(This post has already featured in an Organists’ newsletter)

Local societies organise recitals, trips, talks and discussions for organists of all denominations.  It is a way of meeting other organists in your area, getting a chance to try out different organs, and learning about other liturgies.  Quite apart from its social and educational value, society membership can be very useful if you need a deputy, or want to borrow a piece of music at short notice for a funeral!

Societies in the Archdiocesan area are:

Edinburgh Society of Organists

Borders Guild of Organists and Church Musicians

Stirling and District Society of Organists

Tayside Organists’ Society  (covers Fife)

Glasgow Society of Organists

The others are:

Aberdeen & District Organists’ Association
Inverness Society of Organists
Lanarkshire Society of Organists

More about these societies, with their contact details, is given on the website of The Scottish Federation of Organists.

The Scottish Federation of Organists (SFO)

The Scottish Federation of Organists is the parent group of all the local societies.  Every year the SFO has a two-day conference where organists from all the local societies meet up.  The annual conferences include some superb recitals, and the social side is always great fun.

The SFO has various committees.  For example, the Finance Committee recommends rates for organists’ salaries and fees  The Organ Advice Committee offers free and independent specialist advice on organs, pipe and electronic.

For more information about the SFO, and details of local societies have a look at its website, www.scotsorgan.org.uk.