Keep up to date
News, articles, interviews and events
Updates, News and Events
‘Meet and Play’ the Moot Hall Organ, Saturday 20 th September 12 noon to 3pm
As part of Colchester’s Heritage week there will be an opportunity
for anyone of any age to learn about the 123 year-old organ and
then
have a chance to play it too!
The relaunch of our Lunchtime Recitals! Tuesday 14 th October 1pm
As part of The relaunch of our Lunchtime Recitals! with Ashley Grote Master of Music at Norwich Cathedral
Tuesday 16th December 1pm Lunchtime Recital
An opportunity to meet our new City Organist William
Thursday 12 th February 2026 7.30pm Silent Film Event with Richard Hills
A welcome return visit -full details in due course
Update on Moot Hall roof/ceiling repairs
Progress update on ceiling repairs in the Moot Hall.
Update on Moot Hall roof/ceiling repairs
Progress update on ceiling repairs in the Moot Hall.
Organ Recital: Charles Francis, 11 April 2023, 1pm
Join us for our latest recital at 1pm on Tuesday 11th April with Charles Francis (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire)
Spring 2023: news from the Moot Hall Organ
News of recitals and events in Spring 2023 and further ahead
Organ Recital: James Davy, 14 March 2023, 1pm
Join us for our latest recital at 1pm on Tuesday 14th March with James Davy, Master of the Music, Chelmsford Cathedral
Update on 14 February 2023 organ recital
We are optimistic that the Recital on 14th February, which will be given by Colchester’s Civic Organist, Ian Ray, can go ahead. Temporary repairs to
Organ Recital: Ian Ray, 14 February 2023, 1pm
Join us for our latest recital at 1pm on Tuesday 14th March with Ian Ray, Honorary Borough Organist Ian Ray was appointed as Colchester’s Honorary
Organ Recital: Simon Hogan, 10 January 2023, 1pm
Unfortunately, due to unexpected structural damage in the Moot Hall the January Recital has been cancelled, we will provide up to date news regarding the
Organ Recital: Ian Ray, 13 December 2022,1pm
Join us for our latest recital at 1pm on Tuesday 13th December with Ian Ray, Honorary Borough Organist with Marenzio, a cappella quintet Ian
Organ Recital: Gillian Ward Russell, 8 November 2022, 1pm
Gillian Ward Russell returns to the Moot Hall Organ on 8 November
Organ Recital: Ashley Grote, 11 October 2022, 1pm
Join us for our latest recital at 1pm on Tuesday 11th October with Ashley Grote, Master of Music, Norwich Cathedral Ashley Grote has held the
Colchester Moot Hall Organ Specification
The organ was constructed in the Moot Hall in 1902 by the firm of Norman & Beard of Norwich. It is situated at one end
Organist interview: Ashley Grote
For the first in our series of interviews with organists who have played at the Moot Hall, we asked Ashley Grote about his musical connections
Organist Interview: Peter Crompton
We have interviewed Peter Crompton, Organist Emeritus of the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, about his recent experience of the Moot Hall Organ, and issues around organs in
Organist interview: Ian Ray
Hon Borough Organist Ian Ray shares his memories of the Moot Hall Organ, thoughts about the role of a Borough Organist, town hall repertoire and the
Organist interview: Gillian Ward Russell
We interviewed organist Gillian Ward Russell in advance of her Moot Hall recital in November 2016. When and where did you start playing the organ?
Composer interview: Alan Bullard
Distinguished Colchester-based composer Alan Bullard discusses composing for organ, and the role of the Moot Hall Organ in the musical life of Colchester. What was your first
Organist interview: Colin Nicholson
Colin Nicholson has been a leading figure in Colchester’s musical scene over several decades as an organist, conductor and composer. Starting off at Colchester’s Royal Grammar
PIPEWORKS: New Music for the Moot Hall Organ
The PIPEWORKS project was an opportunity for East Anglian composers to write new music for the restored instrument, with an added incentive of prize money
A Cover for the Souvenir Programme
When creating an artwork for this Moot Hall Organ project, the ideas that carried through from the exciting learning and participation sessions (which Duncan Chapman
Familiar and Strange: Organs and Oysters
SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THE ORGAN AND PARTICIPATION PROJECTS by Duncan Chapman Project Animateur For those of us who grew
Firstsite
by Judith Merritt Head of Learning Firstsite is a visual arts organisation based in Colchester, Essex. Our mission is to make contemporary art relevant to
What makes the Colchester Moot Hall organ special?
