Tag: organ recital

Benefit Organ Recital in Honour of Nancy Blaik MBE, Co-Founder of Children’s Hospices Across Scotland

Broughton St Mary’s Parish Church will host a special Organ Recital on Friday, 17 October 2025, at 7:00 pm, honouring the extraordinary life and legacy of Nancy Blaik, MBE, a pioneering charity volunteer and co-founder of Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). 

Nancy Blaik, MBE (1936–2025), was a tireless Edinburgh charity volunteer and founding force behind CHAS.Blind from childhood and inspired by the needs of her so Daniel, Nancy dedicated her life to creating Scotland’s first children’s hospice, Rachel House in Kinross, which opened in 1996.

Awarded the MBE in 1997, Nancy’s legacy is one of compassion, resilience, and determination—ensuring that no family in Scotland faces the death of their child alone. She died from pneumonia, after living her final years with the progressive neurodegenerative disorder, Lewy Body Dementia.

The recital will feature renowned organist Dr John Kitchen, MBE – Edinburgh City Organist, University of Edinburgh scholar, and internationally recognised performer and recording artist.

Dr Kitchen will present a programme of organ music celebrating the power of music to inspire and uplift, while raising vital support for CHAS and LifeCare – a local charity which provides vital support to people within the local  community. 

Rev. Laurene M. Lafontaine, Minister, Broughton St Mary’s Parish Church said: “It is a privilege for Broughton St Mary’s to host this special recital in honour of Nancy Blaik, whose life was a remarkable witness to courage, compassion, and service.

“This evening will be both a celebration of music and a reminder of the power of community to carry forward her legacy of care for children, families, and neighbours in need.”

Sarah Dannfald, Senior Community Fundraiser, CHAS: “We are so thrilled to have the support of Broughton St Marys Parish Church, while celebrating the remarkable lady that was one of our Founders.

“Nancy was and still is an inspiration to so many and it is wonderful to see her legacy continuing, helping CHAS flourish and support children and their families across Scotland, when they need it most.”

Sarah van Putten LifeCare CEO said “We are deeply grateful to be a beneficiary of this event alongside CHAS.

Nancy’s story embodies the very spirit of care and resilience that inspires our work with older people and families here in Edinburgh.

“This recital is not only a tribute to her, but also a vital source of support for those who rely on LifeCare’s services every day.”

Event Details

Benefit Organ Recital in Honour of Nancy Blaik, MBE
Date: Friday, 17 October 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Broughton St Mary’s Parish Church, 12 Bellevue Crescent, Edinburgh
Suggested donation: £10–15 (or more at your discretion) at the event or via the Broughton St. Mary’s Website
Beneficiaries: CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland) (Registered charity no SC019724) and LifeCare, Edinburgh (Registered charity no SC012641)

https://www.justgiving.com/page/laurene-lafontaine-1759497198423?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

TONIGHT: A Celebration of Music

Join our guest organist Oli Kelly and the church choir tonight Friday 19 May at 7pm for a charity recital and concert in aid of Drake Music Scotland.

The event is free but we would ask for donations to the work of Drake Music Scotland who provide music making opportunities for children and adults with disabilities and special needs.

The concert will last approximately 1 hour 20 mins and will be followed by refreshments. The concert will feature Oli Kelly on the organ and after a short interval Oli will conduct the church choir in a selection of pieces ranging from Palestrina to Howard Goodall.

You can learn more about the work of Drake Music Scotland at:

https://drakemusicscotland.org

The New Normal: Enjoy first organ concert of the year from home

Freemasons’ Hall has announced its first Organ Concert of 2021, which will take place on 30 March at 7pm.

The event, being held virtually, will showcase the magnificent Willis pipe Organ, which resides in the Grand Temple of Freemasons’ Hall in London, an art deco masterpiece completed in 1933.

The concert is to be given by Carl Jackson, MVO, director of music at the Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace.

He studied at the Royal Academy of Music and he has held organ scholarships at Downing College, Cambridge as well as his current base of Chapel Royal.

Before his current role at Hampton Court Palace, Mr Jackson taught at Goldsmiths’ College and he has held positions at Croydon Minster and St Peter’s, Eaton Square.

He has also appeared regularly on television with the Chapel Royal choir and features with them on CDs. He was appointed MVO in the 2012 New Year Honours list.

Dr David Staples, Chief Executive of the United Grand Lodge of England, commented: “It is an honour to welcome Carl Jackson to perform for our first Organ Concert of 2021.

“The various lockdowns the country has faced during the pandemic have left many people feeling isolated and lonely. The virtual concert will bring world-class music and joy into people’s homes whilst also giving the audience an opportunity to take in some of the stunning architecture of our headquarters here in London.”

The concert will be held at Freemasons’ Hall, which was designed as a pentagon to suit the irregular area in which it is located. Built in the central courtyard of the splendid art deco building, the Grand Temple is rich with multi-coloured details of blue, gold and white.

While enjoying the concert online, attendees will be able to experience the splendor of the Grand Temple, including the majestic 1.25-tonne organ with its ornate pipes as well as the stunning mosaics that surround the ceiling.

The original organ was installed in 1933 by Henry Willis, the third generation of an extended family line of organ builders. It originally had three manuals and 43 stops, giving a total complement of some 2,220 pipes, and was the last big organ built by the Willis firm.

After 80 years it was in need of a complete renovation, which was carried out in Durham by Harrison & Harrison in 2014 and included the cleaning, repairing and re-voicing the existing mechanisms, as well as mounting a new case of some 400 pipes on the east wall.

Free tickets are available to book via: 

https://event.bookitbee.com/32027/freemasons-hall-organ-concert-30th-march-2021-carl