Feature
All about Hill, Norman and Beard
Wm. Hill & Son and Norman & Beard Ltd’ (also known as Hill, Norman and Beard) was formed in 1916 from the amalgamation of the two large organ-building firms – Hill & Son of London and Norman & Beard of Norwich. The business traded on its heritage looking after many of the large cathedral organs…
The history of Sierra Leone’s St George’s Cathedral
Arnold Awoonor-Gordon Reprinted from: Sierra Leone Telegraph: 4 May 2017 St George’s Cathedral – one of Sierra Leone’s oldest churches, took eleven years to progress from the laying of the foundation stone on the 9th of January 1817, to the first service. Ever since then it has been a busy and important church – and…
The pipe organ – more than just a church instrument
Theo van Wyk, University of Pretoria Unlike most musical instruments, the pipe organ is commonly defined by the place where it’s often played: church. And people seem to think of organists as reclusive creatures in the lofts of basilicas and cathedrals. The pipe organ is a musical instrument that creates sound by pushing air under…
The story of an extraordinary pipe organ in an extraordinary cathedral in Sierra Leone
It’s been four years, since restoration work began on the mighty pipe organ in St George’s Cathedral, Freetown, Sierra Leone. Hundreds of parts have been dismantled, cleaned and painstakingly repaired. There are still a few steps to go before the instrument’s voice reverberates again throughout the cathedral, nevertheless it’s become clear that the result is…
Why restore St George’s pipe organ? Cathedral Organist – Tani Pratt answers some important questions
Why is the church investing so much in renovating the pipe organ? Why is it so important to the church? The Cathedral is investing in restoring the Pipe Organ because it is the greatest asset after the edifice (the building) and an important part in the enhancement of music in praise and worship to God,…