Bernard Edmonds Research Conference 2025

Saturday February 22nd 2025 – 10.30 for 11.00

The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, 200, Jennens Road, Birmingham B3 7XR

The Bernard Edmonds Research Conference will take place in February at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.  We are most grateful to Daniel Moult, Head of Organ Studies (and BIOS member) for arranging this.  Our meeting will take place in a seminar room as there is another event in the Organ Studio that day, but I hope we might be able to see the new instrument recently installed by William Drake Ltd at some point. 

The programme will include:

• Drew Cantrill-Fenwick — English influences on nineteenth-century French organ culture;
• David Shuker — The organs and women organists of Eaton Hall, Cheshire in the Georgian and Victorian era;
• Owen Woods — Harrison and Harrison and the History of the French Horn Stop;
• William McVicker — The Holdich Album, recently acquired for the British Organ Archive;
• and papers by Dr Anna Steppler (Cambridge), Robin St John Shakespeare (Dublin) and Martin Renshaw (London).

Please book before Friday 14th February 2025.

or download the booking form and return it to the Meetings Officer.

CALL FOR PAPERS – RECENT RESEARCH IN ORGAN STUDIES

Proposals for papers are invited.  BIOS Council considers this event to be a significant occasion in the annual programme, fundamental to BIOS’ published aims.  Its revival in 2023 after a pause of three years was strongly supported by members and guests and we hope for a similar response in 2025 encouraged by a programme of stimulating papers reflecting recent research.  

Proposals should present recent research into aspects of organ history, including music and performance.  A broad range of subjects is encouraged, and papers on organs and organ builders, including British organ-builders working overseas and organs built in Britain by foreign organ-builders are welcomed alongside papers more broadly based. Papers about organ repertoire, organ playing, composers and performers are also encouraged.

Papers should be around twenty-five minutes in length, and the use of musical and pictorial illustrations is encouraged. Full audio-visual facilities will be available. Students are encouraged to apply for short slots if they wish to present initial research findings.

Proposals will be reviewed by members of BIOS Council and the authors of successful proposals will be notified as soon as possible.

A summary proposal of 200 words, along with a brief biographical note, should be sent as soon as possible, but enquiries are welcome at any time.

Richard Hobson, 52, Dickinson Square, Croxley Green Rickmansworth, Herts. WD3 3EY

Tel No: 01923 718870. Email: meetings@bios.org.uk