Organ Explorers Programme
[SUBJECT TO CHANGE]N.B. There will be five organs in St Giles for the duration of the course!
Thursday 31st July
09.30 | St. Giles, Cripplegate
Registration and welcome from Drew Cantrill-Fenwick (Course Director)
10.00 – 11.30 | St. Giles, Cripplegate
Session 1: Repertoire & technique, with Robin Harrison and Pam Hulme
We will be using a brand new organ tutor, written by Drew Cantrill-Fenwick and Robin Harrison. The first session starts the Explorer’s journey, meeting students where they are. Fun repertoire, musical games and relaxed exercises will inspire the next steps.
11.30 – 11.45 Break | St. Giles, Cripplegate
11.45 – 12.30 | St. Giles, Cripplegate
Choir rehearsal, with Robin Harrison and Pam Hulme
This session will begin to prepare students for Choral Evening Prayer on Friday. Singing is an important part of the organist’s journey – allowing the internalisation of melody and harmony, improving ear training and providing an understanding of musical shaping.
12.30 – 13.00 | St. Giles, Cripplegate
Lunch (bring your own)
13.00 -14.15 | St. Giles, Cripplegate
Session 2: Skills and improvisation, with Robin Harrison and Pam Hulme
Improvisation is the fastest way to gain confidence at the organ! Different activities will be tailored to each student’s needs, exploring the incredible variety of sounds on the organ and how to manipulate chords and ostinati. Important new skills and techniques will be incorporated in an engaging way by our expert tutors.
14.15 – 14.30 | St. Giles, Cripplegate
Break
14.45 – 15.45 | TBC
Church visit
17.00 – 17.30 | St. Giles Cripplegate
Informal Concert, with Robin Harrison and Pam Hulme accompanying
Students are encouraged to contribute to a short concert, playing or singing a prepared piece. If you would like to perform on an orchestral instrument, please remember to bring it with you, together you with a copy of the music and any accompaniment. Parents and friends are very welcome!
Friday 1st August
10.00-11.30 | St. Giles Cripplegate
Session 1: Live-looping, with Pam Hulme
Live-looping is the recording and playback of sounds in real-time, and Pam will guide students through fascinating improvisation activities at the organ! To find out more about Live Looping, click here.
11.30 – 11.45 Break | St. Giles, Cripplegate
11.45-12.30 | St. Giles Cripplegate
Choir rehearsal, with Pam Hulme and Hannah Gill
To prepare for the Choral Eucharist on Saturday, with music by Eleanor Daley and David Thorne, as well as some really great hymns!
12.30-13.00
Lunch (bring your own)
13.00-14.30
Session 2: Repertoire & technique, with Hannah Gill and Kate Matthews
Hannah and Kate will lead Explorers through the next steps in becoming organists. Duets will provide even the most inexperienced player with their first experience of playing a complete piece, and all students will prepare for the afternoon Performance Class.
14.30-14.45
Break
14.45-16.15 | Venue TBC
Performance Class, with Anne Marsden Thomas MBE
Anne has written over twenty anthologies of music for organists and is the co-author of The New Oxford Organ Method. She is one of the most experienced teachers in the country and will help Explorers with interpretation, practice methods, registration, pedalling and more.
16.30-17.00
Service Preparation, with Drew Cantrill-Fenwick at St Giles, Cripplegate
We will be singing the following music:
- Plainsong Responses
- Psalm 121 (Rose)
- Hylton Stewart, Nunc Dimittis in C
- Ives, Listen sweet dove
- Hymn: Be thou my vision
17.15-18.00
Choral Evening Prayer at St Giles Cripplegate
Saturday 2nd August
Joint day with the participants of the Full Course
09.45 – 10.15 | St. Giles, Cripplegate (as for all below)
Choir rehearsal, with Drew Cantrill-Fenwick and Anne Marsden Thomas
10.15 – 10.30
Short Organ Explorers performance
All students are encouraged to play a short organ piece or exercise
10.30
Choral Eucharist
Choral Eucharist: click here for more information
- David Thorne, Mass of St Thomas
Alan Bullard, God be in my head - Hymns
11.30
Coffee with parents and other course participants
11.45
Presentation of Certificates of Attendance
12.15
Group photo
12.30
Ends