ALTON ORGAN SOCIETY (Founded 1967) ♬♪𝄞 Updated Wednesday 7 October 2026
Alton Organ Society's 2026/2027 Season of Organ Concerts
Organ Recitals Nationwide
What a way to start the 2026/2027 Season of Organ Concerts when David Hill wowed us all on Tuesday 6 October 2026 with his magnificent programme of music. The 60+ audience witnessed organ playing of extraordinary technical prowess, musicality and a carefully chosen programme of music to suit all. An additional celebratory event took place beforehand with drinks and nibbles to herald the Society's 60th year. David's programme can be viewed here.
David opened his programme with Bach's Fantasia "Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott" which set the scene for what was to follow. Energetic, technically brilliant, David revealed Bach's composing genius and reminded us that Bach walked 100s of miles to hear Dieterich Buxtehude's compositions which had a lasting influence Bach's future career. We then moved to the 19 century to hear - probably for the first time - Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's delightful "Three Impromptus". David dedicated his next piece - "Cantabile" from Louis Vierne's 2nd Symphony - to the memory of the late Harrison Cole who was sub organist at King College Cambridge while David was standing in as Dir of Music. It was an intensely moving composition which captured the sad mood of this gifted 25 year old organist who, not long before his death, played David's next organ piece. Vierne's "Toccata in B flat" is not for the faint hearted organist as it is a demanding and rapid work of art. As a complete contrast David then played a gorgeous piece by the American organist/composer Florence Price, namely, "In quiet Mood". David ended his concert with a mega composition full of speed, dexterity, contrasts, astonishing pedal work; Franz Liszt's "Fantasy & Fugue" on the chorale "Ad nos, ad salutarem undam" This 25 minute work was delivered with such professionalism, pace and passion, it most certainly captured the audience's attention judging by their remarks as they left the church. The fugue is notoriously difficult but that did not seem to bother David. As the "Hon" page turner, I was mesmerised, close up, at the technique applied to the mass of notes, the accuracy and the speed of the delivery. Members of the audience could see on the split screen how busy the hands and feet were performing such a tour de force. David also captured the audience's attention with his oral programme notes on his programme. I believe members of the audience were stunned, speechless at the quality of David's programme and his magnificent delivery. They unanimously agreed, it was a gold plated welcome to the start of the Society's 60th year of eight organ concerts.
We look forward to the return visit of David Halls (Salisbury Cathedral) on Tuesday 3 November 2026. His programme can be viewed here.
Click here to view the Season's line up of organists and/or download a copy of the flyer here. If you wish to renew or take out Season Membership (£84 for all eight organ concerts between October and May 2027 - equivalent to £10.50 per concert) click here to download an application form. Admission - including programme - to each concert is £14.00.
Alton Organ Society Committee - New Members Welcome
The organ society committee is keen to attract new members to maintain the future success of Alton Organ Society as it approaches its 60th year. There are tasks that do not require organ playing skills but the ability to administer the running of the society. For instance, if you are interested and able to be a graphic designer - creating posters, designing programme formats etc - and, maybe good at running a website including updating on a regular basis to keep it fresh and interesting, we would like to hear from you. If you plan to attend any of the future organ concerts and would like to discuss these roles with committee members, please do approach one of us or contact us by email - click here.
David Hill MBE organist and International Choral Director, Patron of the Alton Organ Society and past President of the Royal College of Organists very kindly recorded a CD on the St Lawrence Church, Alton, organ to celebrate 55 years of the Organ Society existence and to raise funds for the restoration of the Speechly organ. The music was recorded by Herald AV Publications, a specialist recording company, in October 2022. The CD was launched at St Lawrence Church, Alton on Tuesday 4 October 2022. The CD costs £15 of which £3.00 of the purchase price will go towards the organ restoration fund. David's CD was reviewed by Choir & Organ Magazine and copies of that review and Graeme Kay's article on the Society can be seen here. The CD can be purchased from members of the Society Committee, from Resurrection Furniture in Alton and at the Society's Organ Concerts. For further details and purchase of a CD do use the contact page here.
There is an excellent website that lists national organ concerts (including those held in Alton) and can be viewed here. Please list altonorgansociety.co.uk & Organ Recitals Nationwide among your favourites.