Leeds Organists' Association

Phil Wilby writes...

Dear Friends,

I know that for many of us these are extraordinary times, and that we have all been missing regular contact with each other. Organs have been silent, and the exchange of ideas and news has been much missed.

However, thanks to Nick and Charlie, our Website and Facebook portals have been brilliant in their outreach and have been much appreciated by many within the Association and outside.

Many members have sent us organ videos from home. First prize goes to Graham Barber for providing no less than fifteen ‘Organcasts’ of such amazing variety that one can only applaud him for keeping us all so warmly in touch with the King of Instruments!

At our recent committee meeting, held on ‘Zoom’, we shared a number of points of view, including some medical advice and risk assessment. After much discussion , the committee has decided that, although we cannot meet physically, we will keep flying the flag, and run two virtual events in the autumn season which I will outline below.

First, we wish to find a way to run David Pipe’s teaching session titled ‘Sweet Songs of Zion’. The idea is that members who wish to take part should send their playing to Charlie Brown. The repertoire is bounded by hymns, chorales, choruses, and chorale preludes. They can be recorded on a mobile phone, and I will be sending my submission via ‘Wesendit’, a free service available at https://www.wesendit.com/. Charlie will then assemble the items for David to comment on and share with the membership. It will be a technological challenge for many, but a worthwhile one...especially if this pandemic continues into the New Year.

The second opportunity is to make a video version of the Members’ Christmas Recital. The same pattern may apply, using a phone recording and a ‘Wesendit’ transmission to Charlie. He will then put together a short video from LOA to other associations, wishing them well and some hope for the New Year.

It has seemed to many of us that technology has come of age during these testing times. We might find that new doors are opening for our Association and I hope that we can use them to our advantage.

Finally, I hope that everyone saw Darius’s Online Recital for Yorkshire Day. The first live event in the Town Hall since lockdown was an organ concert of Yorkshire composers. You can access the free broadcast here.

Best Wishes, and Play Safe,

Phil Wilby
President, LOA

AGM February 2020

February 2019

November 2018