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.

Members will be delighted to have received our SOA Journal 120 edited by James Crowe and thank him for his stewardship of this excellent publication.

Two dates to keep in mind; recitals by our members: Peter Crompton at Frinton Church of the Sacred Heart and St Francis 2.30 pm Sunday 7 April 2019; Saturday 13 April 2019 7.30pm St. Andrew's Church Chelmondiston by Ben Banks (Organ) with Taylor London (Voice)

The winners in the Organ Competition on Saturday 22 September 2018 were Recital Class: Jamie Robertson. Advanced Class: Alexander Evans Transitional Class: Alex Taylor Beginners Class: Hannah Meeks Most promising Student Class: Alex Taylor.

Congratulations to our youngest member – Alex Taylor – on gaining Grade 5 Organ. In the same exam session he also gained Grade 5 Guitar both with Distinction!

Your President, Roger Green writes: "Please feel free to contact me if you want to talk about anything relevant to the Association or to organs. I’d welcome contact from you". Happy playing, Roger

Details of up-coming events can be found in the 2018-2019 CALENDAR.

Members will enjoy the East of England Organ Day at Royal Hospital School on Saturday which this year has the theme of music for the movies. Details below.

Monday Organ Recitals at Royal Hospital School 1.30pm

These are attended by a loyal but small band of people listening to excellent recitalists. Come along too! A recent recital was by Andrew Cantrill-Fenwick, a former member of the SOA Council but who has relocated to the North of England. His tenure as Organist of the Royal Hospital School Chapel organ gave us the opportunity to hear sounds from this romantic organ which were unique to him and his command of the instrument made it the perfect vehicle for a wonderful programme of a great variety of styles and colours.

Deaths of Members during 2018

It is with great sadness that we report the recent deaths of two former Presidents of the Association, Derrick Hibberd and Dawn Harding.

Derrick Hibberd was a staunch supporter of the SOA for many years and worked tirelessly as Secretary organising many of our overseas trips and those nearer to home. Last year he was awarded Honorary Membership. A full obituary will be printed in the Journal.

Dawn Harding died in hospital just before Christmas and was the wife of Past President John Harding. As a non-organist her presidential year also included during organ visits activities for other non-players to do. Her skills in the kitchen were legendary and teas after events took on a whole new level of excellence. Her funeral will be on Wednesday 23rd January at 3.45pm at Seven Hills Crematorium.

Earlier in the year, Peter Jackaman, organist for more tham 50 years at Bramford Parish Church died on the 29 March 2018. His funeral took place on 2 May at 11.15am in that church. He was a very loyal member of our Association for very many years.

We also remember Don Monro, a stalwart member of our Associaton and a frequent attendee on many of our visits whose funeral was at Thorpe le Soken parish church in January 2018 and another dedicated post holder for more than half a century.

Andrew Garfath-Cox Webmaster and a Past President