Local school children enjoyed a trip to Wells Cathedral for an ‘Organ Discovery Day’—organised by the Friends of Wells Cathedral as part of the Grand Organ Appeal—this Friday, 24 May 2024.

Children enjoyed warmups and musical games in the Education Room before discovering the WOOFYT – the Wooden One-octave Organ For Young Technicians—in a workshop led by creator Jeremy Sampson.

Later, Assistant Director of Music Carolyn Craig put concepts into practice with a live tour and demonstration of the Cathedral’s Grand Organ: loud and soft, high and low; using hands and feet to play; explaining the swell, great, solo and choir manuals; and the different sonic qualities of flutes, principals, reeds, and strings. Musical highlights by J. S. Bach, and excerpts from Harry Potter, Frozen, and Star Wars went down a storm with the young listeners!

Children were invited to ask questions before the event ended, learning about the current problems with the Cathedral organ, how one becomes an organist, and much more.

The Cathedral is grateful to the Friends of Wells Cathedral for organising the event, and looks forward to hosting similar workshops in the future!

More information about the Grand Organ Appeal and how you can lend your support can be found at www.wellsgrandorganappeal.org.uk.

Image: Carolyn Craig, Assistant Director of Music, showcases the many features of the Cathedral’s grand organ.

Image: Jeremy Sampson leads a workshop around the ‘WOOFYT’ (behind)—the Wooden One-octave Organ For Young Technicians.

Image: The Cathedral’s Grand Organ viewed from the Quire.