I have been organist at St. George’s, East Worthing since June 1984; each week I play for about 30 minutes before the 10:30am service and afterwards play a substantial voluntary drawn from my extensive repertoire of 16th –early 19th century keyboard music from across Europe. During the Communion on the 2nd Sunday of each month I generally play appropriate Falsas, Durezze, Elevazione and Unter der Wandlung, with occasional settings of the Credo and Lord’s Prayer. Whenever possible I match the theme of the Voluntary to the Liturgical requirements, or celebrate National Days of European countries and present pieces by composers whose anniversaries fall in the year.

Knowing how difficult it is for young and new organists to plan music and choose a voluntary suitable to the time of the Church year, I am posting the music I have used, with date and the Sunday in the liturgical year. Please take a look, they are not easy pieces, but I hope it gives you ideas and helps.

Music used as voluntaries in 2017

Music used as voluntaries in 2016
Music used as voluntaries in 2015

I am available for non-Sunday morning services including weddings and funerals and have the advantage of a large European repertoire from which to draw for special requirements (I have played for weddings where the bride was Italian and the family were delighted to hear music from their area of Italy).

I give recitals in the south and in London with regular appearances at other churches in Worthing, Brighton, Shoreham and Eastbourne, and have also played at Chichester Cathedral, Handel House, Christ’s Chapel, Dulwich and various venues for BIOS. I am always happy to play at Flower Festivals and Church Fairs by providing general background music, as well as organ recitals in which I can also offer a very wide repertoire of European organ music from the Iberian, South and Central German/Austrian, English and Dutch schools from ca 1430-1830. I can also offer most extensive selections from Poland, Croatia and Slovenia.

I have given classes on performance practice of the Iberian repertoire at the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, and am available for lessons on general performance practice, particularly including fingering and ornamentation, for students of all levels, and also on general repertoire-building.

For further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

© John Collins 2013