OrganNewWye Issue 1
Newsletter for the Wye organ tuition project
The project
The aims of the project are to introduce people with some keyboard skills to the organ and develop their musical abilities with this instrument. The project, centred on Wye Methodist Church, is organised with the help of the Royal College of Organists and ArtServe a Methodist charity. Those joining the scheme for tuition are recognised as RCO students.
Practical arrangements
Monthly teaching sessions take place in the Chapel and, thereafter, students will have, by arrangement, the opportunity to practice on the Chapel instrument, a new Viscount Cadet having two manuals and a pedal board. Those wishing to join the project should contact Geoffrey Chapman.
OPENING EVENT
PLEASE NOTE: FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE OPTED TO RECEIVE ORGAN TUITION THE INAUGURAL MEETING WILL BE AT WYE METHODIST CHURCH AT 7.00PM ON TUESDAY FEBRUARY 16TH WHEN TOM BELL WILL BE PRESENT TO MEET WITH YOU ALL FOR AN INFORMAL DISCUSSION AND SET OUT THE ARRANGEMENTS.
Our Tutors
Mr Tom Bell, an accomplished concert organist, is sponsored by the Royal College of Organists to train organists, and works across Kent with those, preferably but not necessarily, having some keyboard skills already.
Mr Robin Stalker, organist for Cade Road Methodist Church, Ashford assists with the project and, in particular helps people understand the layout of an organ and encourages their early encounters with the instrument.
The Newsletter
Initially, the Newsletter OrganNewsWye is to be an ‘occasional’ publication issued, not on a regular basis but, as and when circumstances dictate. Its role is to provide updates, to reiterate our aims and to advertise organ based events relevant to this project. It will be sent to all participants in the project, cost free and to any other people indicated to the Editor as welcoming it. Not least its roles include encouraging newcomers to join the project and detailing progress we have made. Those who receive the Newsletter are urged not to keep it but to pass it around to different acquaintances for each issue so as to raise interest in the project more widely. The Newsletter will be e-mailed copyright free and recipients are welcome to print and distribute multiple copies. Anyone participating in the project is welcome to offer their comments for publication subject to the Editor’s decision.
Local events
Saturday 5th March 2016 at All Saints Church ,Maidstone, Anne Marsden Thomas under the sponsorship of RCO will lead ‘A day of learning for the organ’.
For details see www.kcoa.co.uk
At a date yet to be decided Tom Bell will prepare an ‘Organ Day’ for Wye.
Project managers
This organ scheme is jointly managed by Rev.John Makey and Dr Geoffrey Chapman.