Kilmood Parish Church to host renowed organist

Kilmood Parish Church to host renowed organist

11 May 2022

KILMOOD Parish Church, near Killinchy, is to play host to the opening concert of a new tour by renowned organist Orly Watson this Friday evening. 

The recital begins at 7.30pm event and forms part of the bicentenary celebrations of the present church.

Orly, from Craigavon, Co Armagh, is organist and director of music at Dromore Cathedral and official accompanist at Queen’s University Belfast where he is also a doctoral researcher.

A former chorister of Armagh Cathedral and a graduate of Oxford University and the Royal Academy of Music, he is regarded as one of the outstanding new talents in Northern Ireland’s musical scene.

He is considered to be a notable composer, pianist, organist, operatic répétiteur and accompanist of considerable distinction.

A member of the Ulster Society of Organists and Choirmasters, Orly received his training under the tutelage of the late Theo Saunders and Baron George Minne, cathedral organists in Armagh.

Introducing his new tour, he said: “I am very pleased to begin this, my second organ recital tour around a variety of cathedrals and churches throughout the country.

“Over the course of the series, I will be featuring a wide range of instruments from small parish organs to some of the greatest instruments in the land.

“It is always interesting to explore these organs, which are more often than not heard accompanying congregational hymns, in the context of a full programme of concert works.”

He said he had chosen programmes which were suited to each of the different instruments, which he believes will interest both the causal and the specialist listener.

‘And I hope to shed light on some striking, little-known works,” he added.

Admission is free with a retiring collection taking place.