He writes:

I studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, where I completed my BMus (Hons), and I hold the ARCO diploma, for which I was awarded the Doris Wookey Prize. My principal teachers have included Anne Marsden Thomas, Gerard Brooks, James Johnstone, and the late Jacques van Oortmerssen, alongside further study with a wide range of performers and scholars. Following my studies, I was Organ Scholar at Westminster Cathedral under Martin Baker and Robert Quinney and also held appointments at The Royal Hospital, Chelsea, alongside extensive work as an accompanist, conductor, and continuo player in the UK and abroad.

I have long-standing professional links with Oxford. From 2003 to 2022, I worked at St Edward’s School, Oxford as School Organist and Teacher of Music, with responsibilities including organ and piano playing, choral and orchestral accompaniment, conducting,

and teaching across all levels. More recently, I have been Director of Music at Our Lady’s Abingdon (2023–2025), leading the department, teaching academic music, and directing choirs and instrumental ensembles. In parallel, I have been an RCO-Accredited Organ Teacher since 2012, teaching a wide range of pupils and preparing candidates for practical

examinations.

What I offer

I am very conscious of the musical, liturgical, and time-pressured demands placed on Organ Scholars, and my teaching is shaped specifically to support college chapel work, service playing, and efficient repertoire preparation. Lessons can be arranged flexibly:

• I am very happy to travel to Oxford to teach you on the instrument you use most

regularly, whether in your College Chapel or an equivalent setting.

• Alternatively, lessons can take place at my home in Lambourn, where I have access to several historical instruments via a four-manual Hauptwerk system.

In lessons, I can offer support in areas including:

• Repertoire (early to contemporary): stylistic approaches, learning and practice

strategies, registration and organ management, accuracy, and interpretation

informed by current historical scholarship

• Manual and pedal technique: modern and historical approaches, including posture and breathing

• Anglican and Roman Catholic liturgical accompaniment: hymns, psalms, Masses,

Morning and Evening Services; introduction to plainchant conducting and

accompaniment

• Improvisation and adapting repertoire to the liturgical year and specific services

• Skills: Sight-reading, transposition, and score-reading

• Continuo / figured bass

• Preparation for practical RCO examinations and similar qualifications

• Choral conducting and score preparation, particularly in a chapel context

My current fees are as follows:

1-hour lesson in your College Chapel: £75 (inclusive of travel and parking)

1½-hour lesson in your College Chapel: £100 (inclusive of travel and parking)

1-hour lesson at my home in Lambourn: £60

1½-hour lesson at my home: £90

You would be very welcome to book an initial consultation lesson on this basis before committing to further tuition. Lessons can be arranged weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or as

needed.

If this is something that you might find helpful, do not hesitate to get in touch, see my details below. I would be very happy to have an informal conversation.

With best wishes for the term,

Gabriele Damiani

BMus (Hons) GSMD, ARCO, QTS

RCO-Accredited Organ Teacher

✉️ gabrieledamiani@hotmail.com

📞 07581 566862

STREAM ORGAN DOCUMENTARIES FOR FREE

Thanks to a cooperation between the Bodleian Libraries and the Betts Centre for Organ Studies, free access to ORGAN CINEMA, an extraordinary streaming service for organ-related documentaries, is now available to all members of Oxford University free of charge.

Click HERE to access Organ Cinema through SOLO.

Fugue State Films, a world-leading producer of films about the pipe organ’s history and music, and the Royal College of Organists have joined forces to create a site in which the history and repertoire of the organ is explored in innovative and informative films of the highest quality.

Organ Cinema currently contains eighteen multi-hour film projects on topics ranging from 17th-century Dutch organ masterpieces to the oeuvre of composers such as Franck, Widor or Reger. Additional films will be added shortly.

Caution: watching can become “addictive” 😉

https://www.pipedreams.org/episodes

Discover the

PIPEDREAMS RADIO SHOW

online

Celebrating more than forty years on the air, Pipedreams is the only weekly radio program that explores the full range of the art and potential of the pipe organ.

Over 1,000 episodes of Pipedreams can be explored online and for free!

The Pipedreams directory is fully searchable for composers, organs and performers.

A unique resource and must-listen for organists!

