In January 2019 we received an enquiry for a new instrument at Holy Trinity Church Rayleigh. The church committee were in the process of planning some major reordering of the building and part of the plan was to have a new instrument to replace the 2-manual pipe organ which struggled to fill the church and lead the congregation.
The organist had visited Canterbury Cathedral where we had installed a temporary three manual custom-built Regent Classic instrument. His experience of this instrument, and the positive experience by the parish’s musicians and the committee of other Viscount installations, ultimately led to the commissioning of a new custom-built 2-manual 35-stop instrument.
After a thorough design and approval process for the church’s refurbishment, delayed a little by Covid, the organ project was approved and now, three and a half years after the initial enquiry, the organ has been installed
The main organ has 8 speakers in the north-east chancel (where the pipe organ used to be), with another 4 speakers towards the west end of the church which helps to support congregational singing when the church is full.
A full blog on this installation will follow after final voicing and setup is completed, but this is the feedback from the Director of Music.
It’s been a pleasure working with the team to create our wonderful new Regent Classic organ. The result has been very well-received by all with console comfort, controls and aesthetics, and the sound all very impressive and well-designed for our historic building.
Special mention to the team for working to fit into the church’s complex refurbishment project and the particular design and installation implications that brought. The instrument has enhanced our music making already, with plenty of positive comments from the choir, congregation and our wider community in Rayleigh, and we are very much looking forward to a special recital to mark the arrival of the new organ later in the year…
Joseph Zammit, Director of Music, Holy Trinity Church Rayleigh
I have had a passion for church organs since the tender age of 12. I own and run Regent Classic Organs with a close attention to the detail that musicians appreciate; and a clear understanding of the benefits of digital technology and keeping to the traditional and emotional elements of organ playing.
