Showcasing the King of Instruments – Cathedral Organs

Cathedral Organs and Organ Music to be Celebrated

Hereford Cathedral is famous for its Father Willis organ which sits in the nave of the cathedral, but not many people know that it is also home to two more organs.

But this Saturday (27 April)  Hereford’s director of music, Geraint Bowen, his assistant director, Peter Dyke and organ scholar, Jacob Costard will demonstrate all three of these instruments both together and individually.

 This event will include a fun, family-friendly introduction to how an organ works, which includes a special rendition of the Trumpet Voluntary by Geraint using a hosepipe and funnel! Expect it to be noisy.

Geraint Bowen, director of music at Hereford Cathedral said,

“We are fortunate in Hereford to be blessed with the fantastic Father Willis organ which people travel from across the world to listen to and perform on. But whilst this fabulous instrument is so well known, not many people get the opportunity to have an explanation of how it works. If you have ever walked through the cathedral and wondered where the music comes from, why there are so many pipes or why the organist uses their feet and hands, then Guide to the Cathedral Organs is the event for you!” 

Guide to the Organs takes place on Saturday 27 April at 11.30am.

This is just one event in a series of organ recitals, concerts and performances organ at Hereford Cathedral throughout the year which include gala organ concerts and afternoon music in autumn. The free Tuesday lunchtime organ recitals start again on 7 May with Hereford’s organ scholar, Jacob.

Guide to the Organs takes place on Saturday 27 April at 11.30am.

For the full organ programme click here.

Canterbury Cathedral has shared the return of its organ festival with three organ recitals this year which runs from May with dates through summer.

It opens on 24 May with Assistant Director of Music, Jamie Rogers, who will introduce the Cathedral’s organ which was refurbished in 2020 and give a demonstration.

There will also be a chance for keen organists to play a short piece of their choice, time allowing at this open evening.

The programme features Tom Bell, Roger Sayer and Martin Baker and includes music from Interstellar and by Stanford, to mark the 100th anniversary of his death.

This event is un-ticketed and free to attend. Find out more here.

Coventry Cathedral has free organ recitals every Monday lunchtime throughout summer starting on 6 May. They start at 12.30 til 1 and feature a wide range of organists and organ scholars.

Ripon Cathedral has just announced its Summer Organ Festival which will take place every Tuesday throughout June,

The recitals will be held from 7.30-9pm in the nave and feature the cathedral’s Director of Music, Dr Ronny Krippner,  Tim Harper, Assistant Director of Music, Alastair Stone, Assistant Organist, and Katherine Dienes-Williams, Director of Music at Guildford Cathedral. Tickets can be purchased online or in Ripon Cathedral Shop.

Most of our cathedrals host free lunchtime recitals or concerts, so do check out your local cathedral. For organ recitals you can use this handy website: https://www.organrecitals.uk and search by venue.