This is an archive of news articles from August 2005. Current news articles can be found here and an archive index can be found here. Information in this archive may no longer be valid.

• New book: The Organists and Organs of Hereford Cathedral
  To coincide with the restoration of Hereford Cathedral's organ last year, Geraint Bowen has overseen publication of a much revised edition of Watkins Shaw's earlier book of the same title. As the name suggests, this is really two books in one, with a revised version of Shaw's detailed history and a new history of the organs by Roy Massey. The book has a large number of illustrations, including many not previously published. Copies can be purchased from the Cathedral shop or by post from Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust, 5 College Cloisters, Hereford HR1 2NG (01432 271990) priced at 5.95 plus 1.50 postage.
  
  
• Results from St Albans International Organ Festival
  The results are in from the 2005 festival: Gerben Mourik (the Netherlands) won the Improvisation competition, Andrew Dewar (UK) was placed first in the Interpretation competition with second place being awarded to Henry Fairs (UK). Andrew Dewar also won the Audience Prize, and the Douglas May Award was given to Simon Bell (UK). Andrew Dewar will now perform at a number of leading venues including St Bavo, Haarlem, Chartres Cathedral, St Paul's Cathedral, London, and York Minster - look out for his name in our concert diary next year. He will also make a recording for Priory Records in their Great European Organs series.
  
  
• Prague International Organ Festival
  Every Thursday at 7pm from August the 4th until September the 22nd, St James' Basilica, Prague will reverberate to the sounds of the tenth annual Prague International Organ Festival. Details of the programmes and performances can be found on the Festival website.
  
  
• RIP: Sir Edward Heath and Dr John Ogasapian
  Sir Edward Heath, the British Prime Minister chiefly remembered for taking the country into the European Union, died on July the 17th, 2005. While Heath will be remembered for his active participation as both a conductor and yachtsman, less known is that his study at Balliol College, Oxford was as an organ scholar, where he became president of the university Conservative association in 1937. He remained an honorary Fellow of the RCO, patron of the St Albans International Organ Festival and honorary Vice-President of the IAO until his death. Dr John Ogasapian, American author, scholar, educator and organist, died on July the 11th. Professor of Music History at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, Ogasapian was an honorary Member of the Organ Historical Society having previously received its Distinguished Service Award in 1994.
  
  
• Fourth International Organ Academy, Granada
  The Fourth International Organ Academy will be held at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de Nuestra Seora de las Angustias, Granada, from the 5th to 11th September 2005. Masterclasses will be given by Montserrat Torrent on Spanish repertoire and Georges Guillard on Bach and French composers. Featured organs are those of the Iglesia de San Jos de Calasanz and the Iglesia de El Salvador. Fluency in Spanish is probably necessary. For more information, contact: Real Academia de Bellas Artes by telephone from Monday to Friday, 10 am to 1 pm, on +34 958 228 015, or by fax on +34 958 215 775.
  
  
• 2008 and 20/08 in Liverpool
  To celebrate Liverpool's appointment as European Capital of Culture in 2008, a number of celebrations are going on across the city on 20/08 (20th August). The Liverpool Organists' Organisation is marking the occasion by offering introduction and beginners' pipe organ lessons, as well as an evening at Poulton Hall in Bebington explaining how pipe organs work with the chance to have a go at playing one. Places are limited for both opportunities so booking is essential on 0151 334 3000. For more information, call that number or see this website.