30 June 2022 - This Month's Happy Organ Experiences!

During the week of 20 June, we hosted two separate Grand Organ Experience events to raise money in support of the appeal. On Tuesday, Elaine Beck and her sister Jennifer Bayliss, came to play the organ. Whilst a very musical duo, they didn’t have any previous experience playing the organ. Under the tutelage of our Assistant Director Music, Alexander Hamilton, they were able find out how this ‘King of Instruments’ works, and how to get the best from it. They reported that the experience had been ‘fascinating’!

On Thursday it was Michael Warren’s turn to play the Cathedral organ, this time under the guidance of Jeremy Cole, Director Music. His wife Sally had been looking for a special, unique gift as a birthday surprise. With contributions made by family and friends she booked the evening and kept it a secret from Michael. Already a competent keyboard player, Michael had previously played the organ but never on an instrument on the scale and power of our Cathedral organ. Michael was told about his birthday gift a few days before and so was able to prepare a number of pieces, including some jazz numbers and show tunes. It is not often that the exotic tones of ‘Bali Hai’ are heard wafting down the Cathedral Nave! Most interesting was that Michael played some of his numbers twice, using different sounds as guided by Jeremy Cole. This demonstrated just how flexible, subtle and nuanced the organ can be when the most appropriate stops are being used for a particular piece of music. The evening was an emotional one and a tear or two were shed by his four guests who listened from the Quire.

If you would like to join us at Wells Cathedral for your own Grand Organ Experience please click here for details.

Elaine and Jenny with Assistant Director of Music, Alexander Hamilton, and Precentor, Canon Nicholas Jepson-Biddle

Michael with Director of Music, Jeremy Cole