Christ's Hospital
Chapel organ appeal – How you can help
The restoration of the Chapel organ is a major undertaking requiring £1 million in funding. We hope that Old Blues and others will recognise the central importance of the organ and so wish to become involved in this vital project. Whether you have memories of being in Chapel listening to or singing along to the organ, have played the organ yourself or wish to ensure that CH and its pupils continue to benefit from this magnificent instrument there is a unique opportunity to play your part.
“After more than 90 years of near daily use, it is, understandably, in need of some serious care and attention. We are aware of the significance of the undertaking, but we are determined that the generations of pupils to come are able to give voice to our belief that Chapel really is the heart of the place.” Senior Chaplain, The Reverend Craig Huxley-Jones
Sponsor a Pipe
CH’s Sponsor a Pipe initiative enables supporters to make their mark in CH’s wonderful history through sponsoring individual organ pipes. Individuals can choose to support one or more pipes, with sponsorship levels ranging from £100 for a 2ft pipe (such as a piccolo) and £500 for a 4ft pipe (such as an octave or lieblich) to £5,000 for one of the vast 32ft pipes (such as a diapson) and £20,000 for the famous tuba magna.
2FT
The smallest and highest pipes, including some pipes that actually sound different notes to the ones being played. These ranks add sparkle to the sound.
£100
4FT
These stops add a brightness and distinction to the sound, particularly in such a large building. They might be whistling Flutes or striking Diapasons.
£500
8FT
The foundation of the organ, with many different varieties of sounds at piano pitch; from rich, noble diapasons, to ethereal strings, to reeds both gentle (like the Clarinet, Oboe, and French Horn) and brazen (like the Trumpet and Tuba).
£1,000
16FT
The bass pipes, underpinning the sound of the whole instrument. Most of these ranks are pedal stops, played on a 32-note keyboard for the organist’s feet.
£2,500
32FT
The very biggest and lowest pipes, creating more of a rumble than a precise note at the bottom end. Charles Hazlewood tells us that the very bottom notes make the Head Teacher’s stall shake at the other end of Chapel!
£5,000
West End Tuba (8FT)
The most famous stop on the CH organ. The instrument is unusual in having two Tubas (the loudest keyboard reed), a pretty noisy one at the East End and an ear-splitting stop at the West End. C. S. Lang (Director of Music 1929-1945) composed his most famous piece, the ‘Tuba Tune’ for this instrument. It is a staple of every organist’s repertoire.
£20,000
Recognising your generosity
All those contributing to the fundraising campaign will be acknowledged through a special commemorative area of the CH website. Those contributing £5,000 or more will be acknowledged on a plaque in Chapel.
Click below to find out more about the project and how you can support its transformation.
