Although we are not officially anything to do with the Christchurch Transitional Cathedral (the Cardboard Cathedral) it's always of great interest when organists come and go.  Now the time has come for someone to go (Nick Sutcliffe) and another to fill his place.  This is from the Cardboard Cathedral's website: 

"The Transitional Cathedral in Christchurch is the temporary home of Cathedral worship following the significant damage done to the old Cathedral in the 2011 earthquakes that shook the city. A modern streamlined building designed by Japanese Architect, it is the only Pritzger Prize winning building in NZ.  It houses a large Rodgers Infinity series 484 Digital organ, one of the first of these models to be installed in the world.

A decision on the future of the old Cathedral (and its 3 manual, 76 stop, Hill Norman & Beard organ) is expected to be announced at Christmas this year. The Assistant Organist may have some input into the future organ of the new Cathedral. The Assistant Organist is deputy to the Cathedral’s Director of Music, John Linker, and is generally expected to play for all regular Cathedral services during school terms when the Cathedral Choir is on duty.

We are open to all options at the moment and would consider expressions of interest both those from those seeking long-term employment and those looking at a shorter (one year minimum) position. This may be attractive to those seeking a ‘Gap” year in New Zealand from overseas. An attractive package is on offer.
Read more on the Cathedral website and go to Cathedral Music, 
Full details and further information are available from the Cathedral’s Administrator, Chris Oldham and Director of Music, John Linker on [email protected]

Below: just a couple of excellent bargains that buyers in our organgifts.com shop got for themselves yesterday. 

 At this time of year - and not just on Black Friday - Zazzle showers the shoppers at Zazzle with great bargains, if you know where to look! Coupons appear on zazzle.com/coupons which make a huge difference to the total cost. But remember that this is for the dot.com site and the other Zazzle sites around the world have their own copupons and discounts which can be quite different. . Check your order carefully! So get going now and get those Christmas presents sorted early. 

The terrible terrorist acts in Paris have stunned the world and left so many of us speechless with shock and grief. A city of love and light, to be so defiled, speaks of the dark mindset of the medieval  animals behind this. This is not what our ancestors have laboured for centuries to create - they wanted to build beauty, and love, and inspiration, not fear and ugliness.
Our hearts and prayers are with the people of Paris, of France, of Europe, that they may work against these horrors to make it a safe and happy place for all.  We will work beside them. 

Delighted to find that a large print of the Sydney Town Hall Hill pipe organ has been sold to a buyer in Minnesota. I can see why this angle appeals - the pipes look huge in comparision with the organist below them - and indeed they are! It really makes a statement about how large organs can be, and just how beautifully decorated and encased the pipes often are.
You can view the image on the Fine Art America website here

The cufflinks on the Zazzle organ gift store are terrific - small gifts, so easy to post and very elegant. The new design here, showing the Cliquot/Cavaille-Coll organ in St Sulpice, Paris, would be easily recognised by any organist. No mistaking that clock, for starters!

One of the sales today (thanks to all the buyers!)  was a fun Tee, showing the front of the organ in Beziers Cathedral, south of France, with the words: "HINT: I'd like this for my birthday." Several different organs are shown in this design range, and you can see the others by following this link

REMINDER: The 40% discount off the anecdotes book (Organ-isms: Anecdotes from the World of the King of Instruments) which has chortles coming from behind every organ console during the sermon ends in just over 24 hours (Monday noon Pacific Time), so order your copy here now! 

Get your calendars before November 11 using the code ZVETDAYSALES at checkout to get a huge 60% off the normal price. This is too good to pass up, so bite the bullet and do it now! Available on Zazzle.com until November 11, 2015 at 11:59PM PT.