The PipeLine

Journal of the YDOA

April 2018

Patron Francis Jackson

President Maximillian Elliott 01904 427301

Vice President John Scott Whiteley 01430 861563

Secretary Nigel Holdsworth 01904 640520

Treasurer Cynthia Wood 01904 795204

Membership Alison Bailey 01904 619857

Editor of Tim Jones 07432 187709 ‘The PipeLine’

www.ydoa.co.uk

The York & District Organists’ Association is affiliated to the Incorporated Association of Organists (IAO) and serves all who are interested in the organ and its music. Contents

1. Introduction ...... 3

2. YDOA Programme ...... 4

3. Previous Event with photographs ...... 5

4. Next Event………………………………………………………………11

5. From The Secretary ...... 13

6. From The Archives ……………………..14

7. FJ at 100—a CD recording ………………………….. 16

8. Upcoming Recitals ………………………. ………………………. 18

9. Situations Vacant ………………………………………………….22

10. List of YDOA Presidents………………………………………… 23

2 1. Introduction

Tim Jones

Editor of ‘The PipeLine’

Contact the editor The editor would be pleased to receive any articles for inclusion in the PipeLine or any ideas for potential material. Contact details are as follows: E mail : [email protected] Telephone: 07432 187709 Address: Apartment 58, Piccadilly Residence, Piccadilly,York, YO1 9ST I look forward to hearing from members.

3 2. YDOA Programme 2017-18

IAO Organ Day £10 tickets April Saturday 21st (10:30) Recital by Daniel Cook. Presentations and a Masterclass Masterclass ‘North German Baroque’ by Friedhelm Flamme May Monday 21st (19:00) St Patrick’s RC Church, Huddersfield ‘East Riding Churches by John Loughborough Pearson’ June Saturday 30th (11:00) Presentation. Visits to Ellerker, Scorborough and South Dalton IAO Music Festival July Sunday 22nd — Friday 27th Peterborough ‘The King and Queen of ’ August Saturday 18th (11:00) Visits to Hedon, Winestead and Patrington ‘The General’ 1926 Film accompanied by Leonard Sanderman September Saturday 29th (19:00) St Olave’s Church, York Organ Recital by Robert Sharpe and A.G.M. October Saturday 20th (14:00) All Saints’ Church, North Street, York

4 3. Previous Event

On Friday March 17th members gathered at the Double Tree Hilton (previously The Monkbar) Hotel for the YDOA Annual Dinner. We were pleased to welcome as our guest speaker Peter King, Organist Emeritus at who travelled up from Exeter. Members very much enjoyed Peter’s entertaining and informative after dinner talk which included many interesting stories from his work at Bath Abbey and as a concert and ensemble performer. Particular highlights included details of his encounters with the Royal Family at Bath Abbey and his work with Simon Rattle. We were extremely grateful to Malcolm Smart who provided his “Smart Shop”. Members were able to peruse a selection of musical scores, books and recordings which were able to be purchased for a donation. The donations collected will be used to assist with the Organ Recital Series. Members were able to enjoy socialising both before and after the dinner. I am sure that those who attended are extremely grateful to everyone who worked to make the event possible.

Photographs courtesy of Stephanie Holdsworth

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4. Next Event

Our event for April will be the I.A.O Yorkshire Organ Day. On the following page is a full itinerary of the day which also acts as a booking form. As explained in this months letter form the Secretary members wishing to attend will need to book a ticket. If anyone has not got round to buying a ticket they are asked to send Nigel Holdsworth a cheque as soon as possible.

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12 5. Easter Message From the Secretary

Well, the Easter holidays have started and we've broken up from school. On Monday I started to do some tidying-up work in the garden as the day was warm and dry…. It was inevitably too good to last and I turned the heating back up in the evening and put on my jersey!

Looking forward to the YDOA events coming up in the next few months there really should be something for everyone, and don't forget the regular series of organ concert at St Helens, St Martins and Central Methodist will be getting under way soon.

