News Feature: ‘The Man Behind the Organ’
Wells Cathedral’s Director of Music, Timothy Parsons, was recently interviewed on ITV News about the pressing need to raise £2million to fund a complete overhaul of the Cathedral’s organ. You can watch the complete feature below.
Introduction from our Royal Patron
The music in churches and cathedrals is synonymous with organs. It is their unique sound and volume, either on their own or as an accompaniment, which makes them such special musical instruments; so much so that it is impossible to imagine a church service without an organ. As with any musical instrument organs need to be looked after and cared for otherwise they simply start to sound a bit odd, and once every generation they tend to need a rather major overhaul.
After nearly fifty years the time has come to give the splendid organ in Wells Cathedral some major care and attention. This is no simple task given its size, location and complexity; especially if you consider that every one of its 5000 pipes needs to be removed, cleaned, tuned and replaced. You may think it sounds terrific now, but that’s only because you’ve got used to its idiosyncrasies; believe me, by the time the professionals have finished you will be amazed by the improvement in tone, range and volume.
The organ is only part of the tradition of music in Wells Cathedral, for we must not forget the boys, girls and adults of the Cathedral Choirs. Together, they are not just integral to the music-making, but also the very life of the Cathedral and its service to the community. Restoring our grand organ is vital if we are to secure and sustain all of our Cathedral’s superb music-making for future generations.
With this in mind, I sincerely hope that you will seriously consider supporting the Wells Cathedral Grand Organ Appeal. I am confident that, with your help and support, we will be able to fill this wonderful building once again with stunning and beautiful music to praise God and to lift our spirits for many more years to come.
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, KG GCVO
Patron
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A Message from the Dean
For over a thousand years, music has woven its melodies into the very soul of Wells Cathedral. It has been the pulse of our worship, the lifeblood of community gatherings, and the beating heart of grand civic services. Each year, the Cathedral resonates with concerts that celebrate this ancient tradition, and at its core stands our exceptional Cathedral Choir, whose voices have long defined our musical heritage. Yet, alongside them, another voice rises—a voice as vital as it is magnificent: the organ, an instrument that breathes life into every note of our worship.
This organ fills our sacred space with its resonant tones. But beneath its majestic sound lies a truth we can no longer ignore. Our organists, with their remarkable skill, have masked the decline of this grand instrument, concealing its flaws from our ears. Yet the time has come to face this reality—the organ needs care and restoration to continue its song for future generations.
We now stand at a crossroads, where the past and future of our music meet. The organ must be restored to its full glory, and we ask for your help in making this possible. Please, give as generously as you can, and join us in ensuring that the music of Wells Cathedral continues to inspire and uplift for centuries to come. Your support is the key to preserving this cherished legacy. Thank you.
The Very Rev’d Toby Wright
Dean of Wells
A Message from the Chairman of The Friends
The Friends of Wells Cathedral have a long and happy relationship with the magnificent Willis/Harrison organ, which sits so proudly at the centre of our church. During the last major renovation in the 1970s we made a significant contribution to renovation costs, paying for the exquisite gilded organ case which we all admire today. But whilst the exterior of the organ still looks magnificent, the hard-working instrument it houses is in a rapidly deteriorating state. So, fifty years on the organ needs our help once again.
We are excited to launch this appeal to raise the £2 million needed to restore and improve the organ. New ranges of pipes will be added and existing pipes will be given a new lease of life. The results will be the best organ our Cathedral as ever had – fit for the 21st Century – our Grand Organ. There will be concerts, celebrations, fundraisers and many different ways you can support the appeal. We thank you for any help you are able to give us.
Michael Hopkins
Chairman of The Friends of Wells Cathedral
