St Mary’s Old Basing has given thanks to its organist who has celebrated 50 years of service and dedication to the church.
At the end of the Christmas carol service, Paul Wright was presented with the Royal School of Church Music medal for loyal service. In the above photo, you can see him with Jo Jarrett Kerr, who runs the choir at Old Basing.
Paul’s achievement is even more impressive at a time of falling numbers of church organists. He heard St Mary’s was looking for an organist 50 years ago so, “I played for Christmas services in 1975, and the rest is history, as they say.”
Paul learnt to play the organ at Southwell Grammar School in Nottinghamshire. The head of music at the school was the organist at Southwell Minster. “He wouldn’t teach me until firstly, I got grade three on the piano, and secondly, my legs were long enough to reach the pedals!”
He began playing in local churches around Southwell before moving to Winchester to study at King Alfred’s College. He accompanied the college choir on tours of England’s cathedrals each Summer.
As well as being organist at St Mary’s Old Basing, he also plays at Steventon and other churches around the diocese.
Paul said, “One thing that’s really kept me there is that everybody very much enjoys their music. It’s thoroughly appreciated. People stay behind after the service and sit and listen to the organ voluntary. They take a great deal of interest, and they enjoy whatever you play.
“The whole point is to support the worship, and to make that as enjoyable and relevant as possible. It’s hugely inspiring to sit in a building and be able to make music in a sacred space like that. It’s not just a case of turning up and playing the organ, it’s all part of a bigger picture.”
Music has been Paul’s hobby alongside a career in teaching and in NHS computer systems. He has also spent time accompanying other choirs and singing groups across the Basingstoke area including tours around the world and concerts at prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall.
