Every organist will know about ciphers (for those of you who spell everything the awkward way, cyphers). Ciphers strike fear into your heart and can turn you crazy. Ciphers are so smart they know when to happen, and that is always at the least convenient and most embarrassing time possible. 

Click the thumbnails above to see these products or to browse through the collection of many more products (ties, ipad cases, clock, bathmats, cards, bags etc) go here. 

Happy de-ciphering!

The Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields is now half-way through its 23rd season. Don't be deceived - it is not all organs.  So far, we have enjoyed an early music chamber group presenting Abendmusik, a harpist, operatic highlights, a wind ensemble, harpsichord, and yet to come includes a Chinese music programme).

The festival has a complex history but essentially it is a brainchild of the irrepressible Sergio de Pieri, who has nurtured it and supports it actively, along with the hoards of willing helpers. Sergio even cooks the post-concert suppers for performers and friends. It really is unique and exceedingly popular, as audiences for the 10-day event flock from all over (performers coming from Italy and New Zealand as well as Australia) to go to any of the events at locations in Ballarat or towns nearby - with 3 concerts a day, it is a music-lover's paradise.

And George the cricket? He's just popped out to lunch on a fly or whatever he fancies, I suppose. As far as the notorious Australian wildlife goes, he is the most ferocious I have met yet this time, but I suspect he is lonely. I must warn him not to go near the pigeons stuck in the wall/ceiling cavity above our room. At least, I hope they are pigeons. 

More on the organs themselves to come, but first I must try to finish writing my talk for tomorrow's presentation. In 33 degree heat today, a snooze will probably intervene.

 I can't believe I'm writing that (Last competition for 2017). So what rabbit hole did I fall down around the middle of the year. Have we had August and September? Perhaps I fell into a coma after drinking a vat of chocolate sauce. 
It doesn't matter. The point is, December is already puffing along giddily, hurling us towards 2018, and for some reason time is getting away on me. What happened to all those goals and projects? Perhaps I am getting older and perception of time is skewed because of how many millennia I have been alive. 
It reminds me of last Friday afternoon when I joyously threw myself down a mini-slide in the Margaret Mahy playground in Christchurch. Only 2 days earlier, I had giggled earthwards on a larger and longer slide, there so this was going to be a slide in the park. 
Only there it was again: the time warp. Before I had even let go of the bar at the top I was down below with a foot wrapped up and under my leg - not sure how it got there and it felt none too pleased about it either.  Limping pathetically almost a week later on a black appendage that had doubled in size, I ruefully realised that either I am slowing down (possible) or the world is speeding up (also possible) hence the awkward hiatus between real time and imagined time and how things can go woefully wrong.  
So here we are, nearly at the end of 2017, somehow.
After 8 long years, my book is out, it has been reviewed by very kind people who have chosen not to broadcast (or simply not seen) the faults that I can see between the pages. I have badgered and bullied people into buying it. We have managed to hold several competitions which I am glad to say seem to have delighted those who took part. Already I have bought stock for prizes for next year, so please keep tuned. There is plenty planned and of course we are all looking forward to hearing more definite news about the re-opening of the Town Hall. 
If you do not already get our Pipeline Press newsletter, sign up now - this is where I will tell you about competitions, discounts and snippets of news. Tell others to join! 
Oh, and the last competition? Yes - go here for the details and to enter. But hurry as it finishes in a couple of days. A real quickie. Although you MAY think it will finish in a couple of weeks. 
​Watch out for that time thief... 

Yay! Great news! If you're thinking of buying a framed print but don't live in America, this is just for you.
​Fine Art America has begun shipping framed prints from their new production facility in the Netherlands. This means that all orders for framed prints will ship to any address in Europe or the UK within 2 - 5 business days. Perhaps even more importantly, it also means low shipping rates, and no import taxes. FAA  now has 14 manufacturing centres in five countries.   Each manufacturing center can ship products to any destination in the world.   When you place an order, they will automatically route your order to the nearest manufacturing center in order to minimize shipping costs and speed up delivery times. Brilliant. 
​Click here to visit my Fine Art America shop with galleries and shop

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]

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. 

Many of you will already know what a pest I am when it comes to wringing organ stories out of you. Sorry, but I'm back at it again. The next stage of my work on the sequel to "Organ-isms: Anecdotes from the World of the King of Instruments" has stepped up with my need for lots and lots of short, pithy comments, musings, observations, notes, little stories from organists (and their henchmen - ie page turners, teachers etc) from their days spent labouring with love and sometimes a great deal of frustration at this wonderful instrument. 
If you're not sure what I'm on about, please rush over to the newly created submission page, read about the coming sequel, and immediately jot down an offering! You wouldn't want to be left out, would you?!?  Go there now!