On 21st April there is the Yorkshire Organ Day and it is happening right here in York. It is a number of years since the last one which was most enjoyable (you might remember there was a visit to Everingham and back for a superb concert in St George's Church).

As the Yorkshire Organ Day gives you a good deal more than our usual programme - it is a full day of events (see the advert page in the PipeLine) and we will be joined by members from other associations; you do need to buy a ticket.

All members of the YDOA automatically qualify for the IAO member-discounted rate of £8. Lunch can be provided for an additional £4 - or you can bring your own should you wish. Many members and friends have already purchased their tickets. If you have got round to this yet, this is a timely reminder to send me a cheque (payable to YDOA).

I look forward to seeing you on the 21st.

With best wishes

Nigel

Easter 2018.

13 6. From the Archives by Nigel Holdsworth

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7. FJ at 100– a CD recording

To mark the 100th birthday of our Patron Francis Jackson, Mark Swinton a former student at the University of York and former Assistant Organist at put together a CD of Francis Jackson’s music played on the organ at St Mary’s , Warwick where Mark is currently Assistant Director of Music. Mark provides us with the inspiration behind the recording.

I first encountered Francis Jackson's music as a teenager, wandering into Chester Cathedral en route from school. The boy choristers were rehearsing in the Quire for , which they happened to be singing alone, and the director of music, starting them off on the canticles, declared "this is a lovely setting." I could tell why: the music was lyrical, a mixture of cheerfulness and wistfulness that said something appropriate about the text whilst suiting the timbre of treble voices. It was clearly a well-known setting to the boys at that time, as they positively relished singing it. The organ part was also striking, being no mere accompaniment but a revelling in the instrument's capabilities. A glance at the music list on the way out afterwards revealed that this setting was by "Francis Jackson." One of the choristers, a fellow King's School pupil some years below me, had already told me about having met this "really old" man, as part of an event held at the cathedral in which he had been a celebrity guest. Soon after this, I was given a CD recording including one of Jackson's organ pieces - "The Archbishop's Fanfare." (When assembling the programme for the present recording, I felt that this piece simply had to be the "curtain-raiser!") The CD notes mentioned only that Francis Jackson had been Organist at York for many years; it just so happened that I was applying to study music at the University of York and upon gaining a place there, I wondered if I might meet this venerable musician, having been told that he still lived in the area and remained active as a composer and organist.

I did not have a long wait: within my first week at York, he came to the university's Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall to rehearse on the organ before recording his Organ Concerto with the University Chamber Orchestra. Invited to assist him at the console during the sessions, I witnessed not only Francis Jackson the composer but Francis Jackson the organist. Though he was then 82 years old, his command of the instrument was wonderfully natural and assured, and his stamina throughout the gruelling sessions was awe-inspiring. The experience was as moving as it was educational, not only because of his endearing personal charm but because the music itself was full of sincere emotion, a refreshing antidote to the angst or emotional sterility I experienced in most other contemporary music. Over the rest of my time in York, I had various further encounters with Francis, attending his ever-popular recitals at the Minster but also bumping into him at other musical events. My Masters year brought with it opportunities to study with him - both his own works and some of his beloved teacher, Sir . These sessions, in addition to providing useful insight, gave me access to revisions he has made to certain works since their publication. We remained in contact thereafter and I will always consider myself deeply fortunate to have known this remarkable man, as have numerous other musicians (including many far greater than myself) over so many years.

One of Francis' enduring qualities is his capacity for fellowship. He recollection of faces, names and events is astonishing, his hospitality is generous and gracious, and he has happily supported causes other than his own. When I returned to York in 2007 to give a recital at the Minster, he was in the audience (though I hadn't programmed any of his music) and he accosted me at the end to present me with a signed copy of his newly-published Sixth Sonata. My reaction- "Francis, I don't know what to say!" - was met with a response that encapsulates his good nature, generosity, common sense and wonderful humour: "Well then, don't say it!"

