The AGM
The Annual General Meeting of our Society took place on Saturday 19th January 2002 at First Presbyterian Church, Bangor Road, Holywood, by invitation of our member Charles Maginnes. Of the decisions taken, at least one was momentous - the election of Rodney Bambrick as our President. No one in USOC can be unaware of the terrific work Rodney has done for the Society over more than twenty years as Honorary Secretary. Those of us who served on the committee know at first hand just how much he did, in day-to-day administration, coaxing and cajoling hotels, airlines and bus companies for the annual tour, seeking out and befriending new members attending their first meeting. To so many people, Rodney is USOC and his elevation, after much persuasion, is richly deserved.
The President asks members for their continuing support, especially in the following ways:-
attendance - the year's programme aims to contain something for everyone. Please support the monthly meetings. (Copies of the programme for 2002 are enclosed)
recruitment - the Society exists for all who are interested in the organ and/or in choral music, yet many people have either not heard of us or think that they are not qualified to join. New members are always welcome. (Copies of the publicity leaflet are enclosed - please pass them on)
talk - members are urged to make their wishes known, so that the Society's programme may reflect the tastes of the maximum number.
On his retirement from Bangor Grammar School, Ian Hunter has also retired from producing the monthly bulletin to members. In appreciation of all he has done, the Society elected him to Honorary Life Membership and made a presentation. Ian wrote to me after the meeting and asks me to express his thanks to the Society. We wish him well for the future.
The Society elected the following to serve on the Committee:
William Adair, Rachel Adams, Barbara Callender, Michael Callender, Charles Harrison, Eileen Kerr, James Little, Geoffrey McConnell, Ivan Millen, Timothy Wilson.
Vice Presidents: David McElderry, Michael Tregenna
Honorary Secretary: David Drinkell
Honorary Treasurer: Alastair MacLaughlin
Honorary Auditor: John A Wright
Subscriptions
Despite increased IAO capitation, the subscription remains at £17.50 (students £10.00, overseas members £5.00) and is now due. If members feel moved to make an extra donation to the Arthur Beggs Travel Fund, this will be gratefully received by the Treasurer. If you haven't paid, please do it now, and save the Society time and money in sending reminders!
Membership
The Membership List is currently being updated. Please return the slip provided to the Honorary Secretary if your circumstances have changed, especially if you have an e-mail address, have moved house or church post or are available to deputise.
We welcome to membership Brian K Clements, who assists Gerald Hill at St. Columba's, Belfast, and is one of Michael McCracken's Diocesan Organ Scholars at Down Cathedral.
ORGANISTS' REVIEW
As a member of USOC, you are entitled to a concessionary rate when subscribing to Organists' Review. At £14 for four issues, this is terrific value for money. The Review has got steadily bigger and better over the last few years and is certainly the best journal of its type available. If you don't already subscribe, you should!
FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
Saturday 9th February 2002 - NEW SOUNDS Saint Molua's Church, Stormont 3.00pm
Our member Stephen Hamill's fame as a recitalist spreads far beyond these shores. What many people may not know is that he was trained as an electrical engineer. Combining such talents, he has for the last few years been busy both as a recording engineer and a designer and builder of electronic organs. His company, Phoenix Organs, has installations in Larne Methodist Church and Sinclair Seamen's Church in Belfast, among other places, and a major commissions is the complete rebuilding of the Makin Nave Organ in Liverpool Cathedral. Many will have encountered the massive Phoenix organ (complete with Pedal 64' Serpent!) in concert at the Waterfront Hall and elsewhere (Carlo Curley gave a memorable evening on it at Bangor Abbey last summer).
At St. Molua's Stephen will talk about recent developments in this field and demonstrate the instrument. There will also be an opportunity for discussion and a chance to play.
The resident organ at St. Molua's, a two-manual Smethurst, has recently been supplied with new transmission by the Abbey Organ Company.
St. Molua's Church stands almost opposite the Parliament Building at the top of the Newtownards Road. It is one of the most interesting post-war churches in the Province, designed by Hanna and influenced by Sir Basil Spence's Coventry Cathedral. It has excellent acoustics and the music there has been ably directed for many years by our member, Jim Drennan. The Rector, the Revd. W David Humphries, is also a member of USOC. The church is easily recognised from the road by its three pagoda-like spires.
Saturday 23rd March - BANGOR TONICS - Bangor Academy 3.30pm
The President writes: Although the theatre organ should have disappeared with the advent of the sound film, it didn't, and today there are still thriving theatre organ societies in the UK, USA and other countries. Of the younger generation of British players, one of the very best is SIMON GLEDHILL and at our meeting on Saturday 23rd March he will present a lecture/demonstration on the art of theatre organ performance. Then, at 7.30 that evening his remarkable skill in this medium will be displayed at a public concert which will include the accompaniment of a silent film (Harold Lloyd in "I do!").
Both events will be held at Bangor Academy (formerly Gransha High School), which houses the three manual Compton once a feature of the Tonic Theatre in Bangor, and now the only theatre organ in playable condition in the Province.
