SOUTHWARK AND SOUTH LONDON SOCIETY OF ORGANISTS
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11 TH OCTOBER 2015 1.30PM
1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES
Marilyn welcomed members of the committee.
Present: Marilyn Harper, John Mitchell, Samzu Agbaje, Richard Pilliner, Peter
Ramell, Andrew Chadney, Nicky Jones
Apologies: Martin Callingham
2. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING
Matters of Fact: The minutes of the last meeting on 26 th July were approved.
Matters Arising: On the question of charging for adverts under item 4, it was agreed that we shouldn’t make a charge. This is consistent with Croydon and
Bromley who also don’t make a charge.
Under item 7 concerning our recruitment strategy, there was further discussion about approaching schools. Marilyn made the point that local schools are very busy at weekends, especially independent schools such as James Allen’s
Girls’ School, Alleyn’s School and Dulwich College. She added that it is the state schools that really need to be approached.
Richard then mentioned the Croydon piano school and thought we might be able to recruit mainly adult pupils who are at the grade 6 level. He also offered to approach local teachers. As regards practice facilities, both Woolf van Silver and
Robert Bowles have offered up their churches for practice.
3. FINANCE
Peter reported that the new bank account with HSBC has now been set up. The previous account with Lloyds needed to be closed as it was no longer suitable for groups such as SSLSO. Peter said that his next step is to transfer the money from the old Lloyds account to the new HSBC account by cheque. The old Lloyds account will remain open for a few months in case any monies find their way there during this period of change. Peter will send round details about arrangements in connection with the new account such as the setting up of standing orders etc, as soon as possible. Peter has also been following up members where subscriptions are still due. He said that at some future date we should also discuss the best month for subscriptions to be paid.
The committee members gave a huge vote of thanks to Peter for all his hard work recently and also for Anne Rickwood’s continuing help, for example advice in connection with closing the old Lloyds account.
4. WEBSITE
Samzu reported that he had met with Martin to discuss the “ins and outs” of the website with a view to continuing collaboration so to improve it. Martin has already set up Richard’s video for the October “My Church” and Samzu will be
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playing at Tulse Hill Methodist church for the November item. Richard said that
Martin went to such trouble to get things right and all agreed that we are very lucky to benefit from his technical “know how”.
As regards editing the website, Marilyn said that it is very important to ensure good editing and spelling as it is a public record. Samzu will work with Martin to offer assistance in this area Nicky also underlined the importance of high standards in the area of confidentiality.
5. FEEDBACK FROM PREVIOUS EVENTS
Richard praised Norman Harper’s improvisation session at St John’s East
Dulwich on 12 th September. He thought the structure of the session was “spot on” and said that the event gave him plenty of food for thought. All were grateful for Norman’s contribution. At the session he brought an article on improvisation by Martin Baker to attendees’ attention and also an article by Gloria Toplis on improvisation in the 18 th century. The committee wanted to record its thanks to
John Webber and members of the St John’s community for providing the venue and for offering refreshments.
The committee agreed that it would be good to have another improvisation workshop next year and that Richard’s church, St John’s Shirley, would be an excellent venue, not least because of its fine Frobenius organ.
6. FUTURE STRATEGY AND PLANS FOR EVENTS
Events for the remainder of 2015
Nicky will send out a reminder about the SSLSO Annual Dinner on 4 th November and about Harry Bramma’s Hand Registration event on 7 th November. Letters will be sent to the small number of members who are not on email. Marilyn will contact Gerard Brooks again with a view to him attending on 4th as guest speaker. Turning to the event on 7 th November, the event will be from 2 to
4.30pm although Harry will be attending from 2-4pm due to a subsequent engagement. It is envisaged that from 4 to 4.30pm, members will be able to try out the organ and or socialize. Marilyn has a morning commitment so will be delayed. Committee members are encouraged to arrive just before 2pm so as to be able to greet attendees. Nicky agreed to bring tea, coffee, milk, herbal drinks and biscuits.
Peter will check that we can use the kitchen and whether there is anything that may already be provided.
