Gifted piano playing pupils visit historic organ (From This Is Local London)

Gifted piano playing pupils visit historic organ in Finchley

12:31pm Monday 29th March 2010 in Where I Live By Kevin Bradford

PIANO playing prodigies were last week given the chance to test their talents on a historic instrument housed in a Finchley church.

Groups of school children gathered around the pipe organ at St Mary at Finchley, in Hendon Lane, to learn about its history before attempting to adapt their key skills to tinkle some tunes.

Gifted and talented musical students from The Mount school, in Mill Hill, visited the organ as part of their studies and work towards exams.

Director of music at the school, Nina Hirsch, described it as an “enhancement trip” for the pupils, who were aged between year 3 and year 10.

She said: “We can show them the mechanisms of the organ and they can see how the pipes work, as well as experience the different range of timbres it can produce.

“Some have never been near an organ first hand before let alone play one. This is life enhancing for them and they were asking a lot of questions about it.

“It is fantastic that we can come to the church because the children wouldn't get this experience anywhere else.”

The pupils were instructed by Simon Williams, director of at Royal College of Organists, and Philip Davison, vicar at St Mary, said it was important the church continues to use its assets to help the community.

“We have got this history and tradition but it is not good if we don't pass it on,” he said.

“We see ourselves as a resource for the whole community. The organ is not ours, it is something we are keen to share with everyone.”

The organ itself, which is made up of 1,300 pipes, was built in the 1870s and the church in the process of fundraising to pay for a £110,000 overhaul.

Donations and events have already helped raise £30,000, and a committee set up to oversee the appeal have submitted a grant application for £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery fund.

Alison Fisher, director of music at St Mary, said they aim to complete the restoration to ensure future generations can enjoy the music.

She said: “The sound range of the church organ is one of the richest available apart from a full orchestra.

“The children are fascinated by it and are really attentive. It makes a lot of noise and that is what appeals to them.”

Anyone interested in helping the restoration fund can contact Alison Fisher on 020 8349 0824 or email alison.smart@ntlworld.com.