West Mercia Friends of Organ (WMFO) can help churches in two ways:
Churches who have difficulty in finding organists, particularly for weddings and funerals
Even churches who have a regular organist might need someone to deputise or help out during the week. WMFO’s website contains a list of members who are willing to stand in, sometimes at short notice. The list with contact details is kept up to date, includes at least one ex-Cathedral Organist and several of the very best players in the area.
WMFO is happy to hear from any organist who would like to be added to the Deputies list – and generally from organ lovers and players.
WMFO can be contacted via its website at https://wmfo.org.uk/
Churches with pianists being asked to step into organist roles
WMFO can also provide information and support for pianists being asked to step into an organist role – either willingly or reluctantly.
Our Educational Bursary Fund can give modest financial assistance to pianists looking to develop their skills on the organ. Find details here
WMFO can also endeavour to find a ‘buddy’ from among their players to give an opportunity to shadow an experienced church organist during some services, as well as guidance on hymn and psalm accompaniment, ‘filling in’ if that is the tradition in your church, and on the choice of suitable pieces (and registration) before, during and after a service matched to a player’s ability. They hope that this might help reduce anxiety among some ‘reluctant’ organists and enable them to feel more confident in their organ role.
If you would like to explore this further, please contact Hon Secretary Ian Giddons.
