Today’s opportunity

In 2014 the Cathedral embarked on a discovery phase of the needs of the Hobday organ, and in that year the first part of work on the Hobday Organ (a new blower unit) was installed. Significant  problems are starting to appear, especially in the electrical systems which have caused small fires. The leatherwork of the internal action, much of which is perished is also causing notes to sound or not sound at all. In recent years, tuners have patched motors as necessary, and fixed isolated electrical issues, but now a full overhaul of the organ must take place to ensure its continued operation.

The console dating from 1991 will be rebuilt with new keyboards, draw stops and associated electrical systems. All the work will be installed to British organ standards allowing a reliable and ergonomic workstation for the organist. The console will also accommodate new playing aids such as pedal divide and sostenuto.

This is the first opportunity in nearly 50 years to improve the organ’s mechanism and layout too. The provision of new under-action and electrical switching system will result in quieter mechanical operation overall, together with a better layout for the pipes improving the speech and projection in to the building.

Adding pipework to the Pedal Chorus into the main case will improve balance and synchronisation with the rest of the organ. The work will provide clear musical benefits and a better experience for the player, without in any way altering the organ’s overall character, which will be carefully preserved.

There are also important practical advantages. Simplification of the technical side of the instrument, together with the new underactions and improved layout, will undoubtedly lead to greater long-term reliability. A further advantage will be ease of access both for tuning and maintenance; currently, some parts of the organ are almost impossible to reach. The reconfiguration of the instrument will also allow a far safer working environment to be created.

With your help we can ensure one of Wellington’s greatest musical instruments speaks for generations yet to come click here to donate.