Robert Hope-Jones demonstrating his new electric-action pipe organ; he is playing outside the church, but all the pipes are sounding within the building by William McVicker Project consultant
The Restoration of the Organ in the Moot Hall, Colchester
Our Victorian forefathers were keen proponents of municipal pride, and what better form of display could there be than a Grand Town Hall endowed with
A Brief History of the Moot Hall Organ
The magnificent three-manual organ was built in 1902 at a cost of £1000 by Messrs. Norman & Beard, popularly regarded as the pre-eminent organ builders of the
Colchester’s New Town Hall
Colchester’s present town hall was a long time coming. In 1844 a less-than-prosperous Colchester (old market town, population 18,000, rateable value £45,000) decided to tear
The Art and Industry of Pipework
PIPEWORK: the perfect word to describe the reconstruction project of the grand organ. Colchester New Music became involved with The Moot Hall Organ Project in
History of the Moot Hall Organ
Colchester Town Hall is worthy to stand with the wealth of historic buildings which make up thetown’s unique heritage. The masterpiece of its architect, John
Ian Ray Borough Organist since 1988
Ian RayBorough Organist since 1988 Ian Ray was appointed as Colchester’s Borough Organist in 1988 and up until the organ’s demise in 2004 he presided
Leonard Simpson Borough Organist 1950–1988 Leonard Simpson Borough Organist 1950–1988
Leonard SimpsonBorough Organist 1950–1988 Leonard was born in Dulwich in 1909 and moved to Colchester six years later. He was educated at Hamilton Road Central
E H Turner Borough Organist 1940–1950
E H TurnerBorough Organist 1940–1950 Turner had passed his ARCO in July 1911 and is listed in the Royal College of Organists’ Calendar as
W Christian Everett ARCO ARCM
Sketching the history of the various musicians who have served as Borough Organist has proved remarkably difficult. Below I present the merest outline of the
Organ Recital: Ian Ray, 13 September 2022, 1pm
Colchester’s Hon. Borough Organist Ian Ray presents a recital of works by Percy Whitlock at 1pm on Tuesday 13 September 2022. Free entry, retiring collection.
Organ Recital: Weston Jennings, 9 August 2022, 1pm
Weston makes a keenly anticipated return to the Moot Hall, after a gap of several years, to give a recital at 1pm on Tuesday 9
Organ Recital: Stefan Donner, 12 July 2022, 1pm
Austrian organist Stefan Donner makes his debut at the Moot Hall with a recital of Beethoven, Schumann and Liszt. 1pm, Tuesday 12 July 2022; free
Organ Recital: William Saunders, 14 June 2022, 1pm
William Saunders returns to the Moot Hall to perform a programme including the Elgar Organ Sonata. Free entry, retiring collection. PROGRAMME Imperial March (arr. Hesford) – Edward
Organ Recital: David Poulter, 10 May 2022, 1pm
A recital by David Poulter, formerly Director of Music at the cathedrals of Coventry, Chester and Liverpool. Free entry, retiring collection. PROGRAMME Orb and Sceptre (Coronation
Organ Recital: Music for Holy Week, Ian Ray, 12 April 2022, 1pm
Colchester’s Hon Borough Organist Ian Ray presents a recital of music for Holy Week. Free entry, retiring collection. PROGRAMME Les Rameaux (No. 3 of Trois Poèmes
Piano Recital: Maria Kustas plays Beethoven and Brahms, 15 March 2022, 1pm
International prize-winning pianist Maria Kustas makes a welcome return to the Moot Hall to give a recital of Beethoven and Brahms in aid of the