MUSIC

Our organ was built in 1997-8 by the Northampton firm of Kenneth Tickell.  It occupies a perfect position on a purpose-built organ and choir gallery at the west end of the church which was constructed as part of the building’s re-ordering in the late 1990s.  At a cost of £110,000, the provision of a brand-new organ (as opposed to patching up the inadequate existing instrument) was a brave decision and a controversial one at the time.  However, the organ is a lasting testament to the vision of those who fought for it and, with planned and sensible maintenance, it will continue to do its job as a liturgical and recital instrument for very many decades to come.

The layout of the organ was conceived in 1994/5 (revised 1997) and Kenneth Tickell’s design incorporates a front case housing the console and Great/Pedal divisions with a separate case behind containing the enclosed Swell division, this being the best way of achieving clarity of sound in an instrument with limited height.  The installation was approved by the diocese in summer 1995 and building began in 1997. The organ has 2 manuals and the key actions are mechanical, with electric stop and combination actions.  The beautiful case is in American oak.  The instrument is very flexible and is at home in music from Bach to Messiaen and, crucially, in leading hymns and the accompaniment of choral repertoire.  Sound transmission is extremely good, and the organ fills the building magnificently.  The action is light and positive, and the organ is universally admired by organists for its ease of use and its tonal variety.

The inaugural recital was given in 1998 by the world-renowned soloist Wayne Marshall.  Wayne has since returned for both the organ’s 10^th and 20^th anniversaries.

In 2020/1 the organ will be dismantled for thorough cleaning, plus overhaul of worn action and winding parts, the first such work in 22 years.