New cathedral organ aims to break down barriers

Gloucester Cathedral is having a new pipe organ built inside its 350-year-old case as part of the £3m In Tune Project, replacing a digitally played instrument used since 2022. The instrument is being designed to better support congregational singing, cathedral choirs and a forthcoming outreach programme.

Gloucester Cathedral is having a new pipe organ installed within its 350-year-old case. The cathedral relied on digital organ sounds from 2022 after an electrical failure affected the previous instrument. The new organ is part of the £3m In Tune Project and is intended to support congregational singing and the cathedral’s choirs. Builders and cathedral staff describe the instrument as intended for long-term liturgical use rather than short-term musical fashions. Key details: - The organ is being rebuilt by Nicholson and Co, with head voicer James Atherton overseeing the work. - The instrument under construction will have 3,338 pipes, slightly fewer than the previous organ. - Work is reported to be about three quarters complete and involved design choices to achieve tonal variety without adding extra pipes. - Cathedral staff say the new instrument is aimed at supporting liturgy and congregational singing after criticism that the 1971 organ was oriented toward concert music. - After the earlier instrument failed, samples from Hereford Cathedral were used through speakers until the new organ could be built. - The organ is scheduled to be launched at an organ festival in June and will be central to a new outreach programme at the cathedral. Summary: The cathedral and builders present the new organ as a long-term liturgical instrument intended to broaden musical participation and support daily worship. It is nearing completion and will be unveiled at an organ festival in June, while also forming part of planned outreach activities.