Some examples where Paul Isom has been involved as an advisor both at an independent and Diocesan level
A large number of churches and institutions often consider the options regarding existing instruments. The reality is that, most churches do not appreciate what they have already got. Taking sensible advice as to the future is often the best route to ensuring that the existing organ is treated well and any work done is by an accredited member of the Institute of British Organ Building. Many worthy (and often historic) organs have been written off by PCCs and other people without ever having done any proper research, or ever having taken proper advice. Committees are often scared by quotations/estimates, having not formulated proper briefs in the first place. If the organ is an important instrument, it is quite possible to get grants towards the restoration of such instruments. Those who have done their homework are often delighted with the results.
Some of the organs below have been a simple matter of relocation and liaison with individuals to ensure a smooth transition.
Combe Bank School - Sevenoaks
Combe Bank School organ is situated in the chapel of this distinguished private school. The chapel is used for school services and also regularly for weddings. It has only four speaking stops. It was built by Cedric Arnold, Williamson and Hyatt, and based on pipework by the Cambrdge organ builder, Bedwell. The organ had suffered over the years from being gently cooked in it's alcove, and a lack of structured maintenance, and as a result had become unreliable.
The organ received a sensitive restoration at the hands of Martin Cross and Rick Sheppard and is once again singing forth. It has a small stoplist, but the sound is unforced and the tone of each stop exquisite. An opportunity was also taken to restore the case of the organ which is also a visual enhancement to the decoration of Adam's wonderful designs.
Stoplist
St Peter & St Paul, Edenbridge
Installed by Percy Daniel of Clevedon (now no longer) this fine organ required a sympathetic organ builder to repair long standing faults which has disabled a portion of the organ.
Stoplist
Four Elms Church
This organ was built by Messrs Lewis & Willis. Rebuilt and electrified by a local organ builder. During a long period of investigation, estimates were obtained and many elaborate schemes were produced to turn this organ from a distinguished romantic organ into a fashionable eclectic instrument. However, none of the elaborate schemes happened and his organ was superceded by an electronic device. Mercifully the parish have retained the organ and the organ is currently being inspected to see what the possibilities are in terms of this organ's future.
St Margaret's Church, Collier Street
This church is in the Rochester Diocese and I was called in to inspect an electronic device loaned to the church with a view to the church purchasing it. It was clear from the outset that the present pipe organ was inadequate for the churches needs. It was built on a shoestring budget following the destruction of the previous instrument by a fire. The area around the organ was extremely damp and the organ was beset with damp related problems. While an electronic instrument may have been a quick fix, I was aware that there were many organs looking for homes from redundant churches. I suggested that the church do their homework (with my assistance) and consider all the options. A working party was formed and we quickly found a small organ, built orginially by William Sweetland of Bath for the Swedenborgian Church in Bath, and subsequently relocated to Shaftesbury Methodist Church, The organ had been moved to Peter Collins' factory where it had been in store. The church made the decision to purchase the organ and it was eventually installed in 2008. No tonal alternations have been made other than the completion of the Oboe to full compass and the provision of a Great Fifteenth 2' on a spare slide, each stop using pipework from organs of a similar vintage.
In Collier Street's case, they achieved the provision of a 'new' organ for their church, and all within a budget which would have purchased a pipless instrument. The finished instrument is simply magnificent and looks and sounds wonderful.
Specification
St Mary's Church, Horsmonden
Undated - Hill & Son
1860 - Gray & Davison
1886 - Forster & Andres
1960 - Gray & Davison
2009 - Martin Cross
This wonderful small organ has had a remarkable history, having passed through the hands of some of the most distinguished Victorian organ builders. It has survived in it's original state (presumed Hill) and has just been carefully restored at the hands of Martin Cross of Grays. At some stage the Great Gamba has replaced another stop (possibly upperwork or a Clarinet). This was an inferior stop of poor quality, and has been replaced by a Tierce. The non-original Octave and Suboctave couplers have now been removed as they added little to the ensemble, and made the organ more difficult to play. This is a real gem of an organ and the parish are to be congratulated at their commitment to the preservation of their musical heritage.
Dartford Baptist Church
Dartford Baptist Church had an indifferent pipe organ which had been rebuilt and electrified over the years. The voicing of much of the pipework had been compromised and the organ had reached the end of it's working life. The church membership made the decision to replace the organ, although with a severely restricted budget. At the same time Ringwood Methodist Church wished to find a new home for their Griffin & Stroud pipe organ as they wished to redevelop the santuary area. They generously offered the organ to Dartford for a modes charge. The organ was moved and installed in Dartford. Since it's installation there has been a small number of changes to enable the organ to better accompany the lusty singing.
Stoplist
St Nicholas Church, Meursault, France
My involvement here is only on the periphery, in that I have encouraged the parish to consider the value of their organ - and, as a result the Friends of St Nicholas Organ has recently been formed with a view to completely restoring this remarkable organ.
St Theresa's RC Church, Biggin Hill
Since St Theresa's RC Church, Biggin Hill was built, it has endured a series of pipeless instruments, each second-hand and lasting only a few years before complete breakdown. I discovered that Littleton Parish Church near Winchester were replacing their small pipe organ with a larger electronic instrument and wished to dispose of the organ. Littleton PCC generously gave the organ to St Theresa's church where it was installed by Peter Sanders and myself, although Peter did the lion's share of the work. To some this little organ is unfashionable - with electric action, and built on the extension principle. Nevertheless, the total cost of the organ, including installation was around £600! Since then the organ has been looked after by a professional organ builder and is serving the parish well. In fact the organ looks as if it was built for the church!
Stoplist
Sacred Heart RC Church, Tisbury
Radical redevelopment at St Nicholas Church, Rochester meant that the chapel area was going to be radically reduced and a new home needed to be found for the pipe organ. This organ is an exceptionally good example of an extension organ, built by J. W. Walker. As in many cases it proved difficult to give the organ away. Advertisements were placed and after a number of false starts, the organ was relocated by Peter Sanders to the Sacred Heart RC Church in Tisbury.
Stoplist
The console
