Good-as-new organ at St John’s

Over the summer, the organ at St. John the Evangelist Church in Newbury has undergone a major refurbishment.

The church has a rich history that began when the parish was founded in 1859.  The first church on the site was destroyed in a German air raid in 1943. The current church was built in 1955-1957, which incorporates glass salvaged from the old church, and it is Grade II listed.

The organ, too, has a rich history, originally installed at St Mary, Speenhamland.  It was moved and rebuilt in 1974 and it has had various modifications and improvements since.  Such huge musical instruments demand a major overhaul form time-to-time.

To mark the completion of the work, Jack Oades, Director of Music at St. Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh, will be giving a recital on Friday 25th September. Hailing from Exeter but now based in Edinburgh, Jack is an exciting up and coming young organist, conductor and composer. He is increasingly in demand as a recitalist and his compositions have been performed all over the world.

Sponsored by the Newbury & District Organists’ Association, the recital at St. John’s begins at 7.30pm. Admission is free.