Each passing decade of his life has been marked in some way or other: a cassette recording in 1987, consisting of recordings made towards the end of his time at , celebrated his 70th birthday; a CD featuring specially-made recordings alongside further archive material in 1997 commemorated his 80th. In 2007, his 90th birthday was marked with a choral concert and a special organ recital by his former York colleague John Scott Whiteley, at which the collection of musical works composed by friends, former pupils and colleagues entitled "Fanfare for Francis" received its first performance. (The collection as published included a CD recording of all the pieces.) In 2017, York Minster hosted a celebratory service and gathering whilst performances of his music were given in concerts and worship services all over the UK. Having nurtured the idea of recording some of Francis' organ music myself, I felt that there would never again be as good a time as now to realise such a project.

In comparison to the tributes of others, this recording may seem something of a "poor man's mite." Indeed, some may not rate it much, when a recording from York Minster might seem more authentic or appropriate. I make no apology for having recorded it in the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick. That is the instrument I currently play, as Assistant Director of Music there: it is somewhat more neo-classical than a late Romantic cathedral organ, but the intrinsic quality of Francis' music (not all of it written for the organ at York Minster in any case) lends itself well to Romantic and Classical designs alike. As Francis himself said to me, all it takes to help music speak well is to "do what the composer tells you to do," expressed on the printed page. I hope that this recording will stand as my personal recognition of Francis' long life and of his inspirational work as a musician. Few of us may be lucky to achieve a 100th birthday; fewer still would be lucky enough to reach it with the physical and mental facilities that Francis still possesses. He is an extraordinary man, whose graciousness and charm make a profound impression on all who meet him. I take tremendous pleasure in paying tribute to him with this CD and hope it will be enjoyed by those who appreciate his music.

Copies are available directly from Mark Swinton - order by writing to 4 Queens Close, Kenilworth CV8 1JR or emailing [email protected]. 8. Upcoming Recitals-April

Friday 06 Minster Christopher Newton 12.30 Monday 09 Wesley Centre, Harro- Graham Barber 13.00 gate Wednesday 11 Simon Headley 13.00

Thursday 12 Simon Lindley 13.00

Friday 13 Justin Luke 12.30

Saturday 14 St Mary, Mirfield Matthew Blaiden 15.00

Wednesday 18 Bradford Cathedral Callum Alger 13.00

Thursday 19 Halifax Minster Nigel Duce 13.00 Friday 20 Leeds Minster Simon Lindley 12.30

Thursday 26 Halifax Minster Charles Edmondson 13.00

Friday 27 All Saints, North St, Edward Hewes 13.10 York Friday 27 Doncaster Minster Jordan English 13.10

Friday 27 Leeds Minster Alan Horsey 12.30

Saturday 28 St Martins, York Phillip Paul 14.00

Saturday 28 Priory Colin Walsh 18.00

Above times are correct at time of going to press . Further details for many of the above can be found on www.organrecitals.com.

18 Bank Holiday Recitals at Christ Church ,Skipton

A number of our members would have attended the recital given by Robert Marsh, of Christ Church, Skipton at Priory Street URC in January. Members may wish to support one or more of the recitals that are given on Bank Holiday Mondays this year. The recitals are as follows all commencing at 11AM

Bank Holiday Monday , 7th May—Jason Lowe (Durham) Bank Holiday Monday , 28th May– Nigel Ogden Bank Holiday Monday 27th August– Robert Marsh

The organ has three manuals and pedal and was built by Harrison and Harrison in 1906. In 1980 Harrison and Harrison moved the console and it is assumed at the same time replaced the electric action. An overhaul was undertaken circa 1999 by John Barnes.

19 Evening Recitals at 2018

Saturday evening recitals at Bridlington Priory.

Saturday 28th April—Colin Walsh Saturday 26th May—Phillip Meaden Saturday 30th June– Martin Setchell Saturday 28th July– Edward Taylor Saturday 25th August—Nathan Laube Saturday 29th September—Ben Morris

Recitals commence at 6PM and last approximately 75 minutes. Admission is £8 but season tickets are available at £40. Admission for under 18s is free.

