Our Calendar

2020

CONFIRMED & PROPOSED DATES FOR 2020  – further details / confirmation will be added when available

Covid 19 update from our Secretary

I’m sure that it will come as no surprise that the SOCA committee members feel that the future is too uncertain in 2020 to continue with our proposed programme in the Autumn. The visit to Homiton, and the quiz, are therefore postponed. The talk/recital by Paul Hale, due to follow our AGM in November, has also been postponed. Paul is willing to return next year, and has been booked for Saturday, November 6th, 2021. The committee will try to hold some sort of meeting in 2020, perhaps by Zoom.
In view of the fact that Stephen’s year as President has been blighted, the committee has invited him to remain in post for a further year. He has accepted, and Hilary Shaw has generously allowed her year of presidency to be deferred.
We are aware that members have not had a very good return on their 2020 membership subscriptions, and at some stage this year, we will consider adjusting the 2021 subscriptions.

John Bodiley, SOCA Secretary, 9th July 2020

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As a guide to the kind of events we are aiming to arrange for 2021, the programme for 2020 is left in place below.  Sadly only the first of these events was actually able to take place.  As 2021 plans are finalised they will appear below.
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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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Saturday 7th November 2020
 
St Mary Magdalene Church, Taunton

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!)