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[A brochure
is available as a pdf file that you can print
out
at A4 size, double-sided]
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To promote objective, scholarly research into the history of the organ and its music in all its aspects, and, in particular, into the organ and its music in Britain. To conserve the sources and materials for the history of the organ in Britain, and to make them accessible to scholars. To work for the preservation, and where necessary, the faithful restoration of historic organs in Britain. To
encourage
an exchange of scholarship with similar bodies and individuals abroad,
and to promote, in Britain, a greater appreciation of historical
overseas
schools of organ-building. |
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The
British
Institute of Organ Studies (BIOS) exists to encourage and promote the
study
of the pipe organ, its history and design, and to increase appreciation
and understanding of its music by both organists and the general
public.
The society serves as the amenity society for the British pipe organ.
Whatever
one's definition of "historic", these are instruments of great musical
and visual character; they are part of the nation's heritage, and can
teach
us much about the work of former craftsmen who built them and the
manner
in which the organ was used by previous generations of musicians who
played
them, and of composers who wrote for them. BIOS also seeks to conserve
sources and materials related to the history of organs, and make them
accessible
for study by individuals and sympathetic organisations in Britain and
abroad.
BIOS seeks to further the main objectives in a variety of ways: Representations
BIOS has
recently made
a submission
to
the Parliamentary Select Commitee for Culture, Media & Sport, concerning
better recognition and protection for historic
organs, we
hope you will wish to support. BIOS comments
on the recent government Heritage White Paper.
Press Release [May 2007] . Publications - All subscribing members receive each year's publications.
Journal Contents List [Positif Press website] . BIOS
arranges day conferences and an annual residential conference, with
lectures,
recitals, seminars, and demonstrations of old and new organs. Details
of forthcoming
events,
and booking arrangements can be found on the Events page.
.
Organs
Register
A searchable register of pipe organs, the National Pipe Organ Register (NPOR) is established, containing detailed information gathered about very many organs in all parts of the country. The register is growing, and being corrected and updated. The Archive index can also be searched on-line, by place/address or organ-builder. An interim Directory of British organ-builders (DBOB) can be consulted. .
Historic Organs Sound Archive HOSA is a BIOS project, assisted with substantial Heritage Lottery funding, to record for posterity in the NPOR, and promote through educational events, some historic pipe organs. The first phase of what is intended to be an on-going project has been completed, with recordings of 40 organs in East Anglia. This initial programme it is hoped will pressage similar further regional initiatives. Further details of the completed project are available online through the hotlink [HOSA project details]. A CD exhibiting 14 of the East Anglian organs is available for purchase [Purchase the CD] .
Archive
The British Organ Archive (BOA) itself remains housed and available in the City Archives, Birmingham Central Library, B3 3HQ (Tel: 0121 303 4217; fax: 0121 233 4458; e-mail), open Tuesdays,Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10am - 5pm, and to 8pm on Thursdays. It is always best to check opening in advance, as different hours may apply if there are staff shortages. The BIOS Archivist will be pleased to help with BOA enquiries . Records of organ builders, organs and players are deposited there, and are available for research. An information service to members, organ builders, advisers, churches, and the public, is available (though constrained by availability and administrative priorities) by writing to the Archive. . Published research papers include Pipe Markings I and II and a Gray & Davison Shoplist, which are available for purchase. . BIOS had hoped to cooperate in planning with the Royal College of Organists and the then University of Central England [BCU] to establish library and archival resources in what was to be called the British Organ Library. A review of possibilities for a possible way forward is in hand following the RCO's decision to abandon proposals for its new headquarters and resource at Curzon Street Station, Birmingham. Meanwhile be assured that the British Organ Archive has remained and still continues and can be used for organ research at Birmingham Central Library. .
Historic
Organ Certificate Scheme
.
