The British Institute of Organ Studies (BIOS) encourages and promotes the study of the pipe organ, including the history and design of the instrument and its music. It owns the National Pipe Organ Register and is the listing body for historic organs. BIOS is effectively the amenity society for the British organ. It lobbies Government, Historic England and other national bodies on behalf of the instrument. BIOS is a registered charity No. 283936.
A brief introduction to the organ, with information on ten significant instruments can be found on the ExploreChurches website. CLICK HERE
A Video Guide to the Organ was recorded at Holbrook School by Tom Bell and Richard Brasier. CLICK HERE to visit.
Playing the pedal keyboard - Go tell it on the Mountain - CLICK HERE
A revised edition of the BIOS advice note Sound Advice - The Care of your Organ has been issued. CLICK HERE to download.
Next Event
A Day in Northamptonshire
Saturday 3 November 2018
The Leffler Manuscript REDUCED PRICE A unique collection of stop-lists compiled around 1800 and attributed to Henry Leffler. The last few copies of the hardback facsimile edition are reduced to 25 pounds plus postage - CLICK HERE
The National Pipe Organ Register (NPOR) aims to list details of every organ in the country. For more information about the NPOR CLICK HERE. For direct access to the NPOR CLICK HERE. BIOS welcomes updates and corrections which should be sent to npor@bios.org.uk The National Pipe Organ Register is free of charge to users but costs money to provide. Please make a Donation - CLICK HERE
BIOS is responsible for the listing of historic organs. To see the listing criteria CLICK HERE. To access details of listed organs, CLICK HERE To see details of the latest Grade 1 listings CLICK HERE. For all the latest listings CLICK HERE. Can you offer a suitable initial assessment of a new candidate for listing ? For more details CLICK HERE Nominations should be submitted to the co-ordinator at hocs@bios.org.uk
Proposals should present some recent research into aspects of organ history, including music and performance. A broad range of subjects are encouraged and papers on organs and organ builders, including British organ-builders working overseas and organs built in Britain by foreign organ-builders, will be welcomed alongside papers more broadly based.
Papers should be around twenty-five minutes in length, and the use of musical and pictorial illustrations is encouraged. Students are encouraged to apply for short slots to present initial research findings.
Proposals will be reviewed by members of BIOS Council and the authors will be notified as soon as possible.
A summary proposal of 200 words, along with a brief biographical note, should be sent by 29 October 2018
The British Organ Archive (BOA) includes original order books and drawings, contemporary journals and publications and the Andrew Freeman photographic record. It is located at the University of Birmingham. For more information CLICK HERE. Enquiries should be sent to the Cadbury Research Library staff at special-collections@bham.ac.uk
The BIOS Webstore For copies of BIOS Journal (including issues right back to No1), copies of 'In Search of Organs', the Leffler facsimile and the Historic Organ Sound Archive CD, - CLICK HERE
The full alphabetic index to BIOS Journal issues 16-25 is now available online CLICK HERE The alphabetic location index to BIOS Journal issues 26-30 is now available online CLICK HERE
Organ Music on-line is now available 24/7. Over 111,000 listeners in its first 12 months. Try it at www.orgelradio.eu Thursday is Bach day !
Video clips of four of the organs on the Restoration Successes page are now available. CLICK HERE
Clips of two of the organs recently listed Grade 1 are now available. CLICK HERE
BIOS News & Services
Day Conference at Finedon (B.Smith 1704)
and Raunds (P.Conacher 1893)
