Please do post details of concerts, courses and other events into the Calendar
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Union Chapel's Henry Willis organ to be restoredThe Union Chapel in Islington has been given £470,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to repair its organ.The grant will help to restore the machinery and pipe work of the Henry Willis organ, which is Grade I listed on the National Pipe Organ Register.It was built in 1887 and is the only organ of its type in England with its original hydraulic machinery intact.Now in a poor state of repair, it is estimated that the organ has only two to three years of playable life left.Adele gigThe project will also involve a three-year programme of education activities, volunteering opportunities and community outreach work.Sue Bowers, head of HLF in London, said: "The Union Chapel Willis organ is a rare and beautiful instrument at the heart of one of the most loved community venues in North London."This money will mean that this precious heritage asset can be conserved and restored to full working order, so that it can once again entertain and engage audiences young, old and new."Philip Walker, who chairs the Union Chapel Project, said he was "thrilled and slightly overwhelmed".The Union Chapel is known for hosting gigs by acts including U2, Adele and Noel Gallagher while remaining a functioning place of worship.
mechanical to the Choir, 'compressed air' to the Pedal) and blowing equipment - and is also still at its original sharp pitch, which has never been altered! - only serves to reinforce its importance.. . . . but further detail has so far escaped me.
An Edwardian pipe organ that fails "to make the noise you want" is to be restored in Essex thanks to a £416,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.The organ, built for Colchester's Moot Hall, was first played publicly at the hall's official opening in May 1902.A century later a campaign was launched to halt the instrument's deterioration.Councillor Nigel Chapman said he was "delighted this important part of Colchester's heritage is set to be conserved".He added: "You can get a sound out of it, but not the noise you want."Organists won't now play it because it just reflects badly on their skill. Some work was done on it about 50 years ago - but the leather and wood it's made from have just deteriorated."It's a significant part of the character of the Moot Hall and I am extremely excited at the prospect of hearing it played again."The organ was built specifically for the Baroque inspired town hall by Norfolk-based organ makers Norman and Beard, who also created the Norwich Cathedral Organ.Robyn Llewellyn, head of Heritage Lottery Fund East of England, said: "This fine historic instrument is an integral part of the hall and its deterioration has denied concert-goers the chance to hear it for many years."As a unique example of a pipe organ, our funding will not only fund restoration but help local people and schools understand how it was built and the traditional craftsmanship involved."Soon this will all be put right and the organ can be enjoyed by both music and history lovers alike."Restoration of the organ is expected to take up to four years.
There can't be many organs built in 1902 with a Great thus: 16.8.8.4.4.2.IV.8.4 Sub Octave Reeds.