Birmingham Organists' Association

Annual Service
This year's service, with Council Member Jon Payne directing and no less than three organists participating, was a Choral Eucharist for the Presentation of Mary, and included choral music by Britten, Howells and Jonathan Dove.

Improvisation Workshop
Led by our President, with contributions from Council Members Michael Jones, Jon Payne and John Stormont, this was a session of practical advice about "filling-in the gaps" during services.

Organ Crawl to St Alkmund's, St Mary's and Shrewsbury URC
Members gathered in the centre of Shrewsbury to hear & play, respectively, a small 1931 Harrison, a 4-manual 1912 Binns, and a 3-manual 1910 Norman & Beard

Social event: Beer & Skittles at a traditional Black Country Pub
Although the pub was officially closed for the week and there was no draught beer, the Landlord honoured our booking, and we were made very welcome. Excellent buffet, members brought their own beer, and a good time was had by all. The winning skittles team was Nick's Nazards.

Leonard Gibbons Sponsored Conservatoire Student FINAL
After some outstanding playing from all three finalists, adjudicators Dr John Sherer and Prof David Saint awarded the 2011/12 prize to THOMAS KEOGH.

Lecture-recital on 19th century German composers for the organ
HENRY FAIRS, head of Organ Studies at Birmingham Conservatoire, gave an illustrated talk on some of the music of (mainly) Mendelssohn, Schumann & Liszt - and helped us raise funds for Leonard Gibbons awards.

AGM and annual recital
Following the business meeting and buffet lunch, past BOA president CHRISTOPHER STORMONT gave a recital on the Harrison organ at St Michael's that included works by Bach, Franck, Jules Grison, Saint-Saëns, John Stanley and Vierne.

LGF sponsored student event
This year's sponsored Conservatoire student, HANNAH GIBSON, arranged a musical tribute to Jehan Alain, at the time of the centenary of his birth, with contributions from fellow-students and tutors on the cathedral's magnificent Walker organ.

The organ as an orchestral instrument
Recently retired Director of Music, and BOA Council Member, DAVID GRIFFITHS, gave an entertaining talk illustrated with many sound clips using the school Music Room's hi-fi system.
This was followed by bread, cheese & wine.