FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Below are a number of questions I have attempted to answer in relation to my services as a freelance organist.

Where can I book you to play?

Across most of the East of England, the East Midlands and London. I offer a full range of services (church services, weddings, funerals and recitals) in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, and a weddings-only service in all other locations, subject to availability and the duties of my regular post. This coverage can be seen on the areas covered page. I do not actively offer services in locations outside this area, but if you require my services further afield, please contact me for an individual quotation, and I will do my best to accommodate your request.

Can I see details of your past appointments and hear you play?

Yes. Details of my training and qualifications, as well as my current and past positions, can be found by reading my biography. You can also listen to my sample recordings where you will find both hymns and organ repertoire.

Can I bring my own organist to play for a service?

It depends. If there is an organist in post, that organist usually has the right to play at all services in the church. If you want to bring your own organist in such a case, this must be agreed with the incumbent organist and the minister. The incumbent organist is entitled to take his full fee, which is often included in what you pay to the church. It is therefore unusual for permission to be withheld, but you will effectively be paying two organist fees. If there is no organist in post, you are normally able to book your own organist. In all cases, though, you should ensure you have permission from the church authorities to book a visiting organist to play.

Can you play for my wedding reception as well as the wedding service?

In many cases, yes. Besides being an organist, I am also a diploma-qualified pianist able to perform in a variety of styles. I offer special combined rates for organ music at a church service and piano music at a subsequent reception. Please note it is essential that there is a piano at the venue, as I am not able to offer provision of portable instruments. Also, the reception venue must be reasonably close to where the service was held, or else additional travel expenses will apply.

Do you publish your fees?

Yes. On each of the county and town/city pages, you will see my standard fees. You can therefore be sure that my prices are transparent and fair. Fees are fixed according to location and are never quoted on a subjective or opportunistic basis.

Do you play requested music?

In most cases, yes. I endeavour to play all reasonable music requests. You must make these requests in good time, and if I am unable to source the music, you will either need to provide me with sheet music or cover the costs of my purchasing it. Please note that in no circumstances will I play music that undermines the dignity of the service or that belittles the Christian faith.

Do you attend wedding rehearsals?

No. This is entirely unnecessary, and there is no gain to be had from my being present at a rehearsal. I have played at weddings for over 30 years, and am well accustomed to tailoring and truncating music as circumstances dictate. You are welcome to give me instructions in relation to your music, but to attend a rehearsal would incur another fee identical to the service fee. With respect to rehearsing with soloists, please see the next question.

Do you accompany singers and instrumental soloists?

Yes. I am an experienced accompanist who has accompanied solo singers, choirs and instrumentalists for many years. A short 10-15 minute rehearsal immediately prior to a service would not incur an extra charge, but anything more than this would not be included in a quotation.

Why are wedding fees charged at the time of booking?

To make things simpler for everyone. I have used this system since 2012. Experience has shown that, even with the very best of intentions, people have better things on their mind than to remember to pay the organist on the day of a service, and it is acutely embarrassing to have to ask to be paid. There have also been some unreasonable cancellations, so I now take fees in advance. Please be assured that you will always receive a receipt and a full booking confirmation within 24 hours of making a payment. I charge 50% as a non-refundable deposit, and the remaining 50% is returned if a booking is cancelled with at least one month's notice. As you will appreciate, if a booking is cancelled, I cannot just move on to the next job as in some other professions. It is highly likely that I will have already turned down other work, and this lost work cannot then be recovered. I therefore need your commitment that bookings will go ahead, in the same way that you need my commitment not to let you down in anything other than the most extreme circumstances.

Do you have suggested hymn and music lists?

Yes. Complimentary copies of music and hymn lists are provided when making a booking if you require them. I have hymn lists for both weddings and funerals, and a music list of items suitable for the various parts of a wedding service. The hymn lists contain references to my 200+ hymn recordings, which are freely available for you to listen to.

What availability do you have?

It is highly variable. I have a permanent position as Organist at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. My duties at the Shrine take priority in every instance, but I am always happy to fit in private bookings in my free time. As my regular duties vary so considerably according to the day of the week and any extra solemnities that occur, it would be almost impossible for me to provide a concrete answer to this. It is far easier to call me and explain your requirements, and I will usually be able to give you an immediate response.