We are pleased to make available a recording of our recent concert of compositions by John Dixon, performed by the composer himself on the War Memorial Organ at Southend High School for Boys - first shared as a livestream to the USA and elsewhere.
A biography and music list are available below, alongside a digital version of the complete programme for the evening containing various articles and more information about the organ and society.
Any financial support you are able to give the society would be very warmly welcomed. Please see secure online donation options below.
Trumpet Intrada
Organ Voluntaries on American Hymns
Holy Manna (William Moore, 1825)
Wayfaring Stanger (Appalachian Folk Melody)
Welcome Voice - Gwahoddiad (Lewis Hartsough, 1872)
To God Be the Glory (William Doane, 1875)
Suite for Manuals on American Folk Songs
Shortnin’ Bread
Shenandoah
O My Darling Clementine
Six White Horses and a Steam Engine
In Memoriam: L’Adieu
Baroque Suite
Aria in D
Hornpipe in D
Solemn Melody
Rondo Benvenuto
INTERVAL (20 minutes)
Organ Voluntaries on British Hymns and Carols
The Boar’s Head Carol (The Queen’s College, Oxford, 1521)
Down Ampney (Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906)
Ash Grove (Welsh folk melody) *
Christmas Carol (Henry Walford Davies, c. 1907) *
Thaxted (Gustav Holst, 1918)
Variations on an Irish Folk Tune *
Theme
Aria
Duo
Intermezzo
Solo for pedals
Finale
Fantasia on the School Song *
* denotes the FOUR WORLD PREMIÈRES offered in tonight's programme
An old boy of Southend High School for Boys (Tuscany, 1968 - 1975), John Dixon moved to America in 1988. Although he earned degrees in engineering and business, music has always been an important part of his life.
His composing has flourished at Providence Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach, where he has served as organist and composer-in-residence for twenty-five years. He now has more than 900 compositions to his credit, more than 150 having been published.
In 2003 he was appointed Executive Director of the Academy of Music, a community music school based in Norfolk, Virginia. Currently he serves as Treasurer and Councillor for Finance and Development of the American Guild of Organists.
The Old Southendian Organ Society (OSOS) was set up to protect and enhance the future of the War Memorial Organ at Southend High School for Boys and its thriving community of organists and musicians.
We're pleased you've joined us online today. We've been offering music online regularly since 2020, and are pleased to have a full programme of in person events resume for this special year in celebration of 100 years of the War Memorial Organ.
We would warmly welcome your support: instead of selling tickets, we invite you to help us continue our work in school and online by sending a donation through our quick and secure system managed by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).
Every donation counts: instead of a £10 concert ticket, a one-off donation will help us cover the costs of this concert, tuning the organ, and maintaining the opportunity for pupils to learn the organ.
Many thanks for joining us today, and thank you to our existing and new supporters: we are grateful for your generousity.