Play the organ year 2025

The Society of Women Organists is delighted to be supporting Play the Organ Year 2025, an initiative led by the Royal College of Organists. The campaign is designed to inspire a year-long effort by the whole organ-playing community, not just to increase the number of people learning to play the organ, but also the number enjoying live and recorded organ music. To help organists and venues arrange Play the Organ Year events and activities, a free Play the Organ Year resource pack is available to download at www.rco.org.uk/play.

 

On Saturday 6th September, 25 girls took part in 'Play Like a Girl' at St Giles Cripplegate, part of the RCO's Play the Organ Year 2025. After a personal introductory video from SWO Patron Anna Lapwood, the day featured performances by the girls in a wide range of genres, from Bach to Wallace and Gromit. We heard from guest speakers Abigail Balfour-Rowley, Daniel Moult, Imogen Morgan and Giuliana Tritto, and there was a special themed quiz based on women composers. Participants also had an opportunity to perform nearby at St Lawrence Jewry, and we enjoyed performances from SWO members Imogen Morgan and Anna Steppler. Thank you to all the SWO volunteers and to Barbican Chimes for providing goody bags and gift voucher prizes for those attending.

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Alongside Play the Organ Year is SWO's individual recruitment campaign, pluSWOne.​