Your RCO event details can be found below.
Please note that the 24-hour clock is used on all event listings, with all times being GMT/BST. To book courses and classes, please follow the Book Online link wherever you see it, and email bookings@rco.org.uk or call 020 3865 6998 with any queries. Where events are free or not bookable online, please follow the instructions for that event.
OrganFest is a collaboration between the three UK bodies which represent organists and organ studies: BIOS, the IAO and the RCO. A general timetable is given here, with booking links below. Complete details can be found at www.organfest.org.uk/
Friday 6 September, 19.30
Recital at Eglwys Dewi Sant by Gerard Brooks (President of the College from July 2019), who plays an ideal programme of Bach and Mendelssohn, and English and French works for this distinguished Henry ‘Father’ Willis organ of 1887. In association with Cardiff Organ Events.
Saturday 7 September, 11.00
David Pipe introduces the Peter Collins organ (1982) of the city’s iconic St David’s Hall and amongst other works performs Bob Chilcott’s Mr Majeika and the Magic Organ (for narrator and organ), based on Humphrey Carpenter’s popular children’s story.
Music from Harry Potter and Star Wars is also on the bill, and this family concert will be followed by Jeremy Sampson and the Wooden One-Octave Organ for Young Technologists (WOOFYT) – a fascinating, hands-on experience for children which introduces them to the principles and mechanics of the organ. Viscount Organ Wales (www.viscountorgans.wales) will have an instrument in the foyer throughout the morning for audience members to play. In association with St David's Hall, Cardiff.
Saturday 7 September, 14.30
Gerard Brooks, in his second OrganFest recital, plays Bach, Franck and Widor on the beautiful 1894 Henry Willis organ at the city’s Parish Church, St John the Baptist. In association with Cardiff Organ Events. Talks by the organising institutions take place in addition to this concert.
Saturday 7 September, 19.30
Gala organ recital at Llandaff Cathedral by international concert organist and improviser par excellence David Briggs. David’s programme explores the recently installed and acclaimed organ by Nicholson & Co., and will include a large-scale symphonic improvisation on Welsh melodies. In association with Llandaff Cathedral. To be recorded by BBC Radio 3 for future broadcast.
Sunday 8 September, 11.00 (and repeated at 12.00)
Recital and talks at The National Museum, Cardiff. In a session entitled ‘The Temple of Tone’, Robert Court (Cardiff University Organist) and Andrew Renton (Keeper of Art, National Museum Wales) illustrate the history of the Williams-Wynn Organ and discuss some of the other exhibits in this remarkable gallery. In association with the National Museum, Cardiff.
In addition to two historic Willis organs, a beautiful Snetzler, and the organs of St David's Hall and Llandaff Cathedral, OrganFest will also offer a chance for delegates to play on the following organs on Saturday 7 Sept and the afternoon of Sunday 8 Sept: St Andrew & St Teilo (Vowles, 1900; Hindmarsh, 1974); St Peter's RC Church (Späth Orgelbau, 2006); Tabernacl Chapel (Griffen & Stroud, 1907); and Cardiff Masonic Hall (Griffen & Stroud, 1907). St Andrew & St Teilo also stores the original pipework, console, and action of a Mutin/Cavaillé-Coll, c.1903. More details of ‘open consoles’ will be given in the OrganFest literature and on the OrganFest website.
Open Consoles - Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 September
In addition to the venues playing host to OrganFest events, a number of other Cardiff buildings with interesting insturments have kindly thrown open their doors so the organs can be explored and played at designated times. Please note it will be necessary to book a session at registration on Friday 6th September.
Session 1: Saturday 7 September, 8.30-10.30am Tabernacl Welsh Chapel, The Hayes.
Session 2: Saturday 7 September, 4-5pm Masonic Hall, Guildford Street.
Session 3: Sunday 8 September, 2-3.30pm St Andrew & St Teilo, Woodwille Road; and St Peter, St Peter's Street.
Tickets by concert and two types of season ticket (with and without return coach travel from central Cardiff to Llandaff Cathedral) are now available from the St David’s Hall box office at:
or by phoning 029 2087 8444.
The St David’s Hall OrganFest page can be found at:
www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk/whats-on/organfest-2019/
For RCO courses and classes, the following key is used as a guide to level and suitability:
Beginner (Grades 1-4)
Intermediate (Grades 4-6)
Advanced (Grades 6-8 / CRCO)
Diploma 1 (CRCO–ARCO)
Diploma 2 (ARCO–FRCO)