2021
2021 Covid 19 Update from our Secretary:
2020 was obviously very largely a year of non-events. We hope to pick up some of the threads this year, though the first couple of months look as if they will be spent in lockdown. In terms of what you may anticipate, the following provisional plans have been drafted:
Tuesday, 26th January 2021: Zoom AGM, linking at 7.00 p.m. for a 7.15 p.m. start – details will be circulated to members by email.
Saturday 20th March 2021: A short recital and demonstration by Miles Quick on the organ of St. Mary Magdalene, Taunton, following its renovation by Michael Farley. As in-person concerts are not yet allowed, this recital can be found online at:
Thursday 8th July 2021: The visit to St. Paul’s Church, Honiton, originally scheduled for last September, is planned for Thursday, 8th July in the afternoon. Again, this will depend upon the infection rate, but we are hopeful that a return to some form of normality will be happening by then.
Saturday 6th November 2021: The A.G.M. has been pencilled in for this date, with Paul Hale provisionally booked as guest speaker/recitalist.
Mid-Autumn 2021: At a date and venue to be arranged, and in conjunction with the RSCM, it is hoped to hold an event featuring young musicians. Any young organists will be encouraged to play, and other young singers and instrumentalists will be asked to perform. SOCA members who know of likely youthful performers will be encouraged to invite them.
Nothing else is planned definitely, but such events as the talk on Mendelssohn, a quiz, and an organ crawl around the Chard area have not been forgotten. We look forward to a brighter year than the one which has just passed.
3 Jan 2021, updated 17 March 2021
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Saturday 22nd February 2020 3 pm to 4.30 pm
St Mary Magdalene Church, Taunton
Organic Afternoon!
Come and see, come and play, come and listen, come for Tea, comfort ye!
All are invited to come and play a piece on the newly renovated Father Willis Organ at St Mary Magdalene Church.
Bring anything from a simple piano piece or a hymn to a Vierne Organ Symphony, and put our newly renovated Father Willis through its paces.
Or just listen as others play, and enjoy tea and cakes! Miles Quick, Director of Music at St Mary Magdalene, will also give a short demonstration of the instrument.
If you would like to play a piece, please book if possible with the SOCA Secretary, jbodiley@hotmail.co.uk tel 01278 424612 so that an order of play can be prepared, or just turn up!
No charge, but there will be a retiring collection to cover expenses and to support the church tower restoration fund.
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Saturday 18th April 2020 – National Organ Day
This is not a SOCA event, but local players are encouraged to play as many organs as possible during the day within their local area. Please make some enquiries, and try to get other players interested.
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Saturday, 2nd May 2020 at 2.30 p.m. Holy Trinity Church, Taunton.
Illustrated talk on Mendelssohn
The talk by John Bodiley will focus on Mendelssohn’s relationship with the organ, especially his admiration for Bach. The talk will be illustrated on the Holy Trinity organ, a rare, 1846 survivor, by members of SOCA.
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Thursday, 28th May 2020
Trip to Dean Close School and Tewkesbury Abbey
This will begin at the school at 11.30 a.m., when the new Nicholson organ will be demonstrated, and there will be a chance to play. In the afternoon, the organs in Tewkesbury Abbey will be demonstrated, and there will be a chance for players to perform on The Milton Organ.
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Saturday, 6th June 2020
Treasure Hunt
A chance to explore and play organs in the Chard area.
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Thursday, 3rd September 2020 Time tba
Visit to St. Paul’s Church, Honiton. A chance to learn about the resources of the Tickell organ in this church, and following a demonstration, a chance to play.
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Tuesday, 13th October 2020 at 7.00 p.m. St. Mary’s Church, Bridgwater.
Music Quiz
A social evening based around a quiz, with music questions mainly about the organ, but with a number of other knowledge aspects, and some cryptic clues.
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SOCA Lunch, AGM and talk by Paul Hale on Father Willis organs (with examples) and organ pieces played on St Mary Magdalene’s renovated Father Willis
12 noon Lunch at Zizzi’s Restaurant, Taunton (Magdalene House, Taunton TA1 1SB)
1.30 SOCA AGM (Upper Room, St Mary Magdalene Church, Taunton TA1 1SA)
3.00 Talk and demonstration by Paul Hale (Formerly Rector Chori at Southwell Minster, former Chairman of the annual Diocesan Organ Advisers’ Conference and currently Diocesan Organ Advisor for Lincoln (South), also Southwell & Nottinghamshire
NB The talk and demonstration is open to all, not just SOCA members!
Paul Hale will explore Father Willis’s work and concept, with musical illustrations, using the St Mary Magdalene organ to play selected works.
To book, please contact the Secretary jbodiley@hotmail.co.uk
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(NB This list is regularly updated as things progress, we have more events in the pipeline, dates tbc!)
