A warm welcome to our Association

Whether you love listening to this fabulous instrument or enjoy playing it, we welcome you to join us, the Suffolk Organists' Association. Each year we publish a Journal. We offer opportunities to visit churches throughout the county and further afield, recitals and lectures.

We offer bursaries and advice to those of any age who would like to advance their abilities with the instrument. Please note that the deadline has been extended for this year from 30 April so we will welcome applications from you for funds that would aid you in advancing your expertise.

Our Association reached its 90th Anniversary on February 10 this year.

This is a milestone of which all members past and present can be most proud.

Dates for your diary:

Our visit to Drinkstone and Thurston was a resounding success. Read more about it in Recent Events!

23 November 2024 Stowmarket Parish Church Christmas Fair Organ Music by SOA members 9am to 3pm

This is becoming a tradition for the Association where we play for the start of their festivities. The church was as spectactular as ever with a huge number of meticulously decorated christmas trees to delight the flock of people who came into the church. The cafe was in full swing for eating of fine cakes and drinking and we were immediately welcomed by the parishioners. The visitors and members of the parish were not to be disappointed as the six hours was filled with entertaining music on an organ in reasonable repair though it is understood they are raising funds to bring it into full working order.

The day as has happened before for the past few years was expertly organised by Nicholas Jardine through the lady who welcomed us from the parish, Maggie Moore. Very kindly she gave each of the participants a parting gift. Nicholas Jardine played the first hour, followed by Stephen Hogger, then Barry Palmer. At midday, Andrew Garfath-Cox played, ably aided by Nicholas who turned his pages, then Hugh Singleton and in the final hour was Tony Dunn. Each offered to play for one hour so there was an abundance of music of different styles and eras to listen to. Next year put it in your diary as you will welcomed by the many people who flow through the warm church and the cafe inside the building.

MASTERCLASS Peter Crompton at Royal Hospital School 14.30 19 October 2024

Come along and join us! Click here for details

A report about the afternoon will follow.

Saturday 16 November 2024 Annual Lunch at The Fox Inn Newbourne at 12.30 and a talk by Roger Pulham

A very enjoyable lunch, organised by the President, Robert Waller, was held at The Fox Inn, Newbourne. Fifteen members were present: Stephen Hogger, Ann Little, Rosemary Caudell, Barry Palmer, Alan Loader, Dave, Tony Dunn, Nicholas Jardine, Andrew Garfath-Cox, Miriam Ellis, Roger Pulham, Robert Waller, Brian Crawford, Gordon and Juliette Adams.

After lunch served by the staff of The Fox with characteristic hospitality and good service, we repared to the Village Hall where we listened intently to the illuminating talk by our Treasurer, Roger Pulham about the period through which Charles-Marie Widor was working and the events happening around him at that time. If you were unable to come you can read Roger's notes and see a few of many photographs he used to illustrate his theme. We are grateful to the Village Hall Committee for allowing us to use the building for this presentation in a warm environment on a cold autumnal but dry day.

Click here

Andrew Garfath-Cox Hon. Web Administrator and a Past President

NEWS..news...

MASTERCLASS... MASTERCLASS...

Coming up on the 19th October 2024 will be another Masterclass given by Peter Crompton on the Grand Organ of Royal Hospital School. This follows on in the tradition of the last two years, the first at St. Mary the Elms with Colin Walsh, Organist Emeritus of Lincoln Cathedral, and last year at St. Matthew's Church, Ipswich with Daniel Moult. All of these well renowned organists have a passion for inspiring future generations of players with their tremendous enthusiasm for and talented performance on the instrument. This is a marvellous opportunity to learn more whether you have come to the earlier masterclasses or would like to join in for your first time. Please click target="_blank" >MASTERCLASS for further details.

Journal 122 published

We are most grateful to James Crowe for his production of this Journal which should now be in your hands. It records the life of the Association in the year 2016 when Andrew Garfath-Cox handed the baton on to Ann Little on 21 May 2016. You will enjoy reading this most comprehensive and well researched volume!

Journal 126 published

We are most grateful to Nicholas Jardine, President of SOA for producing this Journal which records this rather problematic period where all the events of 2020/2021 in his year of office had to be cancelled but fortunately Nicholas revived many of his planned activities and organised still more in his second year of tenure. We are most grateful to him for this valuable record.

Journal 127 published

Another excellent resumé of the last year's events has been prepared by immediate Past-President William Baldry. We thank him and his contributors for news of the vibrant life of the Association.

Journal 128 published

Immediate Past President Alan Loader has created a most interesting and informative summary of the many excellent events he organised during last year's events. We thank him and his contributors very much for these valuable insights into the activities of our Association.