Charlie Taylor of BBC Radio Somerset recently visited St Mary Magdalene Church Taunton to record an item on the organ renovation currently in progress.  It is currently available on their website as below:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcsomerset

SOCA members may be interested in a first-hand account of the new Ruffatti organ in Buckfast Abbey.  I (John Bodiley) went on Epiphany Sunday to hear Richard Lester play Messiaen’s La Nativité. This is a piece I always enjoy listening to, though I privately think that a couple of the movements are overlong and rather repetitive! Apologies if this upsets Messiaen buffs. Continue reading →

Saturday 13^th October 2018
A dozen or so members of SOCA enjoyed a visit to Clifton on 13^th October, where there was a chance to hear and to play 4 very different instruments. Sincere thanks are due to Derek Jones, our secretary, for working out the complex arrangements, and liaising with the churches and DoMs involved. Continue reading →

Many people came to St. Mary’s Church, Bridgwater on the afternoon of Tuesday, 24^th July, where a memorial service for Andrew Morton was held. Andrew died on a recent visit to Leipzig, to the annual Bachfest in the city. Continue reading →

Saturday 16th June 2018

Crediton Church

This was a most enjoyable day and it was fascinating to visit two very different instruments, both in their own way excellent examples of their type. Continue reading →

On 15^th May, members of SOCA and friends took a minibus trip to London, to attend A Grand Organ Celebration. We went for the day to make the most of the visit, and the weather co-operated, providing a beautiful, warm and sunny Spring day. Members occupied themselves during the day visiting various sights, and John Crump even managed to fit in a lunch-time recital at St. George’s, Hanover Square. In the evening, we joined the four and a half thousand people in the hall for the recital, given jointly by David Briggs, Wayne Marshall and Olivier Latry. Continue reading →

SOCA AGM and Annual Lunch at the Ring of Bells, Ashcott, Saturday 4th November 2017

Peter Cox (right), retiring Secretary of SOCA, receiving a gift from our Chairman Ray Willis on behalf of all members, thanking him for his tireless and splendid work in communication, fixing, galvanising and keeping us all in touch.  Peter has also been the enterprising Music Director at Creech St Michael Parish Church.  Thank you, Peter – we will greatly miss you, and we wish you, Judith and Megan all the very best in Stratford-on-Avon! Continue reading →

PENZANCE & HAUPTWERK by John Bodiley

I have just returned from a holiday in Cornwall, and discovered something that may interest other SOCA  members who find themselves near Penzance. Continue reading →

SOCA visit to Bristol, Saturday 7th October 2017

On 7th October some 9 members of SOCA spent a very enjoyable day exploring 3 significant organs in Bristol.

Continue reading →

Tuesday 12th September 2017, St Michael’s Church, Creech St Michael

John Bodiley and Ray Willis gave of their time and expertise on Tuesday 12 September 2017 to introduce a small group of us to the art of improvisation.  Many useful suggestions and techniques which are relatively simple in essence emerged. Continue reading →