News

Jul 08

A Very Grand Opening!

Chris Teed, Thomas Heywood and Kate Buttery sit smiling happily at the console of the newly rebuilt organ of St John's Camberwell

Launching the Chancel Organ at St John’s Camberwell

Has it been a month already?

Time has flown, and it has already been a month since we enjoyed an incredible celebration of the completed chancel organ together with our friends at St John’s Camberwell. The organ was launched in a Grand Opening concert by Virtuoso Concert Organist Thomas Heywood on June 8 2024.

Showing off some of the organ's versatile tonal and dynamic range

A crowd of 200 people came to hear Thomas put the organ through its paces in a perfectly crafted program that showed off the incredible range of expression this instrument is capable of. Highlights included the Dubois Fiat Lux which utilised the organ’s full dynamic range to give the audience a sense of just how much possibility they now have for a very wide range of liturgical repertoire to be played. Another highlight, and one of our personal favourites, was the Arthur Sullivan Overture to The Pirates of Penzance bringing so much fun to the evening, and illustrating the potentials for secular repertoire to be incorporated into the parish’s recital programs.

a real jewel in Melbourne’s cultural scene
— Thomas Heywood

Thankyou St John's

It was wonderful to join together with the parishioners of St John’s to celebrate, and we cannot express enough how much of an honour it has been to be part of the parish over the last 18 months. A very special mention goes to Fr John Baldock and Fiona Hudgson. Their vision, professionalism, compassion, humour and friendship have been a huge part of the success of this project. Also a very special mention to Ian Wakeley, whose original design, and tonal scheme design and voicing expertise is second to none in Australia. We are so proud to have brought Ian’s vision to fruition! We also owe a debt of gratitude to Dawn Sullivan, Bruce Williams and Monte Pemberton, all of whom have been the quiet behind-the-scenes day to day support and friendship that we appreciate so much for helping us to run the project far more smoothly than it would have without you all.

This celebration was a beautiful reminder of the power of music to unite us and bring joy to our lives. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to share this momentous occasion with our friends at St John’s Camberwell and look forward to many more musical adventures together.

All Photographs by Lillian Malenic

Donations

The congregation and friends of St John's have donated beneficently to enable the organ project. The Harrison Bequest, along with many anonymous donations made through the Melbourne Anglican Cultural Organisation (MACO) have made the project possible.  If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation towards the remaining costs, please visit The Melbourne Anglican Foundation (or scan the QR code below), enter your details, choose 'Melbourne Anglican Cultural Organisation (MACO) Inc from the dropdown list and choose 'St John's Camberwell - Music Fund'.

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