Julie Ainscough at the Frobenius organ of
All Saints' Parish Church, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey (U.K.).

Photograph: © Copyright 2000 Michael Harrold Artist Management.

Organ Recitalist, Ensemble Player & Accompanist

Julie Ainscough has received critical acclaim for her performances of organ music from the late Renaissance and the Baroque eras, and has a particular affinity with the music of the Spanish, French and North German schools. She is also highly-reputed as a performer of organ music by the major French romantic and Twentieth Century composers.

Organ repertoire commences with the prime early sources (Buxheimer, Robertsbridge, Fitzwilliam and the like) and includes a broad swathe of Baroque music (Spanish and the French Grand Siècle especially, but focussing ultimately on J.S. Bach), the principal works of the French Romantic era and the early-mid Twentieth century (Franck, Vierne, Dupré, Alain and Messiaen), plus the quintessentially-English works of Elgar and Howells.

Julie Ainscough has performed extensively on historic instruments, dating from 1638 to the present day. These include the venerable old organs of Salamanca and Burgos Cathedrals and of the El Escorial Basilica, two Cavaillé-Coll organs in San Sebastian (one of which, in the Basilica of Santa Maria, is almost identical to the instrument - as was built originally and not as found today, much-rebuilt - which César Franck played at Saint Sulpice in Paris, the recently-rediscovered 1766 Thomas Parker organ at the Parish Church of St. Mary & St. Nicholas in Leatherhead (restored by Messrs. Goetze & Gwynne). She had charge, a few years ago, of a fine, three-manual, tracker action, William Hill instrument of 1866 (still in largely-original condition). plus numerous recent instruments by such eminent builders as Kenneth Jones, Erik Frobenius, Joseph von Glatter-Götz (Rieger Orgelbau), Matthew Copley and the late Andrew Pennells (J.W. Walker & Company).

Julie Ainscough teaches organ to Royal College of Organists' professional diploma levels. Students have achieved success in obtaining "OxBridge" organ scholarships: e.g. Exeter College, University of Oxford (2001-2004 and now Artistic Director of Riverside Opera), New College, University of Oxford (2008-2011) and Jesus College, University of Cambridge (2008-2011). Julie Ainscough also performs as a harpsichordist and as a pianist. She has given concerts of chamber music in association with Gerard McDonald and other friends who are much involved in Baroque music performed on period instruments. She was acclaimed highly by the audience (and by her fellow performers) after directing the Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 from the harpsichord during a concert in which she also conducted the Blackheath & Bramley Choral Society (of which she was then Musical Director) in works by Handel. Solo piano recitals are quite rare occurrences, but she has accompanied professional singers and instrumentalists in Romantic and Twentieth Century repertoire.

Julie Ainscough presided at the Cathedral organ at Guildford on the Tenth of May 2003 when she took part in a performance of Elgar's "The Dream of Gerontius". The forces involved included the Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra with the Hampton & Lady Eleanor Holles Schools' Choral Society, with soloists Karen Wise (Mezzo-soprano), Neil Jenkins (Tenor) and - Old Hamptonian - Robert Hayward (Baritone). The performance, given before a large and appreciative audience, was conducted by Richard Laing.

Julie Ainscough took charge - from Advent Sunday 2002 - of a fine, three-manual "Father" Willis organ, having then commenced in her appointment as Director of Music for the Parish Church of Saint Mary the Virgin at Ewell, near Epsom in Surrey. This instrument is of closely similar technical specification and quality to the renowned organ of Truro Cathedral (built two years earlier by the same distinguished Company of Henry Willis & Son). The most recent recital given on the Ewell Willis by Julie Ainscough took place on Saturday, the 18th of November 2006 at 7:30 p.m. Burgeoning demand for her services as a teacher of organ and piano, together with an increasing commitment to composition, and with changes at the church, rendered Julie Ainscough's tenure of the post at Ewell impracticable. Her resignation took effect from September 2007. She continues to teach on the Ewell organ and to play for occasional services and funerals at St. Mary's.

Julie Ainscough is available (within reasonable travelling distance) as a deputising organist and choirmaster for evening services. Holy Trinity Parish Church, Westcott, near Dorking, has involved only one service per month, while the joint benefices of St. Thomas of Canterbury at East Clandon and St. Peter and St. Paul, West Clandon (near Guildford) feature regularly on Julie Ainscough's deputising schedule: the incumbent Organist there is none other than her Ph.D. supervisor, Professor Sebastian Forbes! Deputising has also taken her to Christ Church United Reformed Church in Leatherhead (to where she was invited to return to cover their 2008 Christmas Carol Service and various evening services).

"This occasion was very special. . . Many of the chorus have said to me that they thought the instrumental playing was particularly fine this year. I can only echo their words, thank you, and hope that you enjoyed yourself to such an extent that you may want to join us again next year." (MALCOLM SINGER, Director of Music, Yehudi Menuhin School).