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This photo was taken at the Single Manuel Organ of Forest Hill Church, near Oxford.
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The text was taken from a record sleeve. |
John Webster was a pupil of Dr. John Dykes Bower and Dr. Sydney Watson. In 1938 he became Organ Scholar of University College, Oxford. He was later appointed Organist of the College, and also University Organist of the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin. He is well known on the continent, having given many recitals and broadcasts there. He is also a Professor of the Organ at Trinity College of Music, London. |
My first organ post, found for me by my organ tutor, Mr John Webster, was at the little village of Holton a few miles away from Forest Hill.
Forest Hill was combined with the church at Stanton St. John which is the next village. The morning service would be at Forest Hill and the evening service at Stanton St. John; the next week it was the other way round. I would occasionally forget and go to the wrong church in the morning and wonder why nobody came.
I remember John Webster with affection. He taught me to play on the organ of St. Mary the Virgin, The High Street, Oxford. This organ, now moved elsewhere, was a three manual instrument made by Walker of London.
John also designed the organ in the University College Chapel on the other side of Oxford High Street. He would give me the choice of which organ to play for my lesson.
John died many years ago now but he is still with me when I play the organ. I remember things he told me and try to live up to the standard of musicianship that he would have expected of me.
I look forward to more lessons when I get there as well. We were half way through one of Bach's Trio Sonatas.
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Copyright © John Hardaker, May 2000.
