Organists' Association organ recital

Former Organists' Association President Alan Wilson with current President, Alyson Brailsford

The Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside Organists' Association held an organ recital at Rochdale Town Hall yesterday afternoon (Saturday 11 January).

Jeffrey Makinson, a sub organist from Manchester Cathedral, gave the recital and played a variety of pieces for those in attendance.

Alyson Brailsford, President of the Association said: “Each recital varies and will include a number of pieces from fun pieces to some serious pieces.”

Recitals usually attract between 80 and 100 people and each recital will involve different organists.

Held in The Great Hall at Rochdale Town Hall, the recital was played on the famous Binns Organ, which was installed in 1913.

Alyson said: “It is the gem of our town. A lot of people say the organ is the best in the north west and some go as far as saying it is the one of the best in country.”

The Organists' Association hold these recitals five times a year, usually in October, January, March, May and September but also hold a variety of events throughout the year.

“We hold our recitals in the town hall but we do different things including visiting different organs, organ crawls where people play different organs and we have been to places like Paris before,” said Alyson.

The Association currently has 65 members and welcomes new members.