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Friday, 18^th March. 7.00 p.m. King’s College Chapel Taunton. A concert featuring young organists and other musicians. 5 young players will perform a variety of organ music. There will also be trumpet solos, and singing by King’s College Chapel Choir. Admission will be free. Support would be most welcome for what promises to be a pleasant evening. SOCA members feel that as much encouragement as possible should be given to young players. Sadly this event has had to be postponed owing to covid. New date will be posted asap.

Tuesday, 12^th April. 11.00 a.m. St. Peter’s Church, Budleigh Salterton.  This fine instrument will be demonstrated by Stephen Tanner, the organist, and members will then be free to play. This is a versatile 3-manual instrument which sounds magnificent in the lofty acoustic. At 2.00 p.m., after lunch, we are convening at Michael Farley’s workshop, just outside Budleigh. He is currently working on the restoration of the organ from Nairobi Cathedral, but there are other organs in working order, which members may play. Michael, who is a member of SOCA, will talk about the work he is engaged upon.

Saturday, 7^th May  2.00 p.m. Downside Abbey   A visit to the largest Compton organ in the country. The instrument, in 2 huge chambers in a lofty transept, is controlled from a detached console which has some 140 stops, though some are by extension. Julian McNamara, the DoM, will demonstrate the organ, and members are then free to play it. We will need to vacate the chapel by 4.00 p.m..

Saturday, 11^th June  2.00 p.m.  Wrington Church     A visit to see and play a 2 manual Walker organ, the restoration of which has just been completed. Michael Taylor, the organist will talk about the organ, and members will then be free to play. Wrington is a fascinating village, with historical associations, and the mid-Summer date should allow members to walk round at their leisure. We may meet up beforehand in a local pub for a meal.

Saturday,16^th July 2.00 p.m.  Malvern Priory   SOCA members will be welcomed by the vicar, Rod Corke, who was vicar of St. Mary Magdalene, Taunton, before taking up this post. The 4-manual organ, originally by Rushworth and Dreaper, will be demonstrated by one of the music staff, and members will then be free to play. Malvern is a charming town, and there is much to see apart from the fine church, so members may wish to arrive early. There is a farmers’ market on the same day.

There are no activities planned for August. The only other event before the A.G.M. on 5^th November will feature singing. This will be on a Friday in September or October, at Taunton Minster (St Mary Magdalene), and will be open to anyone. Half a dozen new, and probably unfamiliar, modern hymn tunes in traditional vein will be learnt and sung. Date and time to be finalised.

Saturday 5th November 2022 Taunton Minster (St Mary Magdalene)

SOCA AGM and Masterclass / Recital Day with David Davies (Organist of Buckfast Abbey)

Provisional programme:

10 am AGM

11 am Workshop/Masterclass on Organ Improvisation by David Davies (formerly Assistant Director of Music at Exeter Cathedral and currently Organist of Buckfast Abbey)

followed by Lunch

3.00 pm Organ Recital by David Davies, followed by

3.45 pm Afternoon Tea

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Other events which are under discussion or being planned include a visit to the organ at Downside Abbey, and a visit to Michael Farley’s workshop to see the organ being worked on for Nairobi Cathedral. Watch this space!