Exeter & District Organists' Association
Ian Carson
Welcome from our President
It’s challenging to be elected as President of the long-standing Exeter and District Organists' Association, reflecting that it has passed its centenary and still has close on 100 members, individuals who represent a broad spectrum of organists, who have given service in places ranging from hamlets to cathedrals.
I am very grateful for the support and involvement of all of them in a group whose continuing vitality is evident, and especially fortunate in having Exeter Cathedral as a focus.
The production of a forthcoming Devon Organ Book commissioned for the Centenary yielded more than a dozen composers amongst the members, and I expect a specially commissioned piece by Thomas Hewitt Jones to carry EDOA’s initiative into the published organists’ repertoire in due course.
People are my concern at least as much as pipes and my hope is that my year as President will allow members to feel supported where their value is not always recognised, encouraged to broaden their experience of the organ and its music, that together they will enhance their camaraderie and introduce new members as we plan new ventures.
I am currently playing the organ at several churches in West Somerset. If you come across me, do come up and say ‘hello’!" May 2023
I am currently playing the organ at several churches in West Somerset. If you come across me, do come up and say ‘hello’!" May 2023
Exeter & district organs
Devon is well supplied with fine organs in a variety of sizes and styles. The wonderful Father Willis instruments at Exeter Cathedral, St Peter’s Tiverton (see below), St Michael & All Angel’s Great Torrington and St Mary’s Totnes come to mind; in a contemporary classical style are the instruments by Goetze & Gwynn at St John the Baptist, Marldon and by William Drake at St John’s, Totnes.
From the 1920s is the Harrison & Harrison instrument in The Holy Cross, Crediton and, at a more intimate level, historic house organs at Exeter Cathedral, Killerton House, Powderham Castle, and Sidholme Music Room.
There are many other fine instruments, especially in Tavistock and the built up areas of Plymouth and Torbay.
The William Drake organ works are nearby at Buckfastleigh and Michael Farley’s organ works are at Budleigh Salterton.
Membership 2023
Membership entitles you to participate in our events; to receive a copy of the quarterly Cornopean Newsletter, to go on our mailing list when local deputy organists are required, and to receive Organists Review (published by the Incorporated Association of Organists) at a discount price. Annual membership costs £15 per year (students and children £7.50). Please click this link to download a Membership Application & Renewal Form.
PipeUp Devon
A recent development has been our support of PipeUp Devon.
This is a scheme to support young organists in Devon with subsidised organ tuition from experienced teachers.
PipeUp Devon is run on behalf of the Diocese of Exeter by a team of four local organists, headed by Andrew Millington (formerly Organist of Exeter Cathedral) and assisted by Ian Curror (formerly Organist, The Royal Hospital, Chelsea), Peter King (Organist Emeritus, Bath Abbey) and Mark Perry (formerly Head Master, St Peter’s School, Exeter).
The project is supported by grants from the Ouseley Church Music Trust, St Wilfrid’s Trust and the EDOA.
After an initial period further funding will be needed.
For more information please click here or contact the PipeUp Devon Administrator Mark Perry at pipeupdevon@exeter.anglican.org
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A pupil (then aged 10 from Exeter Cathedral School) playing at a PipeUp Devon event in Topsham Parish Church late 2018