Organ Section
| Section Secretary: | Jonathan Price |
| Date: | Saturday, 10 March 2012 |
| Venue: | St Augustine's Chapel, St Monica Trust, Cote Lane, Westbury-on-Trym, BRISTOL, BS9 3UN |
Adjudicator For 2012
Tom Bell
A student of the legendary Kevin Bowyer in Manchester, and Jacques van Oortmerssen in Amsterdam, Tom Bell graduated with first class honours from the Royal Northern College of Music in 2006. His studies were supported by prestigious scholarships awarded by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, the Royal College of Organists, the Countess of Muster Musical Trust and the Michael James Music Trust.
Tom has broadcast and recorded as a soloist, and hopes to release up to three CDs in 2011-2012. In recent years he has performed widely in the UK, as well as visiting Scandinavia and Southern Europe. 2011 took him to the USA for the first time, including a concert at the National Cathedral in Washington DC. He aims to present varied programmes, and besides performing a wide array of established repertoire is also committed to commissioning new works.
As a freelance organ teacher, Tom teaches approximately thirty students of varying age and ability for the Royal College of Organists' St.Giles' Organ School, as well as regularly tutoring on residential courses for the RCO, Royal School of Church Music and Oundle for Organists. In 2011 he will also teach on the London Organ Improvisation Course for the first time. Tom sometimes gives lectures, talks and classes for other organisations, often exploding myths and exploring contemporary organ music, and writes occasionally too. He has yet to be asked to pen an article about steam locomotives – his other love – but lives in hope.
Tom is increasingly involved with education and outreach projects designed to educate both children and adults about the organ. He is organist to the exciting EtonOrganworks project at Eton College and also coordinates the Wimbledon Organ Project, based around the Heritage Lottery-funded restoration of the historic organ of Sacred Heart church in Wimbledon. He has also worked on HLF projects in Southall and the City of London. He is currently playing a leading role in developing a scheme in Newcastle, inspired by the remarkable organ of the City Hall and the possible installation of new instruments around the city centre. Other future projects will hopefully take him to Westminster, Manchester and Edinburgh.
Tom was Director of Music to the Parish of Esher from 2007-2011, and is now Organist and Choirmaster at St.Michael's Chester Square in London's vibrant West End. He would like to teach the local filmstars a thing or two about organ music, but doubts he will get the chance. Other interests include fell walking and real ale...