A significant milestone was marked by a Choral Evensong and the ushering in of new leadership
The Essex Organists' Association recently convened its Annual General Meeting last Sunday at Chapter House, a venue holding resonance as this was the precise location where the association was re-established in 1950, following the war.
This year's gathering held an added significance, marking the beginning of a year-long celebration to commemorate the association's 75th anniversary.
Philip Prior, outgoing President, underscored this connection, stating,
"It was indeed very fitting that members and friends should then gather for the start of their celebration year in 2025 in the exact place where the Association's current incarnation began 75 years ago."
During the meeting Philip announced he will now hand his role on to Chelmsford Cathedral's Director of Music, Emma Gibbins. “I’m delighted to be taking over as President of the Essex Organists’ Association,” comments Emma.
“I'm looking forward to working with the committee to continue promoting the organ in Essex through a wide range of events and getting to know all the organ enthusiasts in the area!"
Following the meeting, the group moved over to the cathedral for Choral Evensong, where Sam Bristow, Assistant Director of Music, gave his first performance of a new and original piece of music composed to mark the occasion.
“This was a tremendous privilege which I've been very excited about playing for the first time,”
says Sam. “The main aim of the association is to promote organ playing and make it accessible for everybody, so Philip asked me to write a piece which would be appropriate to play at the end of services and accessible enough for a wide range of abilities, as well as being adaptable for a variety of instruments.”
While composing the piece, Sam wanted to ensure the music was suitable for both church organs, as well as at the cathedral, all year-round. Drawing inspiration from his classical background and affinity for Greek literature, he settled on a Paean, a song expressing thanksgiving or triumph. “One of the first instances a Paean ever appears is in Homer’s Iliad,” he explains. “As this is my first ever organ piece, it felt important to shape it so it was individual to me.
“The piece draws on the two ways in which it could have been performed in Greek tragedy – either as a chorus or a solo – I’ve used both to create a contrast in the texture. I hope to have arrived on something suitably celebratory, accessible and usable all year round, with aspects making it an unmistakeably Bristow piece!”
To find out more about the Essex Organist Association please visit their website – www.essexorganists.org
