On request, the Organ Advisory Service gives advice to churches on their organs. It has a Panel of 14 Advisors in various parts of the country. 

Since comprehensive records began to be kept in 1993 some 120 churches have received (and are receiving) advice.

Advice given can consist of:

• reports on the condition of an instrument following an inspection
• what (if any) repairs are necessary
• comments on or proposals for any desirable improvements
• the selection of suitable organ builders
• comments on prices received

There is no fee but travelling and out-of-pocket expenses have to be met by the church. The Organ Advisory Service has a fund which is used to assist Advisors with the cost of attending agreed courses, conferences etc. to keep up to date with technical developments and if a church wished to make a donation to this fund it would be very much appreciated – but this is in no way obligatory.

Redundant Organ Register

The Organ Advisory Service also keeps a Register of Redundant Pipe Organs which may be notified to it and advises on, and tries to arrange for, the re-location of such organs where possible.

Finding new homes for Pipe Organs is not easy because:

• physical dimensions can be critical
• the scale and power of the organ has to be matched to the size and acoustics of a new location
• the cost of moving an instrument can be very considerable depending on its condition, type of action and what, if any, alterations are necessary fit or suit it to the new location

In spite of this, in the last 9 years, of 34 instruments registered, 13 have been moved to other churches – in a number of cases to churches on the continent.

No pipe organ should be scrapped without first obtaining advice as to its potential. If re-location is considered a possibility, as much time as possible should be allowed to seek this and it is therefore important that notice of an impending redundancy is given as early as possible.

Enquiries about advice or redundant organs (available or sought) should be made to the Co-ordinator of the Guild’s Organ Advisory Service via our Enquiry Form.