Ulster Society of Organists and Choirmasters

U.S.O.C. Newsletter - February 1997

ORGANS OF WEST BELFAST : 15th FEBRUARY

Membership of the Society brings many advantages not least of which is its ability to arrange visits to churches and organs to which access for the individual could be difficult. On Saturday 15th February we have organised a mini-tour of three such venues in west Belfast :

Aware that in present circumstances members might be wary of leaving cars in this area, we have arranged transport to all three venues by private coach leaving Belfast Anglican Cathedral (Donegal Street) at 2 45 pm. returning thereto at about 5 30 pm. The charge per person will be £2.50 payable on the bus. Cars can be parked in the Cathedral precincts.

SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW DUE

May I remind you that subscriptions to the Society are payable in JANUARY and that following a decision made at this year's AGM the amount has been increased to £17.50 (£10 for students). Cheques payable to USOC should be forwarded NOW to the Honorary Treasurer (address below) and members paying by bankers order should update their orders.

For the Honorary Treasurer in particular and for the Society in general unpaid subscriptions present a constantly recurring, time-consuming problem so PROMPT PAYMENT WILL BE MUCH APPRECIATED.

ORGANISTS REVIEW

If you are a subscriber, your annual subscription (£10 for four issues) is now overdue and if not already paid should be forwarded immediately to Mr R Bayfield, 25 Rowan Close, Portslade, BRIGHTON, BN41 2PT. If you are not a subscriber to this excellent quarterly publication and would like to consider becoming one I shall be pleased to supply a sample copy.

ULSTER HALL RECITAL

On Monday 17th February at 7 45 pm by Jane Watts. Her programme will include some new items (MacMillan's Cortege Academique, Simon Preston's Vox Dicentis and Popplewell's Elegy) in addition to Bonnet's Etude de Concert, Guilmant's Sonata No 5 and Dupre's Prelude and Fugue in G minor.

A DUTCH TREAT

A unique opportunity to hear some of the wonderful organs in the Netherlands will be provided at this year's IAO Organ Congress: July 29th to August 2nd.
Visits will be made to famous organs in Amsterdam, Haarlem, Utrecht, Den Haag and Alkmaar. Accommodation, meals and transport to the venues are arranged and, of course, direct flights from N Ireland to Amsterdam are available. Details of the congress from Philip Brereton, tel 01706 43575.

KENT IN MAY

Thirty-five members have now enlisted for our weekend air tour to Kent and Sussex. Until February 14th three additional air flight tickets are being held in reserve but will need to be claimed not later than that date. I expect to be in New Zealand between February 16th and March 18th so any enquiries about this (or other USOC matters) would need to reach me before then.

MEMBERSHIP LIST UPDATE

Enclosed you should find a sheet which you can attach to your membership list noting some changes made since its issue. In particular we are delighted to welcome as new members: Steven Maxwell, Edmund Craig, Jane Kidd, Sue Cunningham and Nuala McAllister.

HOW ARE YOUR MARKETING SKILLS?

Also enclosed are two copies of our programme for 1997 - please pass one of them to another organist who might be persuaded by you or by the programme to become a member. And do please remember that all the details given therein are subject to confirmation in the monthly circulars.

VACANT CONSOLE

At Carnmoney Parish church where they have a four-part choir and two-manual Pendlebury organ. Details from Revd N Baylor, tel 01232 844981.

REMINDER TO COMMITTEE

Meeting 7 30, Saturday 1st February, at the Honorary Secretary's retreat. Please let me know if you cannot be present - preferably BEFORE 1st February.

I look forward to meeting you at 2 45 pm in Belfast Cathedral car park on 15th February.

Yours sincerely

RODNEY BAMBRICK

Honorary Secretary

RSB/IAFH
22/01/97

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