In 2019 recitalists are to include Daniel Cook and Professor Ian Tracey.

20 Summer Festival

Thursday Evenings at 19.30. Entrance fee £10 or £8 if purchased in advance. Accompanied under 16s admitted for free.

10th July—Jane Watts 17th July– Christopher Herrick 24th July– Alana Brook 31st July– Andrew Bryden 7th August—Tim Harper 14th August—Jamie Hitel 21st August– Francesca Massey

21 9. Situations Vacant

The Priory Church of the Holy Trinity, Micklegate

The Priory Church of the Holy Trinity, Micklegate Advert for Organist

We are seeking an enthusiastic and collaborative self-employed organist to assist with the provision of music at the church. This includes playing at the 11am Sunday Sung Eucharist, on Feast Days, for occasional offices and also other special services.

The church stands in the liberal catholic tradition with a growing community. We are keen to extend the ways in which music contributes to the mission and ministry of the church. The organist will work collaboratively with the Assistant Priest and the Master of Choristers. Holy Trinity Micklegate has recently appointed a Master of the Choristers and eight choral scholars who sing on three Sundays per month. There is an expectation that the organist will be part of the life of the church and assist in growing the congregation. There is also an expectation that the organist will be a communicant.

Fees - the organist will be self-employed and the level of fees will be negotiated.

For more information, please contact The Rev'd Eric Robinson [email protected] or 07964061810

Enhanced DBS checks may be required. 10. List of YDOA Presidents

Founded in 1945 1980s 1945-6 Edward Cuthbert Bairstow 1980-1 Robert Hall 1946-7 Reginald Shephard Rose 1981-2 Michael Latham 1947-8 Archie W Sargent 1982-3 Richard Crosby 1948-9 Francis Alan Jackson 1983-4 Peter Maw 1949-50 H Reginald Mason 1984-5 Eric Grewer

1985-7 David Templeman 1950s 1987-8 Lloyd D Smith 1950-1 Frederick Waine 1988-9 Geoffrey Coffin 1951-2 Reginald Shephard Rose 1989-91 George Pilling 1952-3 Edmund Stanley Walton 1953-4 Benjamin Dawson 1990s 1954-5 Benjamin Summerton 1991-3 Douglas Heath 1955-6 W Allen Bean 1993-4 Nicholas Page 1956-7 George James Stacey 1994-5 David Simpson 1957-8 Joseph Samuel McElheran 1995-6 Alan Aspinal 1958-9 Walter Hartley 1996-7 Peter Whitehead 1959-60 Benjamin Dawson 1997-8 Maureen Murfitt-Swindells 1998-9 Jean Pilling 1960s 1999-2000 Edmund Cooke 1960-1 Bernard J Porter 2000s 1961-2 Ronald Perrin 1962-3 William Addamson 2000-1 Alfred Boddison 1963-4 Alec C Cooper 2001-2 Cynthia Wood 1964-5 Evelyne G Bowmer 2002-3 Edmund Cooke 1965-6 George L Baggaley 2003-4 David Simpson 1966-7 Tom Ward 2004-5 Philip Paul 1967-8 Alec Brodie 2005-7 Phillip Sangwine 1968-9 Michael Minns 2007-9 Andrew Roberts 1969-70 Avena Helen Norfor 2009-11 Adrian Crawford

2010s 1970s 2011-13 Raymond Sturdy 1970-1 Lloyd D Smith 2013-15 Nigel Holdsworth 1971-2 Colin McGarritty 2015-17 Joan Johnson 1972-3 Michael Phipps 2017- Maximillian Elliott 1973-4 Jack Judson 1974-5 Alfred Alcock 1975-6 A Austin Winterbottom 1976-7 Peter Whitehead 1977-8 Ruth Smith 1978-9 Maureen Murfitt-Swindells 1979-80 Geoffrey Hunter

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