ORGAN, ORGANIST AND CHOIRS

The Cathedral Organ
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Organ Restoration
In 1909 the English firm of Norman and Beard installed a 4 manual instrument in St John's Cathedral - in 2006 both the building and organ are substantially larger, and the purpose of the on-going prorgamme of restoration is to honour the integrity of the original builders as well as ensure that the current liturgical and concert demands of the instruments can be met with distinction.

The Organ is currently used for many recordings and is the finest example of the rich and eclectic Edwardian Cathedral Organ in the Southern Hemisphere.

The marvellous acoustic of the Cathedral (which by the end of 2006 will be to Pearson's design) - due to the stone-vaulted roof, elegant proportions and the particular blend of stone and wood - means that the organ has to have a particular power and presence in reaching the corners of the building.

The original concept of wind-pressures and choruses that have been changed over the years need to be revisited to match the new size of the building. The few additions are being used adapted to their new surroundings.

In brief: the original wind-pressures are being respected as more consonant with the pipework's needs; where possible the original pipework is restored (eg. Great 4 and 2 - which makes a huge difference to the blend of the chorus work), and original ranks that have been swapped around are being re-housed in their original departments (eg. Stopped Diapason on the Great goes back to the Swell).

Very little new pipework is needed and we will be entrusting the faithful reproduction of period sounds (eg. Swell Contra Oboe, Great Claribel Flute) to Australia's most respected organ builder, WJ Simon Pierce Organbuilders. The 4 manual design is being tightened up,with the floating 'positive' division being reassigned where possible.

This programme will ensure not only that the organ has many years of life in it, but that it remains one of Australia's premier organs. The organ accommodates a vast variety of music, records well, accompanies magnificently, and in all is a superb instrument tonally.

Cathedral instruments, especially ones that get a lot of use, have a personality and there is no doubt as we move towards the centenary of the building's consecration that we can rejoice in a worthy organ up to the tasks of inspiring folk both locally and further afield.

Rupert Jeffcoat MA (Cantab) FRCO Dip Th, Director of Music, St John's Cathedral
W. J. Simon Pierce, Pipe Organ Builder, Brisbane, Australia. www.piercepipeorgans.com

Choristers' Scholarship Scheme 2010
Contact: The Director of Choral Music
Ph 07 3835 2231

The Cathedral Organist


The Rev'd Rupert Jeffcoat.
For personal profile Please click here

The Cathedral Choir
A choir of boys and lay clerks has been in existence for about one hundred and fifty years.

Cathedral Choir 2005

Chorus Angelorum
Chorus Angelorum (Choir of angels!) is part of the music ministry of St John’s Cathedral. It is a flexible vocal ensemble providing quality music for various Cathedral services, particularly on important saints’ days.

The range of music is matched to specific occasions and includes chant, polyphony, contemporary music and music more suited to congregational participation.

A particular emphasis is placed on authentic performance practice so that music of different periods speaks on its own terms.    

The Chamber Choir
The Brisbane Cathedral Chamber Choir was formed several years ago to complement the Cathedral Choir's annual schedule. It sings about six times each year in the cathedral.

The Choir, drawing on Brisbane's most distinguished singers, sings regular services and concerts in the Cathedral and further afield. Well-known for their refined sound and enterprising program, the Choir has a particular place in Brisbane musical life.

The Director of the Choir is Graeme Morton, the internationally respected choral conductor. Graeme has worked with some of Australia's leading musicians, founding The Australian Voices in 1993 with composer Stephen Leek.

The latest disc In Memoriam ($25 in The Cathedral Shop ) demonstrates the range of music the choir delivers with works by Widor, Franck, Guerrero, Carter, Whitlock, Guest, de Kerle, Rheinberger and the contemporary Australian Joseph Twist.

Other Choirs
Occasionally, other choirs from church schools and parishes lead the worship.