Music

THE CHOIR
The English Church Choir, with children providing the top (treble / soprano) line, is a tradition which dates back many centuries. The Cathedrals, Colleges and Parish Church Choirs of our country have produced some of the greatest composers and musicians in the world. This tradition continues at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Tadworth, and greatly enhances the quality of our worship.
The Choir is never "full". We are always pleased to hear of people interested in joining. There is a particular need for sopranos at present, so please considerer if you might be able to serve in this way. It can be hard work, but its very rewarding, and we are friendly bunch. The only requirements are keeness and the ability to sing reasonably well in tune. It is not required to be a good sight reader.
The choir sings for the Sunday Eucharist and meets at 9:40 am for a brief warm up choir practice. The service usually ends at about 11:15 am. We also sing at some evening services and other occassions throught the church year. Junior Choristers receive "pocket money" for their attendance and all choir members receive a small fee for weddings.
THE JUNIOR CHOIR
As well as enjoying a good training in singing and general musicianship, the Junior Choristers gain a great deal of pleasure from being in a fine choir. The Junior Choir rehearses from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm on Fridays and we are always pleased to hear of children who are interested in joining the Junior Choir. To find out more please contact the Robert Stewart: Director of Music: Robert Stewart 42 Lakehurst Road EPSOM , KT19 0EQ 0208 224 3419 rob.stew@ntlworld.com

THE ORGAN
The organ was originally built by Abbot and Smith of Leeds around the end of the 19th century, and was installed in the church second-hand during 1912 and fitted with hand blowing. A major overhaul and installation of electric blowing is documented by J. W. Walker in 1937, with a cleaning in 1954. A further cleaning and tonal improvements by J.W.Walker was carried out in 1967. This involved a new Swell 2ft Fifteenth replacing a tenor C 8ft Voix Celeste of limited usefulness.

In the late 1970's, the organ suffered badly from sticking sliders and unreliable action, becoming unusable in certain weather conditions (cold and dry). After Diocesan advice and various quotes, Peter Wells Ltd. Organ Builders were awarded the contract. This was carried out in 1981 and comprised a major re-build with a new detached draw stop console with adjustable thumb and toe pistons, some new pipe-work and tonal improvements. Mixtures were added on both Swell and Great, new base pipes were added to the Swell Oboe and made available on the Swell at 16ft and on the Pedal Organ at both 16ft and 4ft pitch, and a most useful new tapered spotted metal Swell 4’ Gemshorn was added. The open Great Wald Flute was stoppered and revoiced as a Gedeckt 8ft and the Swell Trumpet was revoiced.

The organ was vastly improved by this work both mechanically and tonally. However, by the early 1990’s the old problems with sticking stop sliders had reappeared, and problems with an inadequate and unsteady wind supply were apparent, together with other more minor problems. After rejecting an ill advised attempt to replace with an electronic organ, F.H. Browne & Sons were commissioned to carry out work in the Autumn of 1994. This included a new more powerful blower, a new Great Flute 4ft stop, new plastic sliders with new electric stop action, a new electric wind chest for the Gt. Open Diapason pipes, revoicing of the Gt Mixture and improved access to the organ.

The problems with sticking sliders seem to have been remedied and the organ has proved reliable in use.
Five new Swell combination toe pistons were added in 2004 to the console which, and these have proved a useful registration aid.

We are fortunate in having this fine pipe organ as part of our musical heritage at the Good Shepherd, and with the necessary care and commitment to maintain its good condition, we can look forward to many more years of good service.

Specification:
Great Organ (58)
Mixture
Fifteenth 2
Principal 4
Flute 4
Open Diapason 8
Dulciana 8
Gedeckt 8
Lieblich Bourdon 16

Pedal Organ (30)
Schalmei 4
Octave Flute 4
Flute 8
Oboe 16
Lieblich Bourdon 16
Sub Bass 16

Swell Organ (58)
Mixture
Fifteenth 2
Oboe 8
Contra Oboe 16
Trumpet 8
Gemshorn 4
Rohr Flute 8
Viole de Gamba 8
Open Diapason

Swell to Great Swell Octave
Swell to Pedal Swell Sub Octave
Great to Pedal Swell Unison Off
Gt. & Pd. pistons coupled
Swell Tremulant

5 adjustable Gt. & Pd. thumb and toe pistons
5 adjustable Sw thumb and toe pistons
Swell to Great thumb and toe pistons
Great to Pedal thumb and toe pistons
Swell to Pedal thumb and toe pistons
Balanced Swell Pedal
Humidifier