The Diocesan Organ Committee exists to advise and assist the Bishop, relevant Diocesan Committees and the clergy, wardens and musicians of parishes in the diocese who may be involved or concerned with the selecting or commissioning of a new organ or the moving, restoring or enlarging of an existing organ for a church in the Diocese of Huron.

The Diocesan Organ Committee is a sub-committee of the Diocesan Doctrine and Worship Committee.

The main concern of the Diocesan Organ Committee is to ensure that parishes select an adequate instrument for use in their parish, in accordance with the size of the building, the musical demands of the congregation, and the ability of the parish to raise funds for the project.

Pipe organs are the first preference and when that is not a possibility, high quality digital instruments, designed for church use, may be considered (such as Allen, Johannus, Phoenix and Rodgers, to name the major suppliers). The so-called “Spinet” models of home electrical instruments are very rarely likely to be appropriate for consideration for church use.

Care should be taken to ensure that any proposed instrument provides a regular “Stop list” suitable for customary church requirements. Theatrical additions of percussion, fast fade, rhythm basses, etc., are totally unsuitable for use in church services.

The Committee will not recommend a particular make or model, but will give informed guidance to the Bishop, diocesan and parish committees, and when a suitable model has been agreed upon, and financial plans for the purchase are provided, will assist in presenting the application to the Diocesan Council.

The Diocesan Council is the actual authorizing body in the matter in the Diocese of Huron and authorisation must be obtained before contracts are entered into by a parish.

Contact:
Contact with the Diocesan Organ Committee may be made through the Chairperson of the Diocesan Doctrine and Worship Committee or directly to the members of the Diocesan Organ Committee:

Angus Sinclair, OH                  angsinc@hotmail.com
Andrew Keegan Mackriell       AKeeganMackriell@stpaulscathedral.on.ca