Events for 2016
Repertoire Evening: it was agreed to hold another repertoire event at Nicky’s home in January of next year. A Wednesday evening seemed to be the most convenient time for all, with a Tuesday evening as back up. Nicky will check out home engagements and suggest a date as soon as possible.
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Penge Composite Concert: It was agreed to contact Marilyn Nicholson with a view to again holding the concert at the Penge Congregational church. Saturday
6 th , 13 th , 20 th or 27 th February are possible dates, the proviso being that there should be no clash with London Organ Day. Nicky will contact Marilyn Nicholson with a view to arranging the date.
Fugue State Films Showing: Marilyn had contacted Will Fraser with a view to a
Fugue State Films showing event at St Peter’s Vauxhall. She said that once we know how many people might attend and also purchase a DVD, there can be a considerable discount on the price. We would need to pay for a screen and projector and apparently City and East London managed to obtain one previously. We should also invite City and London, Bromley and Croydon, Bexley and East Surrey associations. Marilyn will try to arrange this for March of next year and will again contact Will.
Dulwich Come and Join us Event: this will be held on Saturday May 7 th at
Christ’s Chapel from 4 to 6pm. An added bonus is the free publicity as the event is part of the Dulwich Festival programme. John kindly agreed to put together a presentation on how organs work.
Harpsichord Concert by Gilbert Rowland: it was agreed to approach Gilbert
Rowland, a local professional and accomplished harpsichordist and organist.
He will be invited to give a harpsichord concert and it was suggested that he might play music that can be performed both on the organ and on the harpsichord. St Augustine’s, Honor Oak Park and St Hilda’s, Brockley could be possible venues for this. Nicky will contact Gilbert to see if he can offer us a date in September 2016.
Continuing Discussions about Future Events and about Strategy
Members wondered if next year is a significant anniversary for SSLSO. Nicky will email Martin about this and Marilyn thought John Webber and or Harry Bramma might also know.
As for other future events, Anthony Burns-Cox is giving a recital at Christ’s
Chapel, Dulwich on November 8 th and Marilyn will see if he would like to make a presentation/perform to us next year. Marilyn said that he gives talks on travel and music associated with different parts of the globe. We could also try to offer second hand music related to what he plays. We could even provide cuisine associated with the regions that he covers.
A letter had been received from Harry Bramma about potential visits to organs in Clapham. The organ at St Paul’s Clapham Old Town is not currently available.
However, visits might be arranged to St Peter’s Clapham, Manor Street (a Hunter organ), to Christ Church in Union Grove and to St Mary’s Roman Catholic church near Clapham Common tube station.
Other possibilities considered were as follows: approaching the Cinema Organ
Society but this is unlikely to be followed up. Marilyn will see if it might be
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possible to arrange a visit to the late William Drake’s workshop in Devon next year.
Richard wondered if it might be possible to set up visits to see Cathedral style organs. For example approaching Martin Baker about a visit to Westminster
Roman Catholic cathedral or James O’ Donnell about a visit to the organ at
Westminster Abbey. However it was thought that such visits could prove difficult to arrange. Other potential organs to visit might be the following: St Alfege’s
Church, Bloomsbury Baptist church, Notre Dame in Leicester Place, the French
Church where the Principal Organist is Duncan Middleton. After some discussion, it was agreed to approach John and Eric Shepherd, organ builders in
Edgware, to arrange a trip to their works and to see organs they have made.
November 2016 was suggested as a possibility.
Marilyn will also liaise with Richard and Norman Harper about an improvisation event and trip to Richard’s church in Shirley on a Saturday in October of next year.
The date for the next annual dinner in November of next year remains to be decided.
Finally there was further discussion about our strategy. All agreed that we need to remain open to new ideas and the importance of a good website and events structure was emphasized. Marilyn praised Martin’s excellent work in developing our website and she felt that we have a good events structure. All agreed with this view.
7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
None
8. DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place at Christ’s Chapel, Dulwich on Sunday 10 th
January 2016 at 1.30pm.
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