Adopt a pipe and support the future of organ playing

We are excited to announce the launch of Pipeline – a fundraising appeal to support a new generation of organists and ensure organ music continues to resound in churches, civic venues and concert halls around the UK.  

Adopt a pipe on Chetham’s new organ today and secure a bright future for organ playing at Chetham’s and beyond.

Amount to donate:
£

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A devastating loss

In 2021, our school organ was damaged beyond repair in a devastating fire in Chetham’s Whiteley Hall. Pipes melted, ash covered the manuals and the instrument was simply unsalvageable. Since then, Chetham’s has not had a full-scale pipe organ on site. 

This has not only resulted in disruption to our organ students, but it has also reduced already limited opportunities for talented young organists to access training and a high-quality instrument. We know that this is desperately needed.  

Why Organ Playing Needs Support

The UK organ campaign Pipe Up estimates that around nine organs per week are being scrapped or being allowed to fall silent due to the costs of maintenance and repair, an ageing organist workforce and few truly accessible training pathways for aspiring young organists. This puts at risk the UK’s extraordinary church music tradition, our organ heritage and prevents the next generation of organists from developing viable careers.  

A New Organ for Chetham’s

We are excited to announce that a replacement organ for Chetham’s is in the pipeline! Thanks to an extraordinarily generous lead donation, we are delighted to have been able to rescue and revitalise an unplayable 1970s Norman, Hill & Beard instrument from a church near Bath, which has been rebuilt, cleaned and modernised, and will be installed in Whiteley Hall over the coming months, serving as a centrepiece for performances and a ‘classroom’ for the next generation of organists. 

Creating Opportunities for the Next Generation

This is a landmark moment for Chetham’s, and one that gives us a unique opportunity to create lasting pathways into organ playing, both for Chet’s students and young musicians in our local communities.   

This is why we are launching Pipeline. We want this new organ for Chetham’s to kickstart new support for young players and aspiring professional organists. We want every young organist to be able to access the training they need to achieve their ambitions, and ensure live organ music continues to be heard in our communities. 

How Your Support Will Help

By contributing to this appeal, you are ensuring that the sound of this extraordinary instrument continues to resonate well into the future at Chetham’s and beyond.

Find out more about the different ways you can support.

Amount to donate:
£

Donate

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