Church Organ - David Hannen approached Mr. Church, an organ builder in Stamfordham, to discuss the possibility of an organ for our Church. Mr. Church offered to install his demonstration organ, provided we were prepared to allow other organists to test the organ in our new building. David reported his findings to a Church meeting and said the basic cost would be £2,600 (at a time when St. Mary’s Church organ was being re-built at a cost of £40,000.) Later Mrs. Isa Haig donated money for an extra feature, a swell pedal, in memory of her husband who had been an organist in Glasgow. The organ was not ready for the Consecration Service of the Church and Mr. Church provided a portable pipe-organ for 3 weeks. The new pipe organ was a vast improvement on the harmonium in the old station!
I was brought up in a Methodist home where music, and particularly choral singing, was a big part of everyday life. My father was a pianist, organist, a fine tenor in Church and in a local male-voice choir. My mother had no musical training but enjoyed music and was responsible for regular family trips to Sheffield City Hall to hear the Halle Orchestra. My sister, 8 years older, was also a pianist and soprano in several choirs. I always wanted to play and sing long before I had any lessons!
My first piano lessons were when I was 5 years old but were not a success since I could hardly read words and reading music seemed even more difficult! However at 8 years, I began lessons with my sister’s teacher at Retford High School for Girls. Mrs. Jones was a wonderful teacher who inspired, and expected, her pupils to work hard at exams and to enter all the local Music Festivals. I did better in the duet classes in the Festivals, not so nerve-wracking when you have someone beside you! I continued my lessons with Mrs. Jones till I was 16 and attending school in Doncaster. It was felt that travel and schoolwork took more time than there were hours in the day. Mrs. Jones was not happy, “What a waste” she said.
However at Teacher Training College I specialized in music and fortunately had Dr. Donald Webster as my music teacher. He widened our horizons and encouraged both my piano playing and singing. I kept in touch with him till he died in 2002. He was an expert in hymns, studying them for his doctorate! He was quite scathing about many modern hymns (for their poor musicality) but used to let me know which hymns were “good” modern hymns in Rejoice & Sing, a book he wasn’t a fan of!
I didn’t help out in Church on the organ until after my marriage and we were members of the United Free Church in Milngavie near Glasgow. I played the piano for the Women’s Guild and since we lived next door to the Church Organist — he persuaded me to help out on the organ. (Mrs. Jones wouldn’t have been impressed — her pianists were not encouraged to “get involved with organs — it ruins your piano technique” !!) On to Ponteland URC, four children later and somehow David Hannen persuaded me to join the organ “Team” - four of us in those days!
And you know the rest, and I’m still only a “press-ganged pianist”!!
Althea Coghil
My sister and I were sent for one hour to have piano lessons, she had the first half hour, I had the second. I never practised and had my knuckles rapped with a ruler by the teacher. We had also to work through a theory book, which my sister and my Mother completed. I never did any of it, which I now regret.
It was not until I went to University and was in digs with George Donald, who became the pianist for “Scotland the What” — a popular Scottish musical comedy act, that I became more interested in actually playing the piano. He was my best man, as I was his, and he still assists me with creating harmonies. All I do is give him a phone and he will dictate the notes over the telephone.
Later when living in Ripon, I wanted to buy a second hand piano at an auction and decided I could pay £15. Walking into the auction room, I saw an old blanket box full of sheet music. I bid for the boxful and got the lot for 7/6d. However, when the bidding came round for the piano it went for more than £15 so I had music but no piano. Luckily for me, I had contacted a piano tuner, who then told me of a piano in store in Ripon belonging to an elderly lady. She was happy to sell her piano, including the piano stool, for the total of £15. I have it to this day.
It was David Hannen who asked me to help at Stamfordham as Sheila became less able. There the Church had a little electronic organ and I practised on Saturday mornings, much to the exasperation of the neighbours (the Tippings!). I also acquired an electric organ (from another Church member), which I still use and this is ideal for practising at home. I was happy to help out at Stamfordham, but was more apprehensive of the organ in Ponteland with its pedals and stops. As changes occurred in Stamfordham and Althea’s health made it less easy for her to play, I have taken on the duty of organist here.
Sandy Christie
|