Click here for organ scholarships:

https://www.rscm.org.uk/our-resources/guidance-information/organ-scholarships/

Click here for choral scholarships:

https://www.rscm.org.uk/our-resources/guidance-information/choral-scholarships/

The ODOA provides an informal framework in which all those interested in organs can meet to enjoy various aspects of the instrument, through visits, workshops, study tours at home and abroad, lectures and social activities.

Click below to join

https://sites.google.com/site/oxfordorganists/membership

The Wellingham Library in Jesus College Chapel houses organ music and organ-historical publications with a particular focus on scholarly editions of music from the eighteenth century and before. The library was created with funds donated in tribute to John Wellingham, who for many years taught and inspired organ scholars at Oxford University. In recognition of John Wellingham’s influential teaching, several volumes have been donated by his great friend and colleague, Christopher Hogwood.

The full contents of the library are listed HERE and can also be found on SOLO. Further information about the Wellingham Library can be obtained from the Curator, Dr Alex Flood, from the College Librarian at Jesus College and from the Betts Scholar.

Access to the Wellingham Library is available to all of Oxford’s organ scholars, college organists, organ teachers and chapel directors of music. All those eligible this year should already have been notified through email. In case you have not received any such communication but would like to use the library, get in touch with the Betts Scholar.

The library may be accessed whenever the chapel is available. However, to avoid disappointment, it is recommended to make prior arrangements with the chaplain of Jesus College, the Rev’d Philip Harbridge.

A seizable collection of organ music can be found on open shelves; a digital piano with headphones is also available.

Library opening hours: Mon - Fri, 9 am - 8 pm

The library is accessible to all BodCard holders

with additional opening hours for Humanities students and staff.

Enquiries can be sent to: humlib@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

Reading room opening hours:

Mon - Fri, 9 am - 7 pm

Saturdays: 10 am - 4 pm

Enquiries can be sent to the Alfred Brendel Curator of Music, Martin Holmes.

The library holds a considerable collection of loanable sheet music, including organ music with a specific focus on anthologies for special occasions, such as weddings and funerals.

Library opening hours:

Mon - Thu, 9 am - 8 pm

Fridays and Saturdays: 9 am - 5.30 pm

Further information and a contact page can be found HERE.

If you have a specific date or event you would like to recommend for such a visit, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Also, feel free to ask for an individual meeting, send me an email or text me on WhatsApp anytime! 😊

michael.koenig@music.ox.ac.uk

Why Conducting Matters for Organ Scholars

Conducting is a central aspect of an Organ Scholar’s role, yet is often the area in which Scholars feel least confident. Organ Scholars are required to rehearse and conduct choirs under time pressure to deliver high-quality musical results. Hannah’s lessons focus on developing both confidence and clarity in front of a choir, through a firm grounding in conducting technique, exploration of a wide range of repertoire, and practical training in rehearsal management and leadership.

About Hannah Zaki

An increasingly sought-after conductor, Hannah graduated with distinction from the Royal Academy of Music’s MA Choral Conducting course in 2022 and has wide-ranging experience directing chapel choirs, professional consorts, and large choruses with orchestra. In addition to her role at Wadham College, she is Co-Founder and Musical Director of Antiphon Chamber Choir, Musical Director of Wantage Choral Society and Glass Ensemble, and works regularly with a variety of ensembles across the Thames Valley region.

Conducting Lessons: Approach + Content

Hannah is an experienced conducting teacher and offers both one-to-one and group lessons, suitable for beginners as well as more experienced conductors. She currently teaches several Organ Scholars and other conducting students across the university, and has led numerous conducting workshops as part of the Betts Organ Scholar Orientation Weekend.

As a former Organ Scholar at Hertford College, Hannah has a keen understanding of the musical, practical, and time-based demands of the role, and carefully tailors lessons to each student’s individual needs. Lessons may include:

• Foundational conducting technique

• Advanced conducting technique

• Aspects of choral training

• Specific skills such as psalm conducting

• Musical interpretation

• Rehearsal planning and choral management

• Rehearsal observation and feedback with your own chapel choir

• Preparation for upcoming exams or other classes

Lessons are charged at £60 per hour and can take place at Wadham College or in the student’s home College.

