musicians with the joys of the organ. This year we have provided 3 instruments based in the residential accommodation to provide the resident students easy access to practice instruments. A couple of these instruments (Envoy 23-S and Chorum 40) can be seen in the picture below.
There are 2 fine pipe organs in Oundle. One pipe organ is in the school chapel and another organ in the Jesus Church. These are close but not on campus so the addition of 3 instruments in the boarding house will be very useful.
On these very warm summer evenings it will be interesting to learn how many students diligently practice or choose to chill out in other ways.
Join the festival and listen to Recitals
The Oundle International Festival is a 9 day arts festival which incorporates music, theatre, film and Party at the Wharf. This year the festival runs from 7 – 15 July 2017. Oundle for Organists take an active part in the festival and provides some recitals that the public can attend.
To find out more about the festival events and specific organ recitals check out their programme on the festival website. Below are three recitals provided by Oundle for Organists:
WEDNESDAY 12 JULY 1pm at Oundle School Chapel
Lunchtime Recital – Christian Lane (Tickets £6)
Winner of the 2011 Canadian International Organ Competition and director of Boston Organ Studio, Christian Lane is one of America’s most accomplished, respected and dynamic concert organists. A wide ranging programme includes music by Buxtehude, J S Bach, Mendelssohn, Ned Rorem, Percy Whitlock, James MacMillan, Guy Bovet and Thierry Escaich.
THURSDAY 13 JULY 10pm at Jesus Church
The Art of Alternatim – Plainchant and Organ – Matthew Martin (Free event with retiring collection)
A moving candlelit performance in which Matthew Martin, composer, organist and Director of Music at Keble College, Oxford, will play and improvise, while the students on the Oundle for Organists Summer Course will sing plainchant between the organ pieces.
FRIDAY 14 JULY 4pm at St Mary’s Church, Titchmarsh
Tea-time Organ Recital – Gordon Stewart (Free event with retiring collection)
Gordon Stewart, one of this year’s tutors on the Oundle for Organists course, shows the range and versatility of St Andrew’s Church’s newly refurbished Lewis organ. Stewart’s programme includes works by J S Bach, Mendelssohn and César Franck, as well as a nod to Bastille Day with Claude Balbastre’s Marche de Marseillois et l’Air Ça-ira.
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.