In the hope that you will wish to attend both the afternoon lecture/demonstration and the public concert in the evening, the afternoon meeting will start at 3.30pm and arrangements have been made for a meal to be served at the Stables Restaurant in Groomsport at 5.30pm at a charge of £10.00 per person. This will allow people time to travel the short distance to Groomsport and to return to the school for the concert. Reservations need to be made for the meal, so please use the reply slip provided and return it to the Honorary Secretary by Saturday 16th March. For the concert, tickets (£5.00) will be available at the door. (Don't leave it too late - the place fills up fast! Hon. Sec.)
Bangor Academy is in Gransha Road. Coming from Belfast, turn right at the third roundabout on the ring road (Circular Road).
Saturday April 13th - CHORAL AND ORGAN MUSIC AT KILMORE, CO. ARMAGH 7.30pm
Kilmore Parish Church is a surprisingly large and ancient foundation, incorporating a Celtic round tower inside the present one. In the west gallery is the organ which William Hill & Son built for Holy Trinity Church, Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin in 1865. When Holy Trinity closed in 1919, Telfords' moved the organ to Kilmore, replacing a small Walker organ now nearby at Lisnadill. There have been minimal changes and the instrument is of outstanding historical importance. It is also a magnificent musical instrument and has been restored by the Wells-Kennedy Partnership.
At this evening meeting, our member Philip Elliott MA, FRCO, of Hillsborough Parish Church will demonstrate the organ and the Lowry Singers, conducted by our member Earl Moffitt, will provide choral music.
4th-6th May - MUSIC IN THE MIDLANDS
The Society's annual "overseas trip" centres on the Birmingham area. Among the instruments to be visited are the brand-new 4 manual Klais in Symphony Hall, Birmingham, which will be demonstrated by the resident organ scholar. Other visits in process of negotiation are to St. Chad's RC Cathedral, Birmingham (modern 3m Walker in stunning west gallery Gothic case), Lichfield Cathedral (4m Hill/Harrison), Leicester Cathedral (4m Harrison and 1m Pels - organist our member Jonathan Gregory), Oakham Parish Church (new 2m Kenneth Tickell), Oakham School (new 2m Peter Collins), De Montfort Hall, Leicester (3m Taylor: an absolutely outstanding and little-known concert organ - including Tuba and 32' reed - by the local firm), Coventry Cathedral (4m Harrison - reckoned to be the finest of its period), St. Mary's Collegiate Church, Warwick (3m Nicholson including both west and chancel organs - seven divisions in all), Rugby School (new 4m Kenneth Jones). This opportunity to visit such a wide spectrum of fine instruments should set your mouth watering. Those wishing to take part should fill in the form (yet another one!) and send it to the Treasurer by the end of February, together with a deposit of £50. The balance will fall due at the end of March.
EVENSONG FOR ASH WEDNESDAY (13th FEBRUARY) ST. PETER'S, ANTRIM ROAD, BELFAST 8.00pm
The Priory Singers, directed by Harry Grindle with Norman Findlay at the fine Hill, Norman & Beard/Wells Kennedy organ, will sing at St. Peter's on Ash Wednesday. The music will include items by Byrd, Morley, Weelkes, Allegri (the famous Miserere), Purcell, S.S. Wesley and Howells. Your secretary accompanied this choir a few months ago and can assure members that the singing was well up to Harry's exacting standards. This should be a very moving occasion in one of the Province's most beautiful churches.
SATURDAY 2ND MARCH - STUDY DAY AT ST. MARTIN'S
The Connor/Down & Dromore Diocesan Organ Scholarship Scheme is holding a study day at St. Martin's Church, Newtownards Road, Belfast on Saturday 2nd March, to which members of USOC and friends are invited. The day will be presented by Michael McCracken and David Drinkell and the topics covered will include extemporisation and choral music for Ascension and Whitsun. The day starts at 10.30am and ends at 2.30pm. Lunch will be provided (and it's all free!).
ULSTER SOCIETY OF ORGANISTS AND CHOIRMASTERS
ULSTER SOCIETY OF ORGANIST AND CHOIRMASTERS
Please notify any changes for the Membership List
Name _____________________________________________________________
Degrees/Diplomas ___________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________ Post Code __________
Phone __________________ E-Mail ____________________________________________
Church Appointment _________________________________________________________
Availability to Deputize (circle where appropriate) WDO (weekdays only) SO (Sundays only) SE (Sunday Evenings) WDS (weekdays and Sundays) NA (not available)
Please return this form to
David Drinkell, 87 Orangefield Road, Belfast BT5 6DD
ULSTER SOCIETY OF ORGANISTS AND CHOIRMASTERS
BANGOR TONICS - SATURDAY 23rd MARCH
Please book _____ places for a meal at The Stables, Groomsport
Name _______________________________________________
Participants should return this slip (by 16th March) to
David Drinkell, 87 Orangefield Road, Belfast BT5 6DD
ULSTER SOCIETY OF ORGANIST AND CHOIRMASTERS
MUSIC IN THE MIDLANDS - MAY 4th - 6th
Please reserve _____ places on the Society's tour of the Midlands.
I enclose a deposit (£50.00 per head, cheques payable to USOC) for £______
Name _____________________________________________________
Participants should return this slip (by 28th February) to
Alastair MacLaughlin, 16 Malone Hill Park, Belfast BT9 6RD
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