Get in Touch

Prospective students are warmly encouraged to get in touch, whether they are incoming Organ Scholars or further along in their role. To discuss lessons, please contact hannah.zaki@wadham.ox.ac.uk

on YouTube

Thanks to our friends at the Royal School of Church Music, three new video tutorials for aspiring composers have just been made available for you.

Click HERE for the playlist

The topics covered are:

• Top tips in Harmony

  with Alexander L’Estrange

  
  

• Top tips in Melody

  with Joanna Forbes L’Estrange

  
  

• Top tips in arrangement

  with Stephen Bullamore

Enjoy watching and happy composing!

During term time, there are no fewer than nine (!) regular organ recital series happening in Oxford. This is a phenomenal opportunity to hear excellent performers play and get to know interesting organ repertoire.

Recitals at the following colleges are listed on organrecitals.uk

• The Queen's College

• New College

• Keble College

• Magdalen College

• Exeter College

In addition, organ recitals and other concerts at Pusey House are listed HERE.

A flyer with the organ recitals at Lincoln College can be found HERE.

Llunchtime organ recitals are held at Brasenose College on Thursdays in even weeks between 12.30 and 1.00pm:

Thursday 7^th May                 Marcus McDevitt  

Thursday 21^st May               Ophelia Amar  

Thursday 4^th June               Arthur Barton  

Thursday 18^th June             Alex Flood

Lunchtime recitals are also held at Balliol College on Fridays in even weeks at 1.15pm:

Friday 8^th May                 Ben Bloor

Friday 22^nd May             Jinzi Feng-Huang

Friday 5^th June               Sea-am Thompson

Friday 19^th June              Angela Ede

for organ scholars from

Lincolnshire or Nottinghamshire

The objective of the Martin Pickering Fund, administered by the Ouseley Church Music Trust, is to give grants to individuals born or brought up in Lincolnshire or Nottinghamshire for the following purposes, including the support of organ scholars:

• To encourage young people who have shown vocal potential to become choristers in parish churches, cathedrals or choral foundations in England, Wales, or Ireland. 

• To enable young people (aged under 22) to become choral or organ scholars, or lay clerks, in a parish church, cathedral or choral foundation; and

• To defray the costs of courses or training for young people (aged under 22) who are choristers, choral scholars, or organ scholars.

Full details and an application form can be accessed below:

www.ouseleytrust.org.uk

Competition & Festival

Edinburgh / Online

Talented organists up to the age of 21 from around the world are invited to apply for the Helen Hopekirk International Piano & Organ Competition, held in Edinburgh and online.

ONLINE

Application Deadline: 25 August 2026

Entry Fee: £20

Each contestant performs at least two pieces, appropriate to their age and level within the time limit specified for their category.

More information can be found below:

https://www.helenhopekirkcompetition.co.uk/main

Full repertoire requirements are outlined on the Repertoire page.

A few years ago, some Oxford organ scholars created a group chat on FB Messenger called ORGAN SCHOLAR CRISES.

Most of its members have now finished their degrees and left the University, and currently, the chat is mainly used to advertise available gigs, particularly in the London area.

If interested, find ORGAN SCHOLAR CRISES on Facebook Messenger and request to join

GRADUATION CEREMONIES

It is customary that organ scholars play for all Oxford graduation ceremonies.

The DATES until spring 2027 have already been released. Usually, there are two or three ceremonies per date (fee per ceremony: £120).

The sign-up document can be found on SHARE POINT.

Every organ scholar is eligible to sign up for two dates per year as long as there are available dates (first come, first served).

The 34th St Albans International Organ Competition and Festival will be from 5 to 17 July 2027. The deadline to apply for the 2027 Competitions will be Midday (1200GMT) on Friday 5 March 2027.

The Interpretation Competition will feature a new commissioned work by Nico Muhly, whose previous works for organ have been acclaimed by players and audiences alike. Set works will also include CPE Bach on the 1735 organ in Christ Church in London’s Spitalfields; and Petr Eben’s Okna for trumpet and organ, marking 20 years since the composer’s death.

The remodelled Tournemire Prize for Improvisation combines different dimensions of improvisational practice: prepared and spontaneous creativity, interaction with historical and contemporary materials, responsiveness to external stimuli and communication with fellow performers. The emphasis lies on artistic personality, imagination and the ability to communicate through music, reflecting the richness and diversity of contemