THE ORGAN
Why do we need a new chancel organ?
The existing chancel organ was installed in 1993. Although a fine instrument when installed, it fails to provide the range of tone and timbre required for the English and French choral music which forms a significant part of the repertoire for all cathedral choirs. Therefore, the music program is struggling to develop sufficiently, being held back by the lack of an effective instrument to accompany the choir.
30 years on from installation, the electric circuitry on both organs and the mobile console is failing and costly bespoke circuitry needs replacing. The mobile console itself, which is perilously close to failing at any moment, will no longer be needed and will be removed. The new chancel organ will be able to accompany the congregation with hymns and this will stop the visible rushing between organ consoles which is the current regrettable practice for our organists.
After much prayerful consideration, and after 30 years of excellent service, and responding to a significant financial donation being offered, we believe the existing chancel organ has come towards the end of its usefulness here. As a major patron of the arts in Western Australia, with a reputation for fine music-making, we firmly believe that the replacement of the organ is a superb opportunity for our Cathedral, our Diocese, and our City.
Why can’t the existing chancel organ be repaired?
There are maintenance challenges with the existing chancel organ and the mobile console and some aspects of the instrument are beginning to fail. Indeed, the mobile console itself can no longer be reliably used. There are regular wheezes and cyphers which are becoming more noticeable to the congregation. The advice we have received is that replacement with an instrument of high tonal quality appropriate to our repertoire is the right way forward.
Who has made the decision to proceed with the project?
The project has been wholly endorsed and approved by the Dean & Chapter of St George’s Cathedral. In addition, Perth Diocesan Trustees has given advice and provided the necessary contractual guarantees in order to move towards a Purchase Agreement.
What’s wrong with the old chancel organ?
It is a fine instrument but with its limited tone and timbre, together with an incomplete range of stops, it is no longer suited to our repertoire. These musical reasons combined with the failing electric circuitry and some unreliable mechanics means the time is right to replace our chancel organ.
Which company is manufacturing the new chancel organ?
And why them?
It has taken over five years of research to determine that Canadian organ builders, Orgues Létourneau, is the best fit for us combining the required quality and affordability. Létourneau’s design will emulate organs built in the English tradition while providing some French stops added for French repertoire.
Orgues Létourneau has crafted over 140 pipe organs for clients around the world. This includes St Andrew’s, Subiaco; St Andrew’s Cathedral & St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney; and The Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland, CA, St Andrew’s Cathedral, Grand Rapids, CA and the Cathedral of the Assumption, Trois-Rivières, Quebec.
We have felt that Létourneau has really listened to our specific requirements and responded with a thrilling design concept that they are already making a musical reality.
When does the project begin?
The project is underway – the contract has been signed. We have negotiated a place in the production schedule in Létourneau’s workshop for 2024.
When will it be installed?
We anticipate installation to begin soon after Easter 2026.
When will it be ready to play?
While the organ may appear to be nearing completion quite early on, there is still a long way to go. Once assembly is complete, ‘voicing’ begins. This is a highly specialised art form whereby each and every pipe must be individually checked and adapted so that the pipes together achieve the best possible tonal quality (or sound). This painstaking and time-consuming task is reserved for the highest-ranking artisan in the Létourneau workshop. It requires years of training, specific tools, and knowledge passed from one generation of organ builders to the next. ‘Voicing’ gives each pipe its appropriate sound and the masters of ‘voicing’ exercise remarkable skill. After the ‘voicing,’ we will need members of the congregation to attend a hymn-a-thon as we sing hymns together helping the artisans to shape the sound for generations to come with a Cathedral full of people.
We anticipate the new chancel organ will be blessed and commissioned for use in worship and for concerts by August 2026.
Will there be much disturbance?
Inevitably with major projects, there will be some disturbance. Scaffolding will be needed as we remove the old chancel organ and install the new Létourneau organ. We will strive to keep disturbance to a minimum, ensuring we communicate what disruption we can expect and when.
How long will the new chancel organ last?
The new chancel organ will provide delight for generations to come and is a significant investment in the future of young organists in Western Australia and further a field. It will be used well into the next century.
What happens to the old chancel organ?
