Adopted DAC141114

DIOCESE OF SALISBURY

DIOCESAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DAC)

PARISH CHURCH ORGANS IN THE DIOCESE OF SALISBURY

Guidance for clergy and churchwardens

Churches whichmight consider repairing, restoring, making changes to or replacing an organ are faced with a number of options. The expense of repairing or replacingan existing organ may seem daunting, and alternatives may therefore be considered. The following notes have been drawn together at the suggestion of the Diocesan Chancellor to assist churchwardens, clergy, organists and all others with particular interest to make an informed choice about the best course of action in their particular circumstances.

WHAT SHOULD BE THE FIRST ACTION WHEN CONTEMPLATING RESTORATION, ALTERATION, OR REPLACEMENT OF AN ORGAN?

The Diocesan Advisory Committee(DAC) strongly advises that there should be early consultationbefore firm plans are drawn, and before a Faculty application is made. Churches which are considering accepting the gift of an instrument need to be aware that a Faculty to install it will be needed, and to accept such a gift or to purchase an instrument before a Faculty has been granted might result in the undesirable situation of having to return the gift or the purchase.

Through its consultants, the DAC will be able to provide advice free of charge on the following matters:

  • The value of the existing organ, and whether it could be restored unchanged, restored with alteration, moved, or replaced.
  • Whether the organ is of sufficient merit to attract external funding for restoration. Apart from the several long-standing sources of grants, there have been several grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund in recent years for restoration of some modest instruments. The most likely organs to attract HLF grants are those which have had little or no alteration in the past. The British Institute of Organ Studies (BIOS) has created a scheme of certification for organs of historic importance (Historic Organs Certificate Scheme). Instruments with a HOCS certificate stand a better chance of attracting grants for restoration.
  • The names of organ builders who are known to be reliable and expert. Many run small-scale businesses, and their charges are often lower than PCCsexpect. Some do not charge VAT because of the small scale of their businesses.
  • The process of obtaining quotations and on the selection of the appropriate builder. The nature and size of the work will influence the choice of a suitable builder.
  • The current VAT regulations in regard to church organs.
  • The submission of a Faculty application.

POSSIBILITIES WHEN AN ORGAN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, OR WHERE THERE IS NO ORGAN.

1. A new pipe organ.

Most PCCs feel unable to consider this option because of the high cost. A one manual organ (which can be surprisingly versatile and perfectly adequate for a small building) will cost upwards of £60,000, whilst a larger 2 manual and pedal instrument will be over £200,000. Small box organs, such as the instrument frequently used in Salisbury Cathedral, can be made for less than £20,000. They offera long lasting musical solutionat a lower cost that could be designed to blend well with the context of the church interior

The DAC can identify churches within reasonable distance where recently built organs can be seen and heard by PCCs interested in buying a new instrument.

2. A redundant pipe organ

The Institute of British Organ Building (IBO) is now responsible for keeping a register of redundant instruments in the UK. The register is constantly updated and can be accessed at and costs have been lower than a new instrument. The purchase price is usuallyless than £1,000 and the relatively low costs of removal and re-building could make such an organ an attractive proposition. The DAC’s organ consultants will be happy to assist in finding suitable instruments.Such organs may have the rather large footprint typical of Victorian instruments. A floor area of roughly 3 metres square is often needed for a 2 manual and pedal organ.

3. A digital keyboard

Keyboards instruments such as the Yamaha Clavinova or the Roland Piano can be taken in and out of churches without a Faculty, and can be useful for accompanying when use of the pipe organ is not possible.They take up little space and are self-contained. They produce a variety of high quality sounds,including piano and harpsichord, although the church organ effect can be weak.

4. An electronic organ

Digital technology from the 1980s onwards produced a considerable improvement in the ability of these instruments to reproduce organ tone.While it may be argued that their sound can never have exactly the same character as pipes, since it has to emerge from loudspeakers rather than multiple individual sources, an electronic organ could provide a reasonable alternative. As with pipe organs, the quality of different instruments varies greatly, and PCCs will need to be satisfied that the sound of an electronic organ meets their needs. The life expectancy of anelectronic organ is likely to be shorter than a good pipe organ, and PCCs will need to balance a lower purchase cost with a shorter life expectancy.The size of electronic organ must be governed by the size and musical needs of the church and consideration be given to aesthetic issues such as the placing of the speakers.

WHAT CAN THE PCC DO WHEN AGREEMENT CANNOT BE REACHED?

Occasionally a situation arises when there is disagreement about a proposal relating to an organ. Rather than a PCC submitting a Faculty Petitionwhich the DAC does not recommend, it is always preferable to seek a solution through independent advice. The Church Buildings Council has a specialist organ committee which can supply consultants to visit, especially when the matter involves an instrument of historic importance. There is also the Association of Independent Organ Advisers ( through which parishes can find external help if needed.

CONCLUSION

The DAC will always recommend the retention or installation of a pipe organ where this is feasible but recognises that there may be circumstances in which alternatives have to be considered.

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