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TEN YEARS ONWhat started, metaphorically and actually, around a kitchen table has now become, in the leaflet you hold, or on its website, an essential part of London's musical scene. The LOCG points out the unsung corners of the capital’s musical life, listing a wealth of organ concerts - all to be found in fascinating architectural and historical surroundings, whether sacred or secular. Over its ten-year history, many who share the aim of the Guide have come on board, using their various skills to transform the original sketchy leaflet of 1995 into the tightly-packed, professionally-produced publication it is today. Made viable by venues' donations and support from sympathetic advertisers (garnered by the top advertising managers in our profession), information is collected by a team of highly-qualified volunteers and prepared for printing by our expert Production Manager; our funds are processed by an honorary Treasurer of senior financial status, and website managed by a similarly sought-after expert. Distribution, initially hampered by the unexplained demise of our first carrier, has been wonderfully managed by a team consisting of friends, relatives, and one very capable, irreplaceable professional singer. What a team it has become! How lucky are the organists of London, to be served by such dedicated people, who strive to bring organ concerts to a wider audience. Recently our advice has been sought by other cities as to how to go about emulating what has been achieved here. Congratulations are due to all for the efforts of the first decade. But where do we go from here? Have we made any difference? After a summer which saw no organ concerts at all in the Proms, arguably the capital's flagship music festival, is organ music doomed to be considered beyond mainstream interest? The Royal Albert Hall is trying to make amends by holding a gala recital on 26th October at 7.45pm, featuring Dame Gillian Weir. Let us hope support for her at this event will be huge, to show the RAH (and the BBC) that there is indeed an audience for the instrument and its music. Recent, almost sell-out organ concerts at the RFH have, evidently, not sufficed to convince concert and network managers of this. Just two weeks later, after the brouhaha we hope for has died down, Dame Gillian has graciously agreed to provide the main attraction as the LOCG holds its tenth birthday party at St Lawrence Jewry. We celebrate in champagne and glorious organ music, and then, talk about what next. For we need to convince our audiences, and then their friends, and then some, that we are not just a group of geeks to be sidelined - we are right to value this part of our artistic heritage. The music, as well as its instruments in their surroundings in some of Europe’s finest buildings, deserves our advocacy. Come and join us on 9th November at 6.30 and bring your ideas, but above all, come and celebrate with us. (For ticket information see panel.) Our Winter edition always features interesting concerts, though never as many as in the warm summer months. However, if you can wrap warm against the draught of cold churches and stay out in the dark evenings we suggest there are many events well worth the effort despite the seasonal discouragements. Happy listening to all our readers. And here's to the next ten years. Catherine Ennis |
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Any comments or corrections: webmaster@londonorgan.co.uk Click here for information about advertising in the London Organ Concerts Guide Last updated: 05 May, 2008 |