We have begun the process of seeking a buyer for the old chancel organ. It could even be donated to a school or church as long as removal costs were covered – around $50,000.
Who benefits from a new chancel organ?
Our Cathedral music program already attracts many people to worship at St George’s Cathedral. Our choral standard is unique in Australia and our new chancel organ will allow the music program to develop further, attracting even more young talent as their lives are enriched by our liturgical music repertoire and heritage. We benefit from world-class music helping us to lift our voices and hearts to the heavens. Our young musicians benefit from high-quality opportunities to perform regularly and learn from world-class leaders in their field.
The new chancel organ will attract visiting organists from around the world as well as develop new organists locally, giving them a superb training instrument to hone their skills right on their doorstep. This is truly an organ made for the City and Diocese of Perth: available to the community and for our own concerts and events.
Will the West End organ be played less?
The new chancel organ will certainly be large enough to accompany congregational hymns as well as the choir. Once the electric circuitry is upgraded on the West End organ, it will remain a fine solo instrument and will be used for many years to come.
Don’t we have enough organs already?
Cathedrals tend to have two usable organs, often a large and smaller instrument (like our current organs at the West End and in the Chancel). This project will ensure we continue to have two usable organs which will be world-class.
MUSIC
How does the new chancel organ fit with our music program?
The new chancel organ is a critical part of our music program. Music transforms how we can all worship God and it transforms the lives of young musicians who learn about God within the Anglican Choral tradition. The new chancel organ will allow the program to develop further as we provide an instrument to match the quality of our choral singers and organists. It will become a training instrument unmatched in Perth as we continue to attract young musicians who will experience being prepared to sing and play at the highest level both in worship and in concert.
Will I notice the difference?
The new chancel organ will be an instrument of substantial quality offering the range of tone and timbre required for our specific requirements in the English and French choral music traditions. It is expected that we will all notice that improvement in quality and experience.
Remarkably, currently we do not have an organ which matches the quality of our musicians, both singers and organists. The new chancel organ gives them a chance to shine as servants of the liturgy.
Will it expand the choral repertoire?
Yes. With a new chancel organ that provides the tonal quality specific to the Cathedral repertoire, we can expect a wider range of settings and repertoire.
The music is so good already. Can it really be improved upon?
Yes. There is much untapped potential both within our Cathedral and wider community. By improving access to a high-quality training instrument we will also ensure a pipeline of future talent.
COMMUNITY
Will the new chancel organ be available for wider community use?
Yes. It will be available for recitals, concerts, and other performances.
Could trainee organists use it for practice?
Yes, it will be available as a training instrument and to attract future talent as well as international and interstate visiting organists. The new chancel organ will be available for community use subject to the Cathedral’s own requirements.
Will it help to develop singers for the future of the Anglican choral tradition?
Yes. We believe the new chancel organ will allow the music program to develop yet further and that new young singers will be trained for our great choral heritage.
FINANCE
Can we afford a new chancel organ?
We have already gratefully received $2m in funding towards the new chancel organ. Through our fundraising campaign, we believe it will be possible to raise a further $1.2m.
What is the total project cost?
The total project cost is in the region of $3.2m.
How much money do we need to raise? And by when?
We will need to secure a further $1.2m by around August 2026.
How much money has already been raised?
We have already secured $2m towards the new chancel organ.
Why spend so much money on a new chancel organ when we have other priorities?
Within our Cathedral’s mission, there are always competing demands on our limited resources. The Dean & Chapter believe that given $2m has already been secured, this is a major opportunity to which we must respond with confidence and hope. Different sources of funding are available for our different priorities. Our bold commitment to a new chancel organ does not make us any less committed to our other agreed missional priorities.
Would the large donation be available for other purposes if it wasn’t spent on a new chancel organ?
No. Like all foundations, the Wright-Burt Foundation and the Cathedral Square Foundation, are restricted on how their resources can be used. The $2m would not be available for other funding priorities were it not used for a new chancel organ.
Who will raise the money?
Everyone is invited to play their part in helping to raise funds towards the new chancel organ. Every dollar will count and there will be a range of activities to which individuals and organisations can contribute.
Chancel Organ Appeal 