Harrison & Harrison Ltd

26/08/2025

15/08/2025

15/08/2025

Join us in Durham on Wednesday 3 September as we throw open the workshop doors as part of the Royal College of Organists' 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱. Drop in anytime between 10am and 4pm for a rare glimpse behind the scenes, guided tours and free roam of the workshop. All are welcome and no pre-booking is required.

Find out more about 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 here: https://www.rco.org.uk/play

02/08/2025

Jig of the week

25/07/2025

St John’s College, Cambridge

The team have just returned from their first fortnight of site installation. All of the frame is up and most of the heavy lifting is done. While a lot has happened in the first fortnight, there are still several weeks of installation to go.

Meanwhile in Durham, the console nears completion.

17/07/2025

Reading Town Hall’s Organ Heritage Open Day returns this year with an expanded programme to celebrate Play the Organ Year – and everyone is welcome to come and explore the magic of the mighty ‘Father’ Willis organ.

Running from 10:30am to 4:30pm on Saturday 13 September, this free event includes a fascinating morning introduction to the organ itself – how it was built, how it works, and how it’s used – led by organ curator William McVicker, Andrew Scott of Harrison & Harrison, and concert organist Tom Bell.

After lunch and time to browse displays and stalls, the afternoon continues with a recital by Tom Bell, a masterclass for young players, and a unique opportunity a rare chance for newcomers to play this remarkable instrument themselves.

Meanwhile, a parallel programme of afternoon talks in the Victoria Hall explores the legacy of the Willis organ-building dynasty, the culture of organs in nineteenth-century town halls, and the practicalities of organ restoration today.

Admission is free and no booking is required – you’re welcome to stay all day or drop in for just a session or two. Food and refreshments will be available at The Pantry café throughout.

This event is presented by Reading Town Hall in partnership with the Royal College of Organists, the Berkshire Organists' Association, the Incorporated Association of Organists, the British Institute of Organ Studies, and Harrison & Harrison Ltd.

Details at https://tinyurl.com/ReadingTownHall

28/05/2025

Click the link to BBC Sounds to hear a short news item about our work at Bristol Cathedral. The segment starts around 50 minutes in.

A proper Bristol breakfast, waking you up with a smile every morning.

17/05/2025

Earlier this week, and as we approach the end of voicing, Bristol Beacon hosted a private event for the donors to hear a sneak preview of the restored Britton Organ.

Duncan Mathews gave a history of the organ and described the approach to restoration, while Andrew Fiddes discussed the tonal attributes and demonstrated the panoramic layout. To close, Paul Walton demonstrated the organ in a short recital for the assembled audience.

The official reopening of the organ will be in early 2026.

https://bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/anna-lapwood-organ-recital/

09/05/2025

Restoration of the Willis organ at St Augustine’s, Kilburn is the cover feature of the current issue of Choir & Organ.

📢The summer issue of Choir & Organ is here! 📢

This issue puts the spotlight on renowned choral festivals, forgotten composers and restored instruments 🎶

⭐️ The cover story looks at the meticulous restoration of the 1871 ‘Father’ Willis organ at the ‘Cathedral of North London’, St Augustine’s, Kilburn and hears from Andrew Scott about the work by Harrison & Harrison.

🎼 We meet the composer Joanna Marsh ahead of two premieres, her striking triptych for St John’s, Cambridge and her new Psalm for Chichester, and why setting sacred text is never just about tradition.

✨ In her regular column, Leah Broad explores the lesser-known choral music of Ethel Smyth as the original manuscript of Smyth’s Mass is discovered in Liverpool.

🎵 Elsewhere, as the historic Three Choirs Festival, rooted in the English choral tradition, welcomes a new chapter under CEO David Francis, we look at the ambitious 2025 Festival and plans for the future, and explore the impact of the competitive choral hub – the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

06/05/2025

Gordon Stewart returns to St Michael and All Angels Church, Houghton-le-Spring on Monday 12 May to give another much-anticipated recital on the lovely three-manual 1932 Harrison & Harrison organ. Admission free and all are welcome.

24/04/2025

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the wonderful Thomas Trotter put the newly restored organ through its paces following its clean and overhaul by our team last year.

5 Days to Go! – Celebration Organ Gala Recital 🎶

The countdown is nearly over! Just 5 days to go until we celebrate the grand restoration of our historic organ with a spectacular gala recital! 🎉

Join us this Saturday, 26th April at 7:30 PM for an unforgettable performance by the world-renowned Thomas Trotter at St John’s Upper Norwood. Expect an evening of breathtaking music in a stunning setting!

📍 St John’s Upper Norwood, SE19 2RX
🎟 FREE tickets available now!
👉 stjohnsuppernorwood.churchsuite.com/events/suwlgksw

Don't miss this incredible celebration—see you there! ✨🎶

17/04/2025

We recently returned to Stockholm City Hall to install a set of shutters in the mouth of the Fernwerk tunnel to allow the Fernwerk (Echo) division to speak out with more immediacy and to be more usable with the rest of the organ.

While the Fernwerk (the largest of its type) has its own set of conventional shutters, it was designed to speak down a 43m tunnel and its sound come out through a hole in the ceiling on the opposite side of the blue hall.

The additional shutter at the mouth of the tunnel was planned as part of our work there in 2008, but was never installed. Organists can now play the Fernwerk as originally intended, or allow it speak with more immediacy by operating a switch at the console to open the new shutters in the wall in the mouth of the tunnel.