2020 Willis Pipe Organ Festival
Musical Director: Jonathan Kingston
The 2020 festival will take place from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 OCTOBER 2020 (this is a month later than usual).
There will be a preview for the Festival in September as part of the national Heritage Open Days weekends when we'll hold as Hands on the Willis pipe organ morning on Saturday 12 September, which will be repeated during the festival.
Save the dates now and join us this year!
We have 3 free daytime events and one evening concert (silent movies with organ):
Saturday 24 October:
Saturday Night at the Movies
Back by popular demand: Silent Movies with live organ accompaniment - Movies to be confirmed.
7:30 pm-9:30 pm
Before the movies, Donald plays a selection of lighter organ music and gives a personal introduction to the films.
Don't miss family fun at the Silent Movies with Odeon Leicester Square Organist Donald MacKenzie providing a live soundtrack on the Willis organ. Popcorn, wine and ice cream will be on sale.
Tickets £10 (accompanied children under 18 free).
Friday 23 October:
Friday Festival Season Opening Organ Duets lunchtime Concert
Free Friday lunchtime concert with Jonathan Kingston and Hilary Davan Wetton.
12:30 pm-1:15 pm Organ Duets - four hands!
Jonathan and Hilary showcase a range of organ duets with four hands and four feet at the console.
We launch the organ festival in fine style with a free lunchtime Organ Duets concert with Jonathan Kingston and Hilary Davan Wetton at the Willis organ console.
This is a free concert with refreshments available, or you can bring your own sandwiches to eat while you listen. A relaxed and fun concert for everyone to enjoy. Groups from local schools are most welcome to attend. Donations to the Organ Maintenance Fund welcomed
Hands on the Willis!
Saturday 24 October:
Hands on our Willis! and Willis Pipe Organ Exhibition
Your chance to try playing a wonderfully restored Victorian pipe organ.
A free exhibition about the Willis Organ.
10:00am-1:00pm
This session provides you with a golden opportunity to play (with help) those wow chords on the pipe organ. The organ console is in the gallery which is reached by stairs, so this event is unfortunately not accessible for wheelchair users. There is also an exhibition about the Willis organ telling the story of music at SMSG in the past, present and future. Bring your piano music to try on the organ and enjoy cakes and light lunch. Donations to the Organ Maintenance Fund welcomed.
Jonathan Kingston at the Willis console
Sunday 25 Octrober:
Autumn Concert and Happy Birthday to the band
3:00 pm-4:30pm
Jonathan Kingston plays the Willis Pipe Organ with all the performers in our Autumn Concert.
We conclude the festival on Sunday afternoon with our annual Autumn Concert. Come help us celebrate 20 years since the first time St Mary & St Giles Church band played in the annual Autumn Concert. This year the Autumn Concert is part of the Pipe Organ Festival as the organ will be played by Jonathan Kingston with the band, the Parish Singers, SMSG Church handbell ringers and children's choir from St Mary & St Giles Junior School.
Donations to the Organ Maintenance Fund welcomed.
You can read about our previous pipe organ festivals (2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015).
For Organ concerts see also Organrecitals.com
