Herefordshire Organists' Society

Meetings

Meetings are held monthly (except December) usually on Saturdays and there are occasionally additional events at other times. Activities include recitals, master classes, lectures, visits to organs, social events etc. The dates of meetings are publicised in a programme card issued annually and in "Organists' Review" - (see below). A quarterly newsletter, HOSNEWS, giving details of meetings, and containing local news and views, is sent to all members.

Membership

Membership is open to all, principally to organists and lovers of organ music, and the basic subscription is £9 a year, payable on the 1st January. There are concessionary rates for senior citizens and students. These rates include capitation payable to the IAO. There is also a secondary subscription of £3 for 'social' members, i.e. spouse/partner of full member, 'country' members who live outside the area, and others already belonging to the IAO and subscribing elsewhere. Some meetings attract a meeting fee, principally to enable us to make group donations where appropriate. Members are recommended to subscribe to the "Organists' Review" at a discounted price either independently or through the Society. This quarterly journal is published by the IAO and is one of the leading world magazines for organists and their instruments. If you would like more details of HOS membership or the "Organists' Review" you are invited to get in touch with the Secretary, Ian Higton.

Officers

The Society is controlled by a committee, which includes:

• Chairman - Vic Seal
• Treasurer - Max Johnson
• Secretary - Ian Higton (01432) 273985 or email - desmondhigton@btinternet.com .

Deputy Register

The Society maintains a register of organists who are available to deputise at times of illness or holidays. Enquiries to Angus Smart 01432 268830 or email - angussmart@waitrose.com .

Organists' Training Scheme

Diocese of Hereford Organists' Training Scheme, opened in 2001, is a subsidiary of the Society and receives our active support. The Director is Hilary Norris and courses of 15 lessons a year ( or at a frequency to suit individual students) are arranged. A team of qualified tutors is available. Enquiries to the Scheme Secretary - Anne Jardine (01531 631445) or email - anne.jardine@btopenworld.com .

Programme 2009/2010

(Some dates are provisional - consult HOSNEWS for final arrangements.)

Jan 23 2010 - 2:15pm An evening with Roger Judd, MVO - at St Mary's, Grandstand Road, Hereford

Feb 20 2010 - 7:00pm Society AGM, refreshment, short recital - Holy Trinity Church, Whitecross, Hereford

Feb 27 2010 - 10:00am (DHOTS) - Workshop - Hereford Cathedral School. Improvisation, continued - Peter Dyke & Hilary Norris

Mar 20 2010 - 2:15pm Leominster Priory - Hilary Norris 'Georgian Music - Stanley to Mendelssohn' (joint meeting with Shrewsbury &DOCA)

Apr 10 2010 - 2:15pm Church Stretton PC - Bromfield, St Mary

May 7/8 2010 - Spring outing - St Albans Cathedral and neighbouring area

Jun 19 2010 - 2:15pm St Mary, Bridgnorth - St Gregory, Morville

June 29 2010 - (tba) (DHOTS) - Workshop - Lugwardine PC - Baroque articulation - Hilary Norris & David Hatcher

Jul 17 2010 - 7:00pm Holy Trinity, Whitecross, Hereford - Members' Concert Evening

Jul 25/30 2010 - IAO Annual Congress, Brighton

Aug 21 2010 - 2:15pm St Mary, Hay on Wye and local churches (tba)

Sep 18 2010 - 2:15pm Llandaff Cathedral

Oct 2 2010 - (tba) Annual Society Lunch

Oct 16 2010 - 10:00am (DHOTS) - Workshop - Ludlow - French Romantic Music - Shaun Ward

Oct 22/24 2010 - (tba) Oundle visit - details in HOSNEWS

Nov 6 2010 - 10:00am Ledbury PC - Members' Workshop - led by Fiona Chryssides

Jan 15 2011 - (tba) Ledbury PC - Henry Fairs - Illustrated talk on Mendelssohn

HOS members and visitors are welcome to DHOTS (Diocese of Hereford Organists' Training Scheme) events and likewise DHOTS students to HOS events. Enquiries to the Secretaries, Ian Higton (HOS) and Anne Jardine (DHOTS) - contact details above.