St James' Old Cathedral

Organ

 

The present organ was built in 1991 by Australian Pipe Organs, restoring and expanding the 1866 Fincham organ. 2 manuals, 18 speaking stops, 8 couplers, electro-pneumatic action.

Gt: 8.8.4.4.2.III. Sw: 8.8.8.4.2.III.8. Ped: 16.16.10-2/3.8.4. 

 

David Brown has served as the Old Cathedral's organist since 2010. David undertook studies as an organ scholar at the Universities of Cambridge and St Andrews and is currently also the College Organist for Scotch College. Each service concludes with an organ postlude.

 

The Old Cathedral Voices and Composer-in-Residence

 

Formed in March 2009 from some of Melbourne’s finest choral soloists, The Old Cathedral Voices specialise in one-voice-per-part performance of English Church music from the renaissance to the present day. The founding Director, Professor Jenny George, has served in this capacity for fifteen years. She is stepping back from April 7th, 2024, when Alex Ritter is taking on the role of Director.

 

St James' is committed to commissioning new music for the ensemble and to date over twenty pieces have been written for and premiered by the group. Our Composer-in-Residence is Andrew Anderson.

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In 2022 we launched a CD of Anderson's choral music, much of which was commissioned or premiered at St James' Old Cathedral. CDs can be purchased at the church and the music can be listened to on Spotify and YouTube.

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In July 2011 the Old Cathedral Voices released their debut CD, A Musical Devotion. In July 2013 they released their second CD, Tallis & Byrd, an exploration of music for lower voices (Alto, Tenor and Bass) by those composers. They can be purchased online at CD Baby.