New organ for Merton College Chapel

The chapel at Merton College Oxford has a new organ. The instrument, from Dobson Pipe Organs in Iowa; only the third American made organ to be shipped to the UK since World War II (more information about the organ with pictures on Dobson's web site). To celebrate, Merton College is having an Organ Festival. 

On Saturday 26 April 2014 John Scott launches the organ with a concert which certainly puts it through its paces, going from Scheidt to Marcel Dupre by way of Bach, Franck and Peter Racine Fricker. 

Sunday 27 April there is Sung Eucharist with David Briggs' Messe Solennelle (from the Merton Choirbook) and afternoon concert of Bach, Buxtehude, Couperin and Sweelinck and at the Evensong that evening the Bishop of Oxford dedicates the organ.

Further ahead, James O'Donnell gives a recital on 24 May performing Bach, Vierne, Durufle, Wammes and Francis Pott. On 7 June Benjamin Cholas performs Bach, Franck, Sweelinck, Vierne, Francis Jackson and the Elgar Sonata. There are recitals in the autumn from Daniel Hyde (11/10/2014) and Clive Driskill-Smith (15/11/2014)