BIOS operates a scheme whereby organs of particular merit may be awarded a Certificate to recognise this fact. The scheme, which began some 10 years ago, has already identified some historically important organs in the UK, which in the opinion of BIOS should be preserved in an unaltered state as part of our cultural heritage. The scheme has recently been reviewed and the following criteria have been established for the award of graded certificates: . I - An organ of outstanding historic and musical interest II - An organ of special historic and musical interest (within this category some organs will be of considerable interest and categorised as II*). . A "Certificate of Recognition" may be awarded to instruments which contain important archaeological material or historic casework, in an otherwise undistinguished instrument. Any organ nominated under the scheme will be inspected by assessors on behalf of BIOS, and because of this it is inevitable that the list of organs awaiting consideration will grow, and the process may be lengthy. Every effort will be made, however, to investigate as many as possible given the limitations of BIOS, both in terms of personnel and finance. The HOCS Co-ordinator, to whom all enquiries should be addressed, is included in the list of BIOS officers below. Preservation
BIOS strives to encourage owners to retain and preserve historic organs, but as a last resort, tries to find alternative homes for displaced instruments of musical and historic worth (see the Casework & Conservation page, including a list of current notifications of redundant organs). BIOS is seeking a legal framework to secure better recognition and protection for historic organs. |
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.
BIOS is a society made by and responsible to its members. The organ and its music - the largest of all solo repertoires - continually attract much interest, technical skill and intelligent musicianship, so the Society looks forward to a growing membership, and would welcome you. If you appreciate a unique society combining historical, musical and technical interests; if you play the organ and work on enlarging your repertory; if you visit instruments or need to learn more about particular kinds of organ, as a builder, restorer, adviser, curator, or saviour of a threatened instrument; if you would benefit from exchange with established scholars; if you have suggestions for, or wish to contribute to publications or conferences:- then BIOS is not only for you but would welcome your contribution to what many an ancient writer called the "Instrument of Instruments". DO JOIN US! |
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Currently BIOS has some 675
members,
mostly in Britain,
but a number in European countries, the USA, Canada, the Far East and
Australasia.
The Council and membership include advisers, archivists, authors,
enthusiasts,
historians, organ-builders, scholars, teachers and performers.
Membership
is open to anyone who supports the Society's Aims.
. The subscription year is calendar, with subscriptions due on 1st January. Current minimum annual subscription rates (to be paid in £ sterling) for 2006 are Ordinary Members £30.00 and Concessions £24.00; for foreign transfers add £8 bank transaction charges to these rates, and if you want our publications to be air-mailed to please add £10. Subscription rates are reviewed from time to time, including the concessions for bona fide students and senior citizens. A brochure with membership application form is available in pdf format online (the form includes Standing Order and Credit/Debit card mandate forms you can print off for completion and return), or ask for a membership pack from the Membership Secretary (see details of personnel below). . . As a registered Charity, BIOS can recover from the Inland Revenue UK Income Tax deemed to have been paid on payments to BIOS by members who have made a Gift Aid declaration. The tax is extra to the net payment, and is therefore of significant financial benefit to the society, at no cost the member. Joining the Gift Aid scheme is now very easy. A simple Gift Aid Declaration form is available online to print off, complete and send to the Membership Secretary, or, if you prefer, just e-mail, fax or telephone him, and BIOS will see to the paperwork. |
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*** Information about
Give As You Earn *** Charity
Card
***
*** Donating to a charity *** Charity Commission News *** |
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BIOS has established three restricted
accounts,
one a dedicated fund supporting the Archive, a second dedicated to the
HOSA project, and the other an Endowment Fund, the income from which
can
in appropriate circumstances be made available for special projects and
purchases to further the Institute's activities. [Please note: BIOS
does
not give grants to help fund work on organs].
