|
The Scottish Federation |
page content last updated 16th
May 2007 |
|
|
The Scottish
Federation of Organists |
|
;
HOME
;
THE SCOTTISH CHURCHES ORGANIST TRAINING SCHEME (SCOTS) ;
REVIEWS |
We are a federation of
Scottish societies of organists. Secretaries of the eight affiliated local
societies are given here. Presently (May 2007) we have around 700 members. While many of our members
are practising organists, we welcome as members all those who have an
interest in the organ and its music, and in church music. All local societies
are affiliated to the Incorporated Association of Organists and SFO office
bearers maintain cordial relationships with the IAO, the Royal School of
Church Music and the Royal College of Organists. Our purposes are both
social and professional. Local societies throughout Scotland organise regular
programmes of social events and we assist our members professionally through
the work of several groups and organisations. The principal bodies which give
support and advice are the Publications Committee, the Organ Advice
Committee, the Scottish Churches Organist Training Scheme (click here), the Salaries Committee, the Scotland’s
Churches Scheme Organ Playing Fund and The Alfred Hollins Memorial
Fund. Please scroll down this
page for more information on all these bodies. |
|
|
Publications Committee Presently the
Publications Committee has two main tasks. We publish the SFO News
three times a year and every member receives a copy. SFO News is also available online here. The idea
behind SFO News is to keep members informed of what is happening in other
parts of Scotland and to encourage local societies to communicate and
co-operate. It also keeps members
abreast with events in the other SFO central bodies. The Publications
Committee also keeps our website up-to-date and running smoothly. It includes, amongst much more, Daily News & Notices, updated virtually every day. |
|
|
The Organ Advice
Committee The Committee came into
existence some 25 years ago, partly from the knowledge that at that time
churches were employing, with no advice, the services of some rather dubious
organ builders when there were plenty of good builders available. Happily, there are still many organ
builders available who operate to the finest standards. Although the Committee
does meet as such, we are more a body of Advisers who will act for anybody
freely, apart from expenses. The
Committee has always recruited members who have sufficient technical
knowledge to advise about any sort of organ, pipe or digital, with
confidence, and we pride ourselves on very many success stories. We are grateful that we work with the
cooperation and encouragement of all good organ builders, particularly
members of the Institute of British Organ Building Members can be contacted
through this web page. Alternatively,
members of the Church of Scotland usually enquire via 121 George Street, who
will contact one of us. In the first
instance the C of S will pay the expenses.
Members of the Episcopal Church are asked to work through Robert
Lightband who will organise the nearest Adviser to pay a visit, and members
of the Roman Catholic Church will be asked to contact Dr Evelyn Stell who
will similarly act as coordinator.
Members of any other denomination or of a secular body are asked to
contact our Secretary, Stewart Alston.
All contact details can be found on this site by clicking here for the list of the Organ Advisers. If required, all our
Advisers can supply references. Basic Information is
available on our small leaflet which is available for download by clicking here.
In addition, the pamphlet produced by the Church of Scotland in 1998
entitled Church Organs: Care, Conservation, Repair, Replacement is available
for download by clicking here although please
be aware that this publication has not been revised since 2002. Certain information is therefore out of
date. A complete revision is planned
to take place shortly. |
|
|
Scottish Churches
Organist Training Scheme SCOTS was born in 1997
when discussions were held in Dunblane between the SFO and the Scottish
Churches. Looking to the model of organist training then operated by
the Royal School of Church Music, it was agreed that a scheme along similar
lines would be developed for Scotland. As the basis of such a scheme, the
SCOTS Syllabus has recently been revised and updated, is thoroughly
ecumenical in content, and is now a more comprehensive document, detailing
the various practical elements of the organists' craft. As organists
(we call them candidates) tackle more complex music, they work through the
three Stages as appropriate, receiving certificates on completion of each
Stage. A key component of SCOTS is a local expert organist appointed by the
SCOTS administrator to mentor the candidate. Not lessons as such, more a
helping hand. Knowledge of improvisation
is increasingly desirable as a skill. This is given appropriate
emphasis in the new Syllabus and at training days which are held in
various parts of the country. SCOTS training days are very popular and are
open to all organists. Those seeking more
information about SCOTS can find it at here and
contact may be made to the Membership Secretary: Miss Susan Wilson
Email: susanwilson@scotsorgan.org.uk
|
|
|
Salaries Committee The Salaries Committee
exists to produce and keep up to date guidelines on Organists’ Salary Scales,
Contracts of Employment for Organists, Organists’ Duties and advice on Income
Tax matters. These guidelines are available
to members in the publication “Quartet”, as updated from time to time, and
are also available here on the SFO Website by clicking here. The present scales will have effect until
January 2006 and it is encouraging that more churches continue to take
cognisance of the recommendations. Individual enquiries are
also taken and help and assistance given on scales, fees and contractual
matters. Dialogue is presently
taking place between the committee and 121 George Street regarding the
updating of the style contract. |
|
|
Scotland’s Churches
Scheme Organ Playing Fund The Inches Carr Trust
wishes to encourage the playing of organs and has provided capital funding to
assist churches in having their organs played more than at present. Churches should be members of Scotland’s
Churches Scheme and grants may be available up to a maximum of £350 to assist
with, for example, a guest organist’s travelling/accommodation costs, the
organist’s fee, exceptional heating/lighting/organ tuning costs,
advertising/printing costs. More information is available from The Director,
Scotland’s Churches Scheme, Duneden, Holehouse Road, Eaglesham, G76 0JF fax: 01355 303 181 Email: fraser@duneden67.freeserve.co.uk |
|
|
The Alfred Hollins
Memorial Fund The Alfred Hollins
Memorial Fund was established in 1943 to perpetuate the memory of Dr. Alfred
Hollins, the distinguished blind organist and composer who died in Edinburgh
on 17 May 1942. It was founded by
members drawn from the Edinburgh and Glasgow Societies of Organists together
with representatives from the Royal College of Organists and the Incorporated
Association of Organists. It is now administered by the Scottish Federation
of Organists but retains its own separate identity. The Fund exists for the
purpose of making awards as follows: a) to a blind student of the organ who intends to become
a professional musician b) a prize for the best
original organ composition by a blind student of the organ c) a grant towards the
cost of publication of music in Braille as issued by the Royal Institute for
the Blind d) a grant to a blind
organist to assist in the prosecution of his/her profession The value of the award is
determined by the resources of the Fund and may be varied from year to
year. Over the past 60 years the Fund
has helped several blind organists in the furtherance of their musical
careers. Applications are invited
in writing from individuals and from educational establishments on behalf of
any blind students who would be eligible under the conditions listed
above. They should be sent to the
Honorary Secretary: Mrs Bridget Black, 16 Elm Park, Inverness, IV2 4WN and
should include full details of the applicant’s musical ability and career
objectives. |
|
|