Find out about the Manchester Organists' Association by scrolling down; a brief history, past Presidents, the region we cover. |  |
Manchester Organists' Association was founded in 1913 with the primary object of promoting the appreciation and study of music in general, and the organ in particular. The founding President was the organist of Manchester Cathedral at that time, Sir Sydney Nicholson. Membership is open to anyone in sympathy with these aims, whether or not they play the organ or any other instrument.
Meetings of the Association normally take place on the last Saturday of each month from September to April, though there may be additional meetings outside this period and on other days of the week. An Annual Dinner, with guest speaker, is usually held in May. Most of our meetings take place in the Manchester area, but we also make occasional visits to interesting organs in other parts of the country, when members are often invited to play such instruments.
In addition to recitals and talks by our own members and guest speakers, master-classes, and concerts of chamber and choral music also feature in our programmes. Most of our meetings are followed by refreshments and an opportunity to socialise.
Most of our members live or work within the Cities of Manchester and Salford, and the Borough of Stockport, though we also have a number of members who live in neighbouring areas.
Membership is free to full time students, as we are particularly keen to encourage interest in the organ among young people, and are willing to arrange additional events for their particular needs. Our newsletter, which appears at least three times a year, gives details of these and other local musical events of interest to members. We are affiliated to the Incorporated Association of Organists and all our members are entitled to receive the IAO's excellent magazine "Organists' Review" at reduced rates.
If these activities interest you, why not come along to one of regular meetings as a guest: naturally, we hope that you would want to become a member.