|
In its first quarter of a century history, The British Institute of Organ Studies has made an impressive contribution to scholarship and understanding of the organ in Great Britain, particularly through research and documentation. This significant occasion is a cause for great rejoicing and acknowledgement. Years back, the absence of scholarly research relating to the organ in Great Britain was problematic. One can recall some impressive treatises on the organ being published with scarcely a single footnote or observation of scholarly convention. What were the sources of such material? Was it based on hearsay or was it derived from impeccable documentary sources? Was it accurate? We may never know. BIOS has certainly acted as a strong catalyst towards careful research, provided a forum for the exchange of information and has assisted in the preservation of rare records. Its publishing programme has been highly impressive and events have been organised on a regular basis to explore relevant topics and share knowledge. The achievements of BIOS have been many but the following might be highlighted: Documentation The implementation of the NPOR has been an outstanding success and has greatly assisted in enhancing knowledge of Britain's organ heritage. The database has proven to be especially valuable in the estimation of significance - where can comparable examples be found and how intact are they? Even from as far afield as Australia, I have searched on the NPOR frequently to determine the importance of surviving instruments internationally and indeed to track down suitable models when restoration is being contemplated. Research, publications and publicity The convening of conferences and seminars has been a valuable way of focussing upon specific topics, these serving to publicise the work of the organization and secure new members. Many of the papers have subsequently appeared in the BIOS Journal an immensely valuable resource, assisted by a comprehensive index.. The rotation of the editorship has proven to be an excellent formula and enabled individual volumes to examine particular issues. Its presentation has been uniformly excellent and a great credit to John Brennan. News items have appeared from the outset in the BIOS Reporter, an informative source of topical information. Finally, the BIOS Website has also proven to be a valuable initiative and an excellent means of promoting the organisation and its objectives. Conservation activities Over the past twenty-five years, standards of restoration have increased enormously with the emergence of specialist skills while the publication of Guidelines for Conservation and Restoration (1991) established valuable principles. Concern for the preservation of redundant organs has been an issue since the outset, initially through listing in the BIOS Reporter and the subsequent establishment of the Redundant Organ Rehousing Company Ltd by BIOS members. Many instruments at risk have thus found new homes. The issuing of Historic Organ Certificates has also been an excellent way of recognising (and hopefully preserving) instruments of special significance. Preservation of records This was an issue touched upon in the initial editorial in the first issue of the BIOS Reporter. The comprehensive assemblage of material now held at the British Organ Archive in Birmingham has directly assisted an outstanding level of authoritative research in recent years, certainly culminating in such landmarks as the books by Nicholas Thistlethwaite (The Making of the Victorian Organ) and Stephen Bicknell (The History of the English Organ). The organ-building records have made it possible in some instances for altered instruments to be accurately reconstructed (the provision of the Hill working drawings for St John's, Toorak, Melbourne from the Archive enabled the careful replacement of the original layout, console and choir enclosure). BIOS has certainly greatly facilitated contact between researchers, and the exchange of information, now very easy through e-mail and the comprehensive address list. Through distance I have only be able to participate in a handful of events, but it is true to say that I have a responsive network of people to whom I can turn to ask essential questions and indeed many friends throughout the organization. I have always felt that I have been kept very much in touch with activities and research. There are interesting parallels with the Organ Historical Trust of Australia, which was founded shortly after that of BIOS. Here the focus again has been upon documentation (some hundreds of historic instruments in Australia and New Zealand have received technical documentations), the publication of Gazetteers, the inauguration of a website, the holding of conferences and the publication of a quarterly journal. Like BIOS, the past twenty-five years has seen an unprecedented number of careful restorations taking place and the development of a high level of expertise. The links between the organizations have been ongoing and valuable through the exchange of information, visits, mutual assistance and support, with several OHTA councillors serving on the BIOS Council from time to time. If there are any disappointments, the excellent published Membership List suggests that many prominent names in the British organ world have not joined BIOS. While not necessarily indicating a lack of support for its principles, it would be good to think that such illustrious musicians felt that they might benefit from membership and indeed learning something. Maybe this is a challenge to be taken up with renewed vigour! Another and more serious challenge is to manage the level of organ redundancies - maybe there will have to be greater selectivity about what can be saved. Finally we must congratulate those visionary people back in 1976 whose hard work has earned such ample dividends. We must acknowledge especially Nicholas Thistlethwaite's concept, the vigorous effort which took place at the outset, Michael Gillingham's inspired chairmanship and the dedicated ongoing work of office bearers and councillors over a quarter of a century. I must finish with an amusing story. It was the 1980 visit of the Gesellschaft der Orgelfreunde to England which took place in association with BIOS. On the first day the group descended upon St James's, Clerkenwell. Michael Gillingham (impeccably attired) and the recitalist Thomas Trotter arrived in a chauffeured Rolls-Royce just as the bus was disgorging its passengers. The European visitors were highly impressed by all this: cameras were clicking away and comments overheard suggested that the occupants of the vehicle might have been British royalty! After the concert the process repeated in reverse: Michael and Thomas exited the church, clambering through the throng, the chauffeur saluted and the visitors were agog, being forced to step around the Rolls. The vehicle slowly took off, the passengers apparently exiting just around the corner, and could scarcely contain themselves - the ploy had worked! (John Maidment OAM is chairman of the Organ Historical Trust of Australia and has been a member of BIOS from the outset). |