Salary starts organ fund (From Stroud News and Journal)

Salary starts organ fund

A KIND-HEARTED church organist has pledged to donate a whole year's pay to ensure his parish enjoys a first class sound.

Steve Goodwin has donated his annual organ playing salary of £3,000 towards a new organ for the Holy Trinity Church, Amberley.

The money will kick off a fundraising effort for a £12,000 hybrid organ.

The increasingly popular instrument is made when electronically created stops are added in to existing pipe stops.

The technique, used even in large organs like that at Blackburn Cathedral, increases the power and variety of sound.

This assists the organ to lead a growing congregation and choir. Two concerts held at the Holy Trinity Church will help raise the rest of the funds.

New chamber choir the Exultate Singers will perform on Saturday, February 8 at 7.30pm.

Tickets, which include a glass of wine and nibbles, are available for a minimum donation of £10 or £3 for children. To book call 01453 873381.

Conductor and director David Ogden founded the singers in 2002.

He was recently made director of music at Clifton Cathedral. The group made their inaugural broadcast at Sunday morning worship on Radio 4 in September.

The hand picked singers from Bristol and the South West perform a high repertoire to the highest standards.

The second concert will be the re-opening recital by world-renowned organist David Briggs, Organist Emeritus of Gloucester Cathedral, on Friday, June 6.