Individuals or organisations who might be considering supporting the aims and activities of BIOS in general, or in relation to particular tasks, by making a grant or donation of any kind, as a single or by regular payment or as a bequest in a Will, are welcome to contact the Hon.Treasurer to discuss opportunities. |
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[The charity's Council and statutory trustees underlined] Chairman: John Norman BSc., FIMIT, FISOB 15 Baxendale, London N20 0EG Tel: 02084 450801. E-mail . Past Chairmen
Canon Nicholas Thistlethwaite MA., PhD 3 Cathedral Close, GUILDFORD, Surrey GU2 5TL Tel/Fax: 01483-569682; (Office: 01483-565287). E-mail . Secretary: Mrs José Hopkins BA., MMus., ACertCM Lime
Tree
Cottage, 39 Church Street, Haslingfield, Cambridge CB23 1JE
Tel/Fax: 01223-872190 E-mail . Treasurer:
Richard
Hird MA., MRTPI., LTCL
46 Hallgarth Street, DURHAM DH1 3AT Tel: 0191-386-2301 E-mail . Membership
Secretary:
Peter
M
Harrison BSc., ATCL., MIBS
P H Music, PO Box 383, BURY, BL8 4WX Tel: 01204-887161 E-mail . Information
Services: Vacancy
. or
via:
Tel. 0121-303-4217; Fax:
0121 233
4458; e-mailThe British Organ Archive, Birmingham City Archives, Central Library, BIRMINGHAM B3 3HQ . Publicity
Officer:
.
Meetings
Officer:
Ashcroft, 10 Ridgegate Close, REIGATE, Surrey, RH2
0HT Melvin Hughes MA, ARCO, LRSM, ARCM Tel No: 01737 241355 E-mail . Casework
and Conservation Officer:
Andrew
Hayden
BMus., MPhil., FTCL
Casework
e-mail ||
Current
redundancy notifications 79 The Common, Freethorpe, Norwich NR13 4LX Tel: 01493-700-258 E-mail . Paul
Joslin
MMus., GRSM., LRAM., ARCM
109 Hanover Road, Willesden Green, LONDON NW10 3DN Tel/Fax: 020-8459-5547 E-mail . Publications
Officer:
David
Ponsford MA, PhD, FRCO,
ARCM
Ford Cottage, Middle Duntisbourne, CIRCENCESTER Gloucs.
GL7 7AR Tel No: 01285 651 995 E-mail . Editor
(varies):
No.31 (2007)
- D.Knight
No.32 (2008) - C.Berry Journal
contents list
A
full Index
to Journals I to XV is available from the Hon.Treasurer,
price £10.
A further Index, to Journals XVI to XXX is in
preparation. . Journal Reviews Editor - Vacant . Reporter Editor (Coopted to Council): Prof.
David Shuker Phd DIC BSc ARCS
11 Oldfield Lane, Rothley, Leics. LE7 7QDTel: 0116 230 3442 E-Mail. .
.
Explore the Reporter online. A comprehensive Index to the Reporter, years 1 to 10, is available from the Hon.Treasurer, price £2.50. Overseas
liaison:
US
liaison: Christopher
Anderson 422 Ridge Crest Drive, Richardson,
Dallas TX
75080 USA
.
Other
members of Council:
Barrie Clark Reigate [BIOS Heritage
Adviser] David Knight PhD, London E-mail Kate Pardee PhD, Oxford E-mail Nigel Stark MA ARCO, Birmingham E-mail |
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Related
pages:
Leaflets:
"Sound Advice - the care of your pipe organ" "A Guide to Grants for work on historic pipe organs" |
Other information sources, and some external links, at home and abroad:
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The Association
of Independent Organ Advisers maintains a list of accredited
independent organ advisers able to assist those wishing to commission
new
organs or restore existing ones.
Contact: The Administrator: AIOA, Timothy Lawford, 47 Constable Road, Ipswich IP4 2UZ. Tel.& Fax.01473- 219102; E-mail The Institute
of British Organbuilding is committed to promoting,
achieving
and sustaining the highest standards in the building and care of pipe
organs,
and has introduced a system of accreditation. Details from: The Administrator, IBO, 13
Ryefield, Thurston,
Bury St.Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 3TD
Tel. and Fax 01359- 233433 ; E-mail The IBO's Advice
Leaflets on organ issues are available online.
. The Incorporated
Association of Organists
Webmaster: Anthony
Cairns
The
Organs
Committee of the Council
for the Care of Churches[CCC]
Contact: David
Knight : Conservation Adviser.
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