BIOS Reporter

When in September 1982 the society honoured me by electing me to the office of Chairman I set myself a programme of activity designed to build on the firm foundations laid by my worthy predecessor. I remember describing this programme as encompassing a policy of coordination and consolidation, together with an effort to provide a sound financial base for the… read more

Our last Editorial ended with a paragraph alluding to the unprecedented number of civic concert organs threatened with redundancy and possible destruction. Such instruments are a great anxiety to us: with one or two noble exceptions t hese organs are grossly under-used, and they suffer from being housed in old civic halls which have no pretensions to meeting the requirements… read more

This must be an editorial in two parts. First, to conclude our remarks on the Report of the Faculty Jurisdiction Commission. What we had to say in our last issue was chiefly of a complementary nature – though we avoided the question of whether the precise proposals went far enough. This time, we will appear less satisfied with what the… read more

The publication earlier this year of the Report of the Faculty Jurisdiction Commission (‘The Continuing Care of Churches and Cathedrals’) had been long looked forward to. The establishment of the Commission was, in part at least, an attempt to meet growing unease among the amenity societies, conservation groups, and individual architects and art historians, about the implications of the so-called… read more

In the last issue of the Reporter I suggested that it was necessary to make full use of BIOS’ recently acquired charitable status to assist us in achieving financial stability, and so enabling us to extend our scope as a society. At the moment, the Council frequently feels frustrated by hand-to-mouth budgeting, which is the only way to maintain even… read more

It is no mistake that the word ‘Britain’ occurs in each of the four ‘Aims of BIOS’ which appear quarterly on the back page of this publication – “the Organ and its music in Britain”, “the history of the Organ in Britain”, “historic organs in Britain”, and so on. The appearance of the word ‘British’ in the society’s name is,… read more

It is now two years since Michael Gillingham first indicated to members of BIOS that he felt the time to be approaching when he should retire from the Chairmanship of the society. The Council could only accept his decision with reluctance, but at the A.G.M. on Saturday, September 24th, a successor was duly elected. On that occasion, Mr. Gillingham was… read more

Why do musicians and the musical public still spurn the organ ? For spurn it, they (largely) do. There are, of course, exceptions. This summer, in the great tourist centres, there will be series of organ recitals which are very well attended: at Westminster Abbey, in the Oxford and Cambridge college chapels, and so on. Many of those who attend… read more

We recently received a letter from an organ builder, who, for reasons which will be apparent, had best remain anonymous. The salient paragraph of the letter went as follows: It is with some sadness that I note the mention in this month’s Reporter of the Hill organ from Leith. We have today received an invitation from the Department of the… read more

‘Leave well alone’ is a motto which (translated into a suitably ancient language) a conservation society might be expected to make its own with enthusiasm. As a motto, there is, indeed, something to be said for it: it underlines the principal concern of all conservers – that what is good should be left alone, and that we should not seek… read more