About the Surrey Organists' Association...

Supporting organists in our area

Operating across much of Surrey, the SOA provides advice and support for organists - whatever their experience and level of expertise.

Training new organists (Organ Student Scheme)   

The scheme is particularly suitable for pianists wishing to learn another instrument, and for those who ‘reluctantly’ have been asked to step in when no organist is available. The SOA provides an initial set of ‘free-of-charge’ lessons, and a small grant towards music. For continuing students, we can suggest local teachers, and provide further support through our education programme. For more information, see our Organ Student Scheme page.

Events - Informative workshops and visits         

Our continuing education programme provides topics of interest to players of all levels in workshops directed by experienced musicians. Subjects recently covered include improvisation,  hymn playing, practice techniques, as well as advice for new organists, and those taking a first appointment. We also arrange visits for members to play organs in different locations, both within Surrey and further afield. For more information, visit our Events page.

Organ tuition at all levels         

Looking for regular lessons, or just some occasional help? We have a list of experienced tutors who will help with ABRSM grades, organ scholar applications, diploma exams, as well as basic hymn playing! For more information, contact us (see below).

Looking for an organist, either temporarily or for a permanent position?

We may be able to help – our 'Find an organist' page includes information on available organists, as well as details of how to advertise your requirement.

Membership - join us

If you would like to join us and participate in our programme, please contact our Secretary, Ian Wickens, email secretary@surreyorganistsassociation.org, or phone 01252 312410.

Our current annual subscription is £13 payable on the 1st October each year. Where new members join more than halfway into the subscription year, ie after 1st April, a half rate of £6.50 will apply for the remainder of that year. Student membership is £5pa..

Contact us

For general enquiries, please contact the current Chair of the SOA committee, Ian Church; email enquiries@surreyorganistsassociation.org, or phone 07860 520686.

Privacy...

The personal data held by the SOA typically includes a member’s title, first name and surname, postal address, email address, landline and/or mobile telephone number(s), and may where applicable include other details such as a Gift-Aid declaration, organ post held, academic and professional qualifications, honours, etc. The core details are required to maintain your membership and to communicate information such as forthcoming events and meeting. Membership of the SOA automatically makes you a member of our national parent body, the Incorporated Association of Organists (IAO). Once a year the SOA is asked to file a return of current member names and email addresses with the IAO (also the postal address at the outset of membership so that the new member can be sent a free copy of the Organists' Review).  Neither the SOA nor the IAO will disclose your personal data to any third party without your permission. The purpose of sharing contact details with the IAO is so that the IAO can uniquely identify a member for the purpose of verifying entitlements to benefits such as discounts for events, goods and services, including (for example) a reduced rate subscription to the Organists' Review magazine. For more information about privacy of your data, please contact our Secretary, Ian Wickens, email secretary@surreyorganistsassociation.org, or phone 01252 312410.