Mixture: New Music For Organ And Electronics

Seven composers at postgraduate level premiere works performed by emerging organists, intended to re-imagine the organ and the space of Union Chapel.

The evening concert is a culmination of a masterclass that forms part of Union Chapel’s Organ Education Programme. Over six months, students from Guildhall School of Music and Drama, University of Cambridge and Goldsmiths College have worked directly with an organist to compose pieces inspired by Union Chapel and its unique organ.

The programme is designed to encourage young composers to explore writing for organ, an instrument not always accessible to them. It also aim to offer emerging organists the opportunity to learn how to work with composers and perform new music. The programme was established in 2014 by Composer and Music Director of the Organ at Union Chapel, Claire M Singer.

“It’s really important to not only embrace the historic organ repertoire but also help it to grow. It is important to offer opportunities to composers and performers (new, emerging and established) encouraging them to spend time with the instrument, take risks, push the boundaries of the current repertoire and continue to celebrate this wonderful instrument full of endless sonic possibilities” - Claire M Singer

“As someone with no prior knowledge of how the Organ works, the masterclass series was fascinating and gave a great insight into the potential of this instrument. Having the chance to work closely with very talented organists is amazing and I don’t think I would have considered writing a piece for the organ if it wasn’t for this project” Rachael Gibson, Goldsmiths College

These masterclasses are part of a much wider organ education programme at the Chapel. Other activities include school workshops in the likes of acoustic composition, creative writing and physical theatre, all centred around the organ. There are also weekly lessons for local Secondary School students in partnership with #InspiringOrganists and interactive organ tours throughout the year.

Union Chapel have also welcomed their first Organ Scholar Jay Richardson. A Pembroke College Cambridge graduate Jay will be working at the Chapel for the next year. He will be programming the traditional recital series, searching for hidden gems in Union Chapel’s organ music archive, and performing in this year’s Mixture.

“I’m hugely honoured to be taking up the first ever Organ Scholarship at Union Chapel. We hope that this new post will help to expand the Chapel’s already ambitious, varied and highly renowned programme of events and projects; I’ll be focusing particularly on curating regular recitals of the existing organ repertoire and delving into the archive. I’m utterly thrilled to be working in such a supportive environment at the cutting edge of the arts and can’t wait to begin working in the Union Chapel community” Jay Richardson, Union Chapel Organ Scholar.