After more than a decade of silence, Millthorpe School’s historic pipe organ has been beautifully restored to its full splendour, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the school’s musical heritage.
The organ has been lovingly restored by Geoffrey Coffin, the original organist who installed it in Millthorpe’s school hall. Over the past month, Geoffrey has worked tirelessly to return the instrument to its former glory through an extensive overhaul project.
Millthorpe School is now the only state school in York with a fully operational pipe organ, and from the new year, the school will offer pupils the opportunity to learn to play this magnificent instrument.
Members of the public and the school community are invited to experience the instrument’s majestic sound at Millthorpe School’s upcoming Christmas Concert on 2 December, where the talented Dr Max Elliot will play the organ.
Dr Elliot, who works with York Minster and serves as the Assistant Director of Music at St Olave’s and All Saints churches in York, has been an invaluable partner in arranging the organ’s repair and restoration.
Subject Lead of Music at Millthorpe School, Miss Alice Longbottom, said: “We’re hugely grateful to Geoffrey for all his hard work in bringing the pipe organ back to life. The sound is incredible and it will be a real privilege for some of our students to learn to play this wonderful instrument.
We’d love to see as many people as possible at our Christmas Concert. It will be a fantastic opportunity to hear the organ’s powerful tones fill the hall once more and we’re really excited to hear Max perform.”
Parents and carers of children at Millthorpe can purchase tickets for the Christmas Concert on ParentPay, whilst members of the public should email the School Office at admin@millthorpe.elt.org.uk with the subject line: Christmas Concert. Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £3 for under 16s.
You can view Geoffrey playing the organ here: https://youtu.be/wRIKVD4UsTo
25 November 2024
Pictured: Head of Music, Alice Longbottom with Geoffrey Coffin next to the newly restored pipe organ.
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