Celebrating around the world with International Organ Day 2023

Celebrating around the world with International Organ Day 2023


Organs, organ music and organists will be celebrated around the world on International Organ Day on Saturday 22 April 2023.

Now in its fourth year, International Organ Day is promoted by The Royal College of Organists (RCO) to encourage people to explore and enjoy organ music, seek out performances, and support the development of new generations of musicians and enthusiasts.

To mark the occasion, the RCO will be premiering a brand-new edition of its magazine-style programme The Organ Show. Filmed for the first time in front of a studio audience, The Organ Show – Live! will feature a mix of interviews, studio guests, and features including a look at the music planned for the imminent Coronation of His Majesty the King.

Organists around the world are encouraged to use the day to share their music and celebrate their instruments through physical or digital events. Resources including poster templates, ‘how to’ guides, information leaflets for people to take away from events, and videos to show and share are available for event organisers at www.rco.org.uk/internationalorganday

CLICK HERE for event organiser resources and information >>

In addition, everyone with a love of organs and organ music is urged to join in on social media using the hashtag #internationalorganday, and by tagging @InternationalOrganDay on Twitter and Facebook.

RCO Chief Executive Sir Andrew Parmley said: “The role of organ and choral music in our society is evident from those great occasions of state which are broadcast to millions around the world, from the recent Platinum Jubilee and last year’s funeral of Her Late Majesty The Queen, through to this year’s Coronation of King Charles III. But of course these are also the soundtracks of our own personal landmarks and memorable occasions.

“At all such times it becomes clear that the organ is a truly unique and wonderful musical instrument, as inspiring to hear as it is thrilling to play.

“Sadly, far too few people get the chance to experience this more regularly, with long-term trends such as the declines in school music education and church attendance compounded in recent years by the pandemic restrictions which saw so many instruments fall silent.

“With International Organ Day we are encouraging organists around the world throw open the doors, organise local events, invite people in to experience our music, to take to social media, and do whatever else they can to help put this right.

“Only by sharing and celebrating our music with new audiences will we be able to inspire a new generation to embrace what Mozart so rightly dubbed the ‘King of Instruments’.”

The Organ Show – Live! will be filmed at St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge on Saturday 15 April starting at 3pm. Tickets will be available, with booking details published at www.rco.org.uk/internationalorganday in early February.

The Organ Show – Live! will be broadcast on the RCO YouTube channel www.youtube.com/RCOFilms from 8pm BST on Saturday 22 April.

For enquires and questions about the event, please contact internationalorganday@rco.org.uk

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