On Friday, seven pupil organists and four members of the music staff travelled into London to play the organ at Westminster Abbey. We had been invited to visit by Alexander Hamilton OMT, who is currently helping out there before taking up his post as Organist at HM Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace in September. Having less successfully attempted to undertake this trip a few weeks ago — instead resulting in a delightfully educational trip to St Matthew’s Westminster — it was good to finally make it to the abbey.
Having less successfully attempted to undertake this trip a few weeks ago — instead resulting in a delightfully educational trip to St Matthew’s Westminster — it was good to finally make it to the abbey. The visit to the abbey was preceded by a visit not to our usual pizza emporium, but to Wagamama, which was a welcome change. Though some were perturbed by the Music Administrator’s choice of beverage, the meal passed uneventfully. Arriving at the entrance to Dean’s Yard, we were met by Mr Hamilton who then gave us a fascinating tour of the abbey, including the Jerusalem Chamber, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the tombs/memorials of worthies such as Winston Churchill, Henry Purcell, Benjamin Britten and Isaac Newton. We also saw many royal tombs, the earliest of which belongs to Edward the Confessor. After playing the organ, our visit concluded with a visit to the chapel of Henry VII, home of the Order of the Bath. The chapel’s roof is reminiscent of that of St George’s, Windsor.
We then ascended the stairs to the surprisingly spacious organ loft, though quite how nearly a whole symphony orchestra was squeezed up there for the Coronation of HM The King is remarkable. Mr Hamilton then showed us the organ, which though with its origins in Purcell’s time, largely dates from the 1937 coronation, when Harrisons rebuilt the instrument. All of us in turn then had the opportunity to play the organ, playing a wide range of music, from Bach to Muhly and everything in between. Mr Hamilton highlighted the importance that such experiences can have on young musicians, encouraging the boys to be ambitious and to keep going.
The evening was a wonderful opportunity, not only to play the organ of Westminster Abbey, a magnificent instrument in a much kinder acoustic than St Paul’s, but also to be able to have a private tour around the empty church, scene of countless royal and national events for generations.
