An Introduction

Welcome to the College Chapel.

This magnificent building is the home to many memories for Old Denstonians and current students alike.

With its almost cathedral proportions, it is large enough to host many events throughout each term, including whole school assemblies, concerts, and the regular programme of Chapel Services.

In this special year one of the projects which the College is supporting is the restoration of the chapel organ.

Since the foundation of Denstone College there has always been an instrument in the chapel. At first a traditional pipe organ; but, almost thirty years ago when this did not meet the needs of the expanding college community, the decision was made to purchase a very fine second-hand digital classical organ which had become available.

This organ has done sterling service from the millennium onwards accompanying the college choirs, as a teaching instrument for the next generation of organists, and leading the school's massed singing in "Congo" and weekly chapel services.

In the last two years, however, a series of electronic components in the organ has progressively begun to fail and the now obsolete digital hardware cannot be replaced. Its first generation electronic systems, having lasted over 40 years, are, regrettably, simply beyond repair. The organ has fallen silent, unable to be used.

After a series of competitive quotations the College has now selected a leading company which specialises in refurbishing digital instruments with reliable up-to-date electronics. The intention is to keep the fine oak console and specification of the original digital organ but to completely renew the internal electrical workings and external speakers.

The organ you hear in the Chapel at the present time is a temporary replacement supplied by the company which is currently undertaking the restoration process at their headquarters' workshops; it gives some idea of the beautiful and glorious sound which will eventually grace this majestic building.

Please read on to find out how you can help to maintain the fine tradition of music in the Chapel.

We wholeheartedly support this campaign to restore the chapel organ and provide Denstone College with an instrument which will enrich so many aspects of the College's cultural and community life.

We have a proud musical history here. Let us equip present and future Denstonians with a superb chapel organ which will uplift listeners with great music, inspire those learning the instrument and be a source of life-long memories of the school.

Geoffrey Walker, Organist & Patron of Denstone College, with staff organist colleagues Mr Nic Horan, Mr Sam Ryde, and Mr Luke Wynell-Mayow, Director of Music.