MORE than 60 people came to hear musician Malcolm Archer play at St Andrew’s Church in Farnham, as it played host to a celebratory recital marking the start of North Hampshire Organists’ Association’s golden jubilee.

The group begun a year long programme of musical events in May to celebrate their golden jubilee.

Geoff Willis, from the North Hampshire Organists’ Association (NHOA), said: “The recital went really well. We were very pleased that over 60 people came to hear Malcolm play. The organ console is on a movable platform so the audience had a great view right in front of them.

“Malcolm entertained with a whole range of pieces so we heard the St Andrew’s organ at its best. One of the spectacular pieces was the Carillon de Westminster by French composer Vierne, the sound of the Westminster chimes was very evocative.”

Malcolm Archer who is an international organist and director of Chapel Music at Winchester College and the groups newly elected president, finished the recital with an improvisation of tunes suggested by the audience.

He had the whole audience in his hands with ‘Happy Birthday for the Golden Jubilee’, the tunes of Rule Britannia and Summertime intertwined in a boogie-woogie style as well as The Pink Panther and the famous tumpty-tum of The Archers.

Afterwards, people were able to meet and chat to Malcolm over some tasty refreshments.