James Campbell the Director of Music writes:-
In 1994, after much fundraising and immense commitment from the congregation and community, a new Organ was purchased for the Cathedral, replacing the original pipe organ with a digital model. Containing the innovative and renowned Bradford computing system, the 1994 organ offered a far greater spectrum of soundscape and its speaker system ensured a breadth of audio quality across the Cathedral. The Bradford system remained a benchmark of quality for many years and is still held in great respect. Over the subsequent years, the Cathedral has enjoyed an excellent and reliable instrument to lead worship and serve community events, with very little ongoing outlay on maintenance or repair. However, over the past few years this reliability has begun to fail, somewhat to be expected as it reached the end of its projected length of life. The innovative technology of the 1980’s has become obsolete and when parts began to fail, they could no longer be replaced. Whilst an excellent technician from Glasgow Studio Electronics has managed to repair some faults over the last few years, the final demise came when part of the motherboard failed and finally a speaker and amplifier dramatically burnt out. Following this, the Vestry asked the Director of Music and Assisting Organist to work with the Provost in sourcing a replacement. Aware that our funds / fundraising, would not easily cover a new instrument, the focus has been on either a rebuild or ex-demo instrument, either of which would give access to an instrument of equivalent or better specification than the Bradford, with the immense benefit of 21stcentury technology and 10 year parts and labour warranty.
The process of sourcing a replacement Organ began with research into the particular specification, soundscape, audio quality and, inevitably the cost and availability of instruments from organ building companies. The experience of our organists in their experience and playing of different instruments was also invaluable in the deliberations. Of the two final contenders, Makin Organs from ChurchOrganWorld met all the criteria set. Their advice was sought and an instrument suggested which will give an improved specification on the Bradford, with a breadth of soundscape and audio quality needed to fulfil the needs of our Cathedral. The instrument was commissioned by and used at Norwich Cathedral whilst their pipe organ was under repair in 2022/3 and as such, will provide a fitting instrument to take us into the next stage of our Cathedral’s worshipping life. Based on the Makin Windermere 3-45, it has additional features which make it a desirably enhanced version. It is important to mention that these demo/ commissioned instruments are not regularly obtainable and thus we are fortunate to have this impressive and unique option available to us to purchase.
