Early English Organ Project
arrives in Halifax
Two replica 16th century organs from the Royal College of Organist's Early English Organ Project arrived in Halifax Minster on Tuesday 2nd August, rather later than anticipated as, predictably, they were held up on the M1 on their journey from the St Albans Festival. Five members of the Association were there to greet them and to help Dominic Gwynn, who helped to construct them, and his colleague move the various pieces from the two vans in which they arrived and erect them in the church.
The larger Wetheringsett organ was installed on the raised area at the west end of the church and the smaller Wingfield instrument on the north side of the sanctuary. Both organs look and sound magnificent.
They will be used by visiting recitalists, the first of whom will be David Baker when he gives the lunchtime recital on Thursday 25th August, and will also be heard from time to time during services, notably the King James Bible celebration on Sunday 23rd October. An Organ Day planned for Saturday 12th May 2012 will be focused on them.
Details of the organs and the project itself can be found on the RCO site at http://www.rco.org.uk/eeop.php