A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Organists, College of
ORGANISTS, COLLEGE OF, an association founded in 1864 on the initiative of the late Mr. R. D. Limpus, with a view (1) to provide a central organization in London of the profession of organist; (2) To provide a system of examinations and certificates for the better definition and protection of the profession, and to secure competent organists for the service of the church; (3) to provide opportunities for intercourse amongst members of the profession and the discussion of professional topics; (4) to encourage the composition and study of sacred music. A council was chosen, and the College was opened at Queen Square, Bloomsbury, and afterwards located at 95 Great Russell Street. The College of Organists is incorporated under the Companies' Acts; it consists of a President, Vice-Presidents, Musical Examiners, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Librarian, Hon. Auditors (2), Fellows, Associates, Hon. Members and Ordinary Members. The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London are Patrons of the College, and the names of some notable musicians appear among the office-bearers—Elvey, Goss, Hullah, Macfarren, Ouseley, Stewart, Sullivan, Stainer, Hopkins, Bridge, etc.—from the commencement up to the present time. A council of twenty-one Fellows, with the Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer, hold the reins of government, retiring annually; two-thirds of the number are re-elected with seven other Fellows who have not served during the preceding year. The trustees are Messrs. M. E. Wesley, E. J. Hopkins, and E. H. Turpin. At the general meeting every July the retiring council present their report on the state of the College.
Arrangements are made for the half-yearly holding of Examinations in Organ Playing, General Knowledge of the Organ, Harmony, Counterpoint, Composition, Sight-reading, and general musical knowledge, after passing which a candidate is entitled to a First Class diploma admitting him to a fellowship in the College. This examination is only open to candidates who have previously been examined for and obtained the certificate of associateship, and to musical graduates of the English Universities. An idea of the growth of this institution may fairly be gained by comparing the numbers of candidates for examination in different years. Whereas 7 presented themselves in July 1866, 38 came up in 1876, and 244 in 1886. Of Fellows, Associates and Members the College now numbers about 600, a position which the Hon. Secretary, Mr. E. H. Turpin, and the Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Wesley, have greatly assisted in securing and maintaining for the institution. To the latter gentleman is due the proposal to establish a Pension Fund for organists incapacitated by age or illness, a proposal which is likely to be followed up. Other features of the College work are the Organists' Register, and the prizes for composition.
Since June, 1887, the press representation of the College has been effected through the 'Musical World,' a part of which weekly paper is under the superintendence of Mr. E. H. Turpin, and is devoted to organ news and articles of special importance to organists, besides occasional reports of the lectures delivered at the College meetings. It would be impossible in a small space to give an adequate idea of the number and interest of these addresses, which are largely attended by strangers and friends; the list of those that were heard in the year 1886–7 includes 'Ancient Keyboard Music,' by Mr. Hipkins; 'Musical Elocution,' by Mr. Ernest Lake; 'False Relations,' by Mr. James Turpin; 'Organ Construction,' by Mr. Richardson; and 'How to enjoy Music,' by Mr. Banister.