The Willis organ has an authentic voice for playing English repertoire and is the perfect instrument for accompanying the Choir
Organ music has a rich history at St John’s – an organ has been owned by the College since it was founded in 1511, and the world-famous Choir of St John’s has been accompanied by the organ since the Choir began in the 1670s. ‘Father’ Willis was a pioneering Victorian organ builder, and an instrument constructed in 1889 will be relocated to Cambridge to replace the Chapel’s current Mander instrument, which has served the College since 1994.
‘Father’ Willis was famous for numerous instruments, including those at Salisbury and Truro Cathedrals — the latter being the sister to the instrument now destined for Cambridge. The instrument was initially housed in Hampstead Conservatoire, before being moved to St Peter’s Church, Brighton in 1910. The organ project, which will run until May 2026, is the largest St John’s Chapel has seen for at least a generation. It involves highly specialised work to remove the Mander organ and move it to a new home at St John the Divine in Kennington. The work installing the historic Willis pipework at St John’s College is being carried out by Durham firm Harrison & Harrison Ltd.
Christopher Gray, Director of Music at St John’s, said: “Alongside the College Choir, an organ features at the heart of our daily services in Chapel, as it has done for centuries.“ The Willis organ has an authentic voice for playing English repertoire and is the perfect instrument for accompanying the Choir, with a vast palette of colours that will delicately shimmer in quiet passages and powerfully underpin the most thrilling climaxes. “As a solo instrument, it will be an ideal match for English music by composers like Elgar and Howells, and it will be versatile enough to bring its own voice to the main schools of organ repertoire, from Bach to Messiaen.”
Three years ago, the ‘Father’ Willis organ was carefully dismantled and stored by Harrison & Harrison and the painstaking project will see the new organ begin to be installed from July this year. Careful restoration and enhancement of the original Willis pipework will now take place, with new chests, winding, and actions being provided. Two stops from the current organ will be retained: the Cymbelstern, and the famous Trompeta Real. The organ’s historic case, designed by John Oldrid Scott, will remain unchanged.
The Victorian Chapel at St John’s is an iconic feature of the Cambridge skyline and attracts thousands of visitors every year. During the transition period, a Viscount digital organ will be used to maintain the regular schedule of sung services. While the Chapel’s east end will be closed for works from February until October 2025, normal services will continue throughout the year with the inauguration of the new instrument in May 2026.
Mr Gray added: “Organ music elevates special occasions such as the Advent Carol Service and the annual services marking matriculation and graduation, as well as featuring in numerous recitals and concerts each term. Visitors to Chapel and listeners to our broadcasts and recordings will be able to experience some of the most beautiful music of recent centuries played on an organ of the finest pedigree.”
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