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Music » Organ Training


Diocese of Hereford Organists' Training Scheme

  • Is your church lacking an organist for services, weddings and funerals?
  • Have you ever considered learning a challenging and rewarding instrument?
  • Are you an existing organist who wishes to improve technique, improvisation skills or learn new repertoire?
  • Do you find adapting new hymns and worship songs difficult and would you appreciate more training?
  • Would you simply like to find out more about the instrument you play?
SITE HIGHLIGHTS
Geraint Bowen with the choir in the Choir School
Welcome

From Michael Tavinor the Dean
Welcome to Hereford Cathedral. This beautiful building is home of a community which has worshipped...
»More

Sunday 18 May 3.30 pm
Hereford Cathedral
Choral Evensong

Tuesday 20 May 1.15 pm
Hereford Cathedral
Lunchtime organ concert

Picture of Dore Abbey at Abbey Dore in the Golden Valley, Herefordshire
Dore Abbey

 

The scheme, which is inter-denominational, embraces these objectives:

  • To provide the churches of the Hereford diocesan area with a greater number of organists than is presently available.
  • To help existing organists improve their skills so that they are able to serve their church with confidence, enhanced ability, and success.

The scheme offers churches:

  • The opportunity to assist in the training of new organists, who can provide an invaluable service to their church.
  • The opportunity to help existing organists improve their skills at the organ, thus enhancing the quality of worship.

The scheme offers existing church organists:

  • The opportunity to update or improve skills in areas in need of refreshment, with the possibility of sponsorship from your church.
  • The opportunity to provide training for a deputy or assistant organist.

The scheme offers students:

  • The opportunity to transfer existing keyboard skills to a second and exciting new instrument.
  • The opportunity to offer your skills to your local church and become of real value to your local community.
  • The opportunity to sit an assessment to mark your achievements and to obtain recognition for this.
The scheme aims to improve the standard of organ playing in services at all levels of ability, from beginner to diploma standard. Students would be expected to have tuition with an approved tutor at regular periods, either weekly or fortnightly. They would also be expected to undertake an appropriate amount of practice.

It is hoped that churches will sponsor a candidate, providing up to half of the tuition fees. In return the student will be asked to undertake within an appropriate timescale certain organ playing duties for the church. The exact level of these would depend upon the ability and experience of the student and the advice of the tutor. When possible, the student should receive some lessons on the organ of the church concerned, helping him or her to use the instrument to its full capability.

Upon completion of a year's tuition each student is encouraged to sit an assessment. Upon successful completion of an assessment, a certificate recognising the candidate's achievement will be presented at the annual Diocesan Choirs Festival at Hereford Cathedral or at another suitable occasion.

For further information, including details of tuition fees, please contact the secretary:

Anne Jardine
Heligan
The Common
Wellington Heath
HR8 1LT
Telephone: 01531 631445

Director of Studies
Hilary Norris ARCO BA MMus PGCE

Click here to e-mail the DHOTS Secretary.

The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) in the area of Herefordshire and South Shropshire arranges workshops and study days for organists and church musicians generally in which students would be encouraged to participate. At such events students have a valuable opportunity to meet and share experiences with other organists in similar situations. The local secretary is Jill Wesson, telephone 01694 771702.

The Herefordshire Organists' Society also actively supports the scheme. The society meets monthly and arranges recitals, masterclasses, lectures and visits to organs in the county and further afield. There is an annual day outing, usually to a large town or city where several organs are visited. Social meetings are included in the programme and quarterly newsletters are issued giving local news and views and details of events; through the society's affiliation to the Incorporated Association of Organists, a subscription to Organists' Review may be obtained at 25% discount. The secretary is Ian Higton, telephone 01432 273985.

Carlo Curley sat at the Willis Organ

 

Close up of the Willis Organ Console

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



INFORMATION

RSCM
 Incorporated
  Association of
  Organists

Effusion
Terms & Conditions Plain text version of this page