Built in 1962 to a design by Peter Hurford the then Master of the Music at the Cathedral, and Ralph Downes the designer of the organ in the Royal Festival Hall, ours was the first twentieth century organ in an English cathedral in the to be built on classical principles.
Since then it has been heard in rehearsal and at services and concerts on almost every day of the year. The organ is at the heart of every aspect of the Cathedral’s musical life and, as the “king of instruments”, plays a pivotal role in the St Albans International Organ Festival – which enjoys a world-wide reputation.
Now, however, the organ has fallen silent. A major programme of restoration was initiated in August 2007 when it could be delayed no longer, and the instrument is currently undergoing extensive repair and restoration by the original builders, Harrison & Harrison in Durham. Our objective is to restore our organ to its original condition while enhancing its versatility in support of the Cathedral as a place of worship and a centre of musical excellence.
The restoration of the organ includes tonal enhancements, adjustments to the console, finishing of the cases and new façade pipes, new soundboards, and full releathering of the wind system plus a new Nave division.
The total cost of the work is £830,000. Through donations to the organ restoration fund and other gifts, the St Albans Cathedral Music Trust has been able to allocate £465,000 enabling the contract to be signed and work initiated. However the need to close the gap on the total cost is urgent. You can help to reawaken the organ by sponsoring a pipe.
Once restored, our organ will contain over 4,500 pipes. They vary in length from half an inch to a massive 32 feet. The smallest are just as important as the largest. Each plays its own part in producing the glorious mixture of sounds which the organ offers.
Sponsor a pipe operates in the same way. Individual donations combine to cover the cost of the restoration. Single pipe sponsorship ranges from £25 for a small pipe to £300 for the largest pipes. There is also scope to sponsor an entire ‘stop’ each containing 58 pipes.
You can sponsor a pipe in memory of a departed friend or relative, in thanksgiving for a special event, as an unusual gift, or simply for yourself. Families, schools and groups can help too by sponsoring a pipe jointly. Donors will:
To sponsor a pipe, please download and print out this form, complete it and send it to:
St Albans Cathedral Music Trust
The Deanery, Sumpter Yard
St Abans, Herts ALl 1BY
Telephone: 01727 890228
Fax: 01727 890227
Email: music-trust@stalbanscathedral.org.uk
“Our Harrison & Harrison organ stands at the heart of one of England’s greatest cathedrals where it sustains and enhances our worship, is responsive to an artist’s individuality and plays a pivotal role in the St Albans International Organ Festival with its world-wide reputation for prestigious organ competitions.
It is a remarkable instrument now in need of complete restoration and to do this we need £830,000. I do hope you will make a donation to the Organ Restoration Fund and join us in helping to support the Cathedral as a centre of musical excellence.”
Andrew Lucas
Master of the Music
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