Inside The Church Organ And Up The Bell Tower

From 12pm – 5pm on Saturday 20th September, St John's Church in Notting Hill will open up two spaces never before available to the general public. Firstly, attendees will be able to go inside the 200 year old church organ, seeing all of the complex mechanisms and 2,398 pipes up close, and hearing the organ being played from the inside. Secondly, the disused bell tower will be opened, where attendees can travel to the top, seeing the 150 year old bell and clock mechanism, and gaining excellent views of west London augmented by the church's position on top of a hill, views rarely seen by anybody before.

During this time, the church's architect and organ builder will be on hand to answer any questions about the organ's recent full restoration, made possible via a £373,500 award from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Lots of interactive organ models will be on hand for people to make use of, and attendees will also be able to tinkle the ivories on the organ itself. The whole event is being arrange to celebrate the organ's restoration.

In the evening from 5pm – 10pm, a new piece of experimental sound music will be heard called The Highest and the Lowest Notes, where the highest and lowest notes of the organ will be played continuously for five hours. Listeners will be able to come and go as they please, staying as long as they’d like and will be encouraged to move around the space, including round the back of the newly restored organ. There will also be the opportunity to participate – attendees can perform the piece of music for part of the duration, holding down the highest and lowest notes.