Past Events 2022
Martin Setchell at the organ
Martin with the commendation he nearly didn't notice
The 2022 Organ Curator's concert was a popular event on Monday with around 1300 people attending. Organist Martin Setchell got the biggest surprise of his life when Mayor Lianne Dalziel announced that the City Council was about to present him with a commendation in honour of his 25 dedicated years as curator of the iconic Rieger organ. Everyone in the audience was let in on the secret, but blinded by spotlights, Martin didn't see Councillor Yani Johanson trying to present him with the award, and sat down to begin playing. 
The delighted laughter of the audience alerted Martin to the approaching award and he paused long enough to accept it, lost for words. But his playing said it all. Thank you Martin, for those 25 amazing years. 
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2022 was our Happy anniversaries concert!
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Christchurch audiences who love the iconic organ in their town hall had yet another musical treat - and guess what? It was free! 

Dear Friend of the Town Hall Organ,
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Greetings from me, Martin Setchell, your Town Hall organist on behalf of the Friends of the Christchurch Town Hall Organ Trust. We hope this e-mail finds you safe and well in these Covid-ravaged times!
Despite all the problems and uncertainties over the last few years, the Trust is glad that the annual Town Hall organ curator's concert has been able to go ahead in both 2020 and 2021, and I'm delighted to let you know that this year's concert is coming up soon on Queen's Birthday weekend Monday, Monday 6 June at 2pm.
It's a special one this year in that the date marks several anniversaries; hence the concert's title 'Happy Anniversaries". 
There's a lot to celebrate!
  • Most importantly, it's almost exactly 25 years since the Rieger organ was first opened after completion in May 1997.
  • The second anniversary is the reason it is being held on Queen's Birthday Monday We'll be joining millions across the world in celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee that weekend (In February this year she became the first British monarch to complete 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth). So I will include a special organ arrangement of Handel's famous Coronation Anthem "Zadok the Priest". 
  • The third anniversary is the bi-centenary of the birth of the great French composer César Franck ( born 200 years ago in 1822). My programme will include two of his  most popular organ works, the evocative Chorale No 3 in A minor and the beautiful Cantabile in B major.  A new work will also be featured:  a witty set of variations on George Gershwin's 'I got rhythm' by Walsall Town Hall organist, Harold Britton.
  • The final anniversary is my own! This concert will also mark my 25th year of service to Christchurch as your Town Hall organ curator. (How time flies when you're enjoying yourself!)
Once again thanks to the support of Venues Otautahi, the concert will be FREE, but you do need to register online using the link on the organ website nzorgan.com  It being a public holiday, the Trust has some additional costs to meet, so we would ask you to seriously consider a donation to the Trust if you are able. You can do this via Eventbrite as you register on line, or as you leave after the concert. Currently, there is no limit on attendance, but of course, it's always possible the Government could reintroduce the 'red' limit of 200 attendees, in which case seats would have to go to the first 200 registrants. So DON"T DELAY - REGISTER HERE NOW!

Best wishes, and I hope you can join me in the Douglas Lilburn auditorium at Christchurch Town Hall on Queen's birthday Monday, in only 6 weeks' time now!
Kind regards,
Martin

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Christchurch Town Hall
​organist Martin Setchell
Buy "Resounding Aftershocks" CD from which Martin chose his programme for the re-opening concerts.  ​Order here.
(To be presented by the Friends of the Christchurch Town Hall Organ Trust)
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Christchurch Town Hall
86 Kilmore Street
Christchurch 8013
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