St Mary’s digital upgrade

Organist Kevin Cameron, with Father David Connor prepares for the concert to celebrate the installation of new organ. Photograph: Iain

Ferguson, alba.photos

DIGITAL UPGRADE OF ST MARY’S ORGAN

Iain Ferguson Members of the St Mary’s RC Church congregation and guests celebrated the installation of a new digital organ at a special recital recently when organist Kevin Cameron played a selection of religious, classical and traditional music.

The new organ was bought after a number of years’ fundraising, the kind legacy of Maria and Alister MacLeod, Father Tom Wynne and donations from parishioners.

For the technically-minded, the new Wyvern Digital Organ has 26 speaking stops and six 180w speakers which have been located in the old organ loft above the sanctuary. Thanks to the great acoustics of the building, the installer/ voicer from Wyvern Organs had to zero the reverb on the organ.

The age of the old pipe organ in the adjoining Lady Chapel, a relatively small instrument, had become inadequate to support the singing and maintenance was becoming costly. It is hoped its modern replacement will serve St Mary’s for many years to come.

At a Sunday Mass in the morning, the new organ was blessed and dedicated by Father David Connor who also gave a homily about the importance of organ and liturgical music throughout the church’s history. That evening, Kevin gave a recital of organ music including pieces by Bach, Handel and Boellman and arrangements of Scottish and Gaelic airs. The congregation raised the roof in the singing of Praise my Soul the King of Heaven, Alleluia, Sing to Jesus, Holy God we Praise thy Name and Immaculate Mary. The recital concluded with Kevin’s arrangement of Highland Cathedral.

After the recital everyone was invited into the grounds of the Chapel House for light refreshments. It was a wonderful evening - one which will be remembered for years to come.