Recently, a message appeared on the St. Michael’s Church Facebook page. It read as follows, ‘I’m Paul, and I am the organist at All Saints’ Church, Hurworth. I have a great interest in church organs and would like to visit Heighington, St. Michael’s’.
If you have been paying attention, you will know that at St. Michael’s we have recently acquired the services of Daniel Coates, organist extraordinaire, and we know how lucky we are to have found him. Last week Daniel and Paul got together to share their passion for church organs. Paul told us that he is visiting as many churches as possible in the local area to look at the history of organs, with a particular interest in the sound, also who built them and when. Is there a common theme to any of them? He hopes to encourage more people to take up learning the instrument and eventually play in our churches. (Photo shows Paul on left and Daniel).
Paul has set up a YouTube channel entitled ‘Organic Visitations’ with the idea of recording his journey as he travels around the district. View his visit to St. Michael’s, and his visits to other churches and organs, using the link below. Please subscribe, like and share too. The treat is listening to Daniel playing this amazing instrument, talking us through its inner workings and the wonderful video that Paul has filmed showing the organ and our beautiful church at its best.
For anyone interested in further information, Paul runs a choir at All Saints, Hurworth, 6.30pm Fridays and Daniel at St. Michael’s, Heighington, 7.15pm Tuesdays. Daniel also plays the organ 5pm Tuesdays and Saturday afternoons at St. Michael’s. Why not go along to listen or join in with one of the choirs at Hurworth or Heighington. Maybe even learn to play the organ.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OrganicVisitations/videos
Also find the video on St. Michael’s Church Facebook page.