Organ Appeal
The organ plays a key part in the life of the church and the community. It is used to lead the congregation in hymns, accompanies the choir and plays music before, during and after services. It is also used for occasions such as weddings, baptisms and funerals and village events such as concerts and recitals.
St. Andrew's needed to replace its existing organ, which dated from the Victorian era, in order to significantly enhance the quality of music in our church and for our community.
Many parts of the Walker organ were in a poor state and were failing. The best way forward was install a high quality, modern digital organ, whilst maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the Walker organ.
Not only was this the most cost-effective solution for the church, it was also the best artistic solution.
The total cost of the project, around £16,000, was successfully raised by sponsoring one of the 30 organ stops, donations, grants, social events and the Church.
The Walker Organ
The organ dated from 1883 and is by J.W. Walker & Sons, who are regarded as one of the finest Victorian organbuilders. It was a single manual, eight stop organ and an interesting period piece, with some very good pipework of the period. However, despite regular servicing and maintenance, it was in need of an extensive overhaul and restoration.
Problems with the Walker organ included:
- Notes on both the manual and pedal-board were failing. It was only a matter of time before the instrument failed completely.
- A clunky and inconsistent mechanical action, half-drowning the sound made by the pipes themselves when softer stops were drawn.
- A very limited scope which made it impossible to play large sections of the commonly requested repertoire for occasions such as weddings.
- Limited flexibility and overall power, which made the organ inadequate for the building. The organ was hard to hear at the back of the church and almost inaudible in the north transept.
- Significant repairs were required to the soundboard, diapason, swell, stops, manual, pedal board and bellows.
Consequently, the organ was almost unplayable. It was used only infrequently, with very simplified and unsatisfactory arrangements. Organists resorted to playing the piano so as not to detract from the worship.
The cost of repairing the Walker organ had been estimated at £24,000. However, even when repaired, St. Andrew's would still have been left with an organ capable of playing only a limited repertoire, inadequate for major services and occasions.
The cost of a new pipe organ would have run into six figures.
Vision
The aim of the project was to provide St. Andrew's with a simple, reliable organ to lead the musical life of the church.
The new organ should be of high quality, provide increased musical flexibility, be reliable, reduce maintenance costs and provide a cost-effective replacement for the current organ.
The Walker organ did have some aesthetic value, in particular the existing organ pipes and casing, which any new organ should respect and work with. The new organ should also be sensitive to its surroundings, working with St. Andrew's historic architecture and its liturgy.
We believed the most effective solution was to purchase a new digital organ and integrate it into the existing casing. The pipes of the original organ remain in situ, with the console and mechanics removed and kept in storage.
Following a recommendation by the Organs Advisor to the Diocese of Winchester, we purchased a two manual, thirty stop digital organ, which offers both high quality sound and value for money.
Today's sophisticated digital organ technology means a good instrument is now almost indistinguishable from a traditional pipe organ. Digital organs also have reliable electronics, never need tuning, are unaffected by humidity and temperature changes and come with comprehensive warranties.
The main benefits of the project are anticipated to include:
- A significant enhancement to the quality of music provided to St. Andrew's and the wider community.
- An increased volume and greater flexibility in tone, allowing different moods to be reflected and increasing the enjoyment of the congregation and visitors alike.
- The ability to play a far wider repertoire of music enabling the organ to be used for concerts, recitals and other events, so increasing the range of fund-raising activities.
- A demonstrable commitment by St. Andrew's, encouraging music to flourish in Medstead.
- Consequently, musicians, students and children will be encouraged to play, so helping develop music in the church and the community.
You are welome to come to any of our services to hear our new organ for yourself!
Fundraising
Contacts
For more information on our organ appeal, or to make an offline donation, please contact one of the following:
Rector: The Reverend Ben Flenley
email Ben, or
Telephone: 01420 563218
Fax: 0870 130 4520
PCC Treasurer: Stephen Blackshaw
email Stephen, or
Telephone: 01420 563937
Organ Appeal Group
Adrian Barnes, PCC Member and Organist
email Adrian, or
Telephone: 01420 562854
Patrick Busby, Organist
email Patrick, or
Telephone: 01420 564168
Ian Jurd, Churchwarden
email Ian, or
Telephone: 01420 563533
