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BIOS News & Events
New to the HOSA YouTube channel
The BIOS Historic Organ Sound Archive (HOSA) continues to grow. The latest addition to the YouTube collection is the 1755 Snetzler organ now at Clare College in Cambridge and restored by the William Drake company. (NPOR A01068). Dr Anna Steppler plays music by Eliza Turner, Maurice Greene, Ignatius Sancho, Elisabetta de Gambarini and G F […] read more
Richard Hird
Richard D. Hird MA MRTPI LTCL had a number of roles in the UK organ world and died a few days ago. He was active in several organisations as well as BIOS. For many years he was the BIOS Honorary Treasurer and also built and managed the website BIOS used until 2012. By profession he […] read more
New listings of Historic Organs
The January meeting of the BIOS Council approved three new Historic Organ Listings. Upper Slaughter, St Peter, 1855 J Walker [D01288]: Grade II A surviving, characteristic example of an organ from 1855 by a prominent builder at a period of transition in British organ building. Harby, St Mary 1808 Elliot, 1874 Lloyd [K01581]: Grade II […] read more
RIP John Norman
BIOS is very sorry to notify the death of John Norman, for many years a trustee and Council Member of BIOS, and for several years also its chairman and until quite recently, its webmaster. That he held Honorary Life Membership of BIOS is an indication of the huge amount we owe to him. All of […] read more
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 […] read more
RIP Dr Christopher Kent BEM and David Wickens
BIOS Council is sorry to hear of the deaths of two long-standing members, David Wickens and Dr Christopher Kent BEM. David was BIOS Archivist for many years and the publisher of important books on Samuel Green and the intricacies of pipe-scaling. Christopher was an Elgar scholar and founder of the Organ Historiography Course at the […] read more
Holdich’s book of watercolours
BIOS has recently purchased a document for the British Organ Archive. It is an album of ephemera relating to the work and life of George Maydwell Holdich (1816-1896), including specifications, watercolours and letters, etc. The watercolours are finely executed, showing interesting detail. They cover the period 1838 to 1845. It is not clear exactly what […] read more
Restoration Successes
Christ Church, Spitalfields, London Nicholas Hawksmoor’s monumental church houses Richard Bridge’s equally impressive organ of 1735. This famous instrument was the largest organ in England at the time of its construction. Neglected and out of use for many years, the organ has been stripped of Victorian accretions and restored to its original glory. The work […] read more
Dominic Gwynn RIP
We are sad to announce the death of Dominic Gwynn, Founder and Partner in Martin Goetze & Dominic Gwynn. Dominic was a pioneer, author and historian. His work in the field of historic restoration and reconstruction, along with his research into the pre-Victorian English organ, made him a leading light in the organ building and […] read more
