The Organ
The Harrison and Harrison organ was a gift to St
John's from the Misses MacRae of Stenhouse. It is a memorial to their
mother, who was a loyal and committed member of St John's. When major
repair was needed in 1969 and the addition of the Positive Organ
suggested, so that the sound in the Nave would be improved, the Misses
MacRae again provided the funds, for both the repair and the building
of the Positive Organ.
St John's was indeed fortunate to be the beneficiary of such generosity. For its part, it has sought to maintain the organ in good working order through regular maintenance. However, like all things mechanical, parts and systems (like the electrics) in the organ do wear out and, in 1995, the Vestry was advised by Harrison and Harrison that a major overhaul would be required within the next 10 to 15 years (between 2005 and 2010). In addition, a fire in the church, in the autumn of 2001, caused smoke damage to the organ. In the light of the advice on the need for the forthcoming major overhaul, and since the organ was still usable, it was decided to put the smoke damage repair work on hold until the need for future work, along with the financial implications, could be properly assessed.
At a Special General Meeting of the congregation on 28th March 2006, having considered the options and likely costs involved, it was agreed that major overhaul and renovation of the organ should go ahead and that a fundraising appeal would be mounted to raise the necessary funds. It was also agreed that the fundraising brief should include a proposal for transforming and relocating the existing Positive Organ, but that this would only be done if sufficient funds were forthcoming and after further consideration of exactly what is needed and proposed. The work would be scheduled for 2008.
The congregation also recognised its stewardship role in respect of the organ and agreed that an annual sum should be set aside for future general maintenance and repair.
Harrison and Harrison organs are regarded as being of the highest quality and the Rolls Royce of organs. The organ at St John's is a fine and valuable instrument, part of its history, heritage and architecture. We have a duty to conserve and preserve it.
Whilst it is important to St John's, the organ is also a
significant asset for the wider community of Dumfries and South West
Scotland. Part of the fundraising appeal is to raise awareness of t
his and
to encourage more use of the organ as a musical instrument, not just
for church services but also for recitals and as part of other musical
and arts events.
Having a high quality pipe organ in Dumfries has attracted good organists and, importantly, contributed to the teaching of young organists, who have the opportunity to learn and practise on the St John's organ. The encouragement of young musical talent has been something of which St John's and its Director of Music, Tom Carrick, have been proud over the years. The refurbished instrument will help to ensure that this can continue.
The refurbished and rebuilt organ was rededicated by Bishop John Taylor (a former Rector of St John’s) during the 11.00 am service on Sunday, February 1st 2009. On the following Saturday, there was a celebratory organ recital, given by John Robinson, the Assistant Organist at Canterbury Cathedral.