MUSIC will be raising the roof in Tavistock Parish Church over the next few months to help pay for the restoration of its historic organ. The organ is one of the largest in the area with 45 speaking stops and five octaves. Dr Sean Sweeney, associate organ player at the church, said:? The organ dates back to the 19th Century. It was actually built in 1845, and at that time it was a very big project for the church and one of the largest in the area. ?The organ was enlarged in 1879 and 1891 and the latest restoration is going to enlarge it a little bit more while dealing with the deterioration?. The price of restoration will be in the region of £35,000. Over the past year, the restoration fund has grown steadily through various projects, including sponsoring an organ pipe or sponsoring an organ voluntary, in which people donate money for their favourite piece to be played. Dr Sweeney said: ?We?re making progress and are about a quarter of the way there. The work started on Monday and we are hoping to have it ready by Christmas?. The Friends of St Eustachius? Church have been raising funds for the organ over the past year and are planning more events throughout 2006. While the organ undergoes restoration, a replacement was being installed this week and will be the instrument Dr Sweeney will be performing on at the recital. From September to November a series of concerts will be held to help raise money for the fund, with an array of styles to suit everybody. The concerts include: l Saturday, September 10 with a piano recital by Brian Chapple. Saturday September 24, organ recital by Sean Sweeney. Saturday, October 8, an evening of vocal and instrumental music. Saturday, November 19, sacred music performed by the parish choir. Tickets for the concerts are £5 and will be available on the door, with refreshments provided by the Friends of St Eustachius. For more information about the concerts contact Dr Sweeney on 01822 610796. If you would like to donate money to the fund or sponsor an organ pipe, you can contact the treasurer, Ossie Palmer, on 615584 or send it to the church, care of Mr Palmer.
