It was the fourth century Saint, Augustine who said that 'He who sings prays twice’.

His words are a rather neat recognition of the importance that music has played in Christian worship.

For almost two centuries the Parish church’s worship here in Barnard Castle was enriched and supported through the presence of a pipe organ. In the late 18th century smaller organs were initially placed in the old west gallery of the church but later moved to the south transept - to the annoyance of those whose pews they displaced!

The much larger existing organ that replaced these was given a purpose-built ‘organ chamber’ to the north of the chancel (now St. Margaret’s Chapel) but moved to its current ‘temporary site when dry rot threatened the instrument in 1957.

Over the last 40 years the instrument has played at countless Sunday services, accompanied many concerts, heralded the arrival of numerous brides and softened the grief of those who gather to mourn a loved one.

After many months or should that be years, the arrival of the new organ is imminent. This is an exciting time, tinged with sadness at the passing of the old organ which has given sterling service for over a hundred years with very little work having been carried out during that period.

The new organ built by Copeman Hart & Co Ltd is a three manual and pedal digital instrument with an English/French voicing facility. This Northamptonshire firm have a reputation in the organ world for building excellent instruments.

It will be a versatile instrument producing sounds ranging from pianissimo to fortissimo, as well as providing an opportunity for the organist to explore a wide range of repertoire using authentic registration according to the style, period and country of origin in which the music was composed. Such versatility will also enhance the registration of the Psalms which will allow scope for imaginative interpretation of the text.

There will be a choice of Trumpet stops one sounding like the modern instrument and the other a straight one reminiscent of the type used in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Tuba a rather grand stop will be reserved for those pieces which specify a solo tuba and the other 'noisy boys' like the Ophicleide will be used sparingly! Of the quieter reeds, to have an oboe, orchestral oboe and a clarinet will be a luxury. The oboe on the present instrument has not been in use since before 1981!

Stops such as the Twelfth, Seventeenth, Larigot and Tierce are usually used in combination with other stops either to solo out a melody or create a special effect.

The tone of the other stops which are common to most organs, and which people will recognise include those of the diapason, principal, fifteenth and mixture, the flute family and the strings.

An additional feature of the instrument is the harpsichord stop which will provide an opportunity to accompany both vocal and instrumental music of the Baroque Period.

An adjustable seat will be most useful to all who play the instrument and will prevent the organist suffering any injury from the bench often being the wrong height.

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