Society of Saint Gregory

Hi JW

Thanks - the example score was educational.

I was aware of some of the tuning issues regarding organs when they are accompanying instrumental groups - but not how to minimise it. I would imagine that the harmonics are desirable when solo or accompanying the choir - so shall remember to ...

Hi Musicus

That avatar is not my usual one, as the system rejects that one (it is the trombone equivalent!), hence the maddening keyboard ostinato!

That's a kind offer - my nearest 'big' town is Bangor, North Wales. I'm afraid, since I've stopped playing, I have lost all my local contacts - I ...

Hi Doc

Many thanks for your quick reply - thanks for the 'organ stop encyclopaedia' link - really useful.

This is exactly the information I require re ranges, stops, etc. To be honest, I'd not even heard of a swell manual. What exactly does this do? Is it something that basically increases the ...

Hi Guys

It has suddenly occurred to me that this is the perfect forum for help! Where better than here for help for writing for the organ?

As you can probably gather, I am not an organist (or even a competent pianist) but I have to rescore some of my sacred works down from full orchestra and ...

Hi Gwyn

There is also the obvious choice - publish it yourself!

I know of at least two, very successful composers who have never had a publisher - one lives in my village, and wouldn't I just love his income?

If you have Sibelius , or something similar, then it is a simple matter to churn ...

Thank you all for your replies and good wishes. There are some possibilities I had not considered, and will certainly explore.

Are liturgical composers the poorest relations of a very impoverished family.... composers ?! I suppose the satisfaction comes from writing music with the highest aim ...

Hello VML

Thank you for your reply. I must say, perhaps I was rather naive in thinking the Catholic Church would be interested in my work.

I have written it with the original Latin text so that it could be used in the liturgy, if not in whole, then in abstract with, say, a piano/organ ...

P.S.

Sorry about the style of the above - no false modesty here! - but you can tell I have spent some time in the States learning how to sell myself - no matter how much against the grain it goes. (It is an aspect of the business that I loathe, but is sadly necessary to open doors.)

I am a published and prize-winning composer, new to this forum, and I am nearing completion of a major work for a professional-standard choir and orchestra. It is a Requiem in nine movements, and is entitled: 'A Soldier's Requiem'.

I have completed seven movements and am currently drafting the ...