Useful Links
Royal College of Organists
The Royal College of Organists is the professional organisation for organists in the UK, setting standards and organising examinations and certificates.
It offers a wide range of courses, workshops, study days, classes, and an accredited teacher scheme.
Membership is open to all.
Incorporated Association of Organists
The Incorporated Association of Organists is a registered charity providing information, support, education, and training for organists, choir trainers, and organ enthusiasts. It has around 4,500 members worldwide and nearly 80 affiliated associations.
It publishes The Organists’ Review, a high-quality quarterly magazine known for both its content and presentation, featuring full-colour photography and reports from affiliated associations.
Membership is automatic for members of affiliated local organ clubs, for which it acts as the umbrella body.
Institute of British Organ Building
The Institute of British Organ Building is the professional organisation for the pipe organ building industry in Britain.
It also operates a database of organs available for disposal, accessible via the “Resources / Redundant Organs” section of its website.
British Institute of Organ Studies
The British Institute of Organ Studies is a charity that encourages and promotes the study of the pipe organ, including its history, design, and music.
It owns and operates the National Pipe Organ Register and manages a system for identifying historic organs.
BiOS publishes a quarterly newsletter, BiOS Reporter, and an annual Review containing scholarly articles on organs and organ music.
Membership is open to all.
National Pipe Organ Register
The National Pipe Organ Register is the national database of pipe organs in Britain and is operated by BiOS.
It is the primary online source of information on British pipe organs and represents decades of detailed research and site visits.
The register can be searched in several ways, including by address or location. Many entries include photographs. Some data may be out of date.
Cinema Organ Society
https://www.cinema-organs.org.uk
The Cinema Organ Society was formed in 1953 to promote the appreciation of cinema, or theatre, organs.
It owns three instruments and organises live music events featuring world-class performers, alongside publishing four publications each year on all aspects of cinema organs.
The Society maintains an extensive archive of photographs, audio recordings, and documents, accessible to members both in person and online.
It also organises workshops and tuition on playing and maintaining instruments, and its members have helped save, restore, and install organs across the UK.
Society of Women Organists
https://www.societyofwomenorganists.co.uk
The Society of Women Organists is a large and growing community dedicated to achieving a more equal gender balance in the organ world and celebrating women organists in all areas of music-making.
Its campaigns include advocacy for adjustable organ benches.
Membership is open to all who support its aims.
Scottish Federation of Organists
The Scottish Federation of Organists is a federation of Scottish organist societies.
Membership of local societies is open to anyone with an interest in the organ. These societies organise regular social and musical events and provide professional support through a range of associated groups and initiatives.
Historic Organs of Scotland
Sowne of Organe presents detailed surveys of surviving historic organs in Scotland.
Each survey includes technical and historical overviews, extensive photography, and recordings of appropriate repertoire performed by Scottish organists. Where available, relevant archival documents are also included.
The featured instruments are selected as significant examples, preserved as fully as possible in their original tonal and technical state.
Organoke
Organoke is a unique entertainment event blending pipe organ, popular dance music, and karaoke, raising funds for the repair of the Bishop organ at St Giles’ Church, Camberwell, London.
First conceived in 2016 as a creative way to fundraise for the restoration of the 1844 Bishop organ, it combines organ, band, screen, and MC into a euphorically joyful experience.
All profits contribute towards the £500,000 restoration target.
Anna Lapwood
Anna Lapwood is an organist, conductor, and broadcaster who reaches a vast audience through concerts and social media, with over one million followers across platforms.
She is frequently featured by broadcast media and has regularly performed on “Henry” at London Bridge Station, including appearances on Sunday Morning Live.