Church wants children to pipe up

(With an organ, not tobacco)

Both hands, both feet and three keyboards. Hands, feet, space, you could say. Here's an instrument designed to challenge, and for which some of the world's gloomiest music has been written and whose most famous proponent is a masked phantom. 

For those who believe the organ deserves a revival, a new scheme in Devon, backed by the church, is giving youngsters a chance to get their hands - and feet - on some of the county's most historic instruments, some of which can make extremely rude noises.

PipeUp Devon has been set up by three organists: Andrew Millington, the former director of music at Exeter Cathedral, Peter King, organist emeritus at Bath Abbey and Ian Curror, the former director of music at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. You don't need to be posh or holy to give it a go. You do need to already play an instrument though, and be between 10 and 18 years old.

Andrew Millington said: "Mozart described the organ as 'the king of the instruments. We hope to revitalise the art of organ playing by offering training to young players." He says the organ was an instrument for everyone, regardless of class, background or age. "A degree of innate talent is needed in order to make progress, but basic enthusiasm is the key, plus some parental support."

The PipeUp Devon initiative follows a similar scheme in Salisbury. The funding has come from the Ouseley Church Music Trust and the St Wilfrid’s Trust, as well as money raised through the Exeter & District Organists’ Association. Students will receive subsidised tuition at all levels, from beginner to diploma standard. Lessons will be available across Devon, and youngsters will have to volunteer to play the organ at their local church once they have learned the basics.

Peter King said he had begun playing the organ as a schoolboy, but with fewer children now regularly going to traditional church services, there were fewer opportunities for them to hear the organ and be inspired to play themselves.

Peter said, "Because some churches need an organist every Sunday there are lots of performance possibilities, so students will not be learning the instrument in a vacuum. He also said learning the organ could really suit young people who liked a physical and mental challenge, "No other instrument requires you to play with both hands and both feet, to play on two, three or four keyboards and to change stops. Acquiring the skill to manage all that is a tremendously satisfying experience.

"Organists delight in the rude noises they can produce with their feet and the opportunity to shock unsuspecting congregations with their loud trumpets.

Andrew Millington agreed that playing the organ was a special experience. "There is nothing like the thrill of filling a large building with glorious sound and enhancing worship in regular services and special ceremonies such as weddings," he said.

More information about PipeUp Devon is at: https://exeter.anglican.org/resources/worship/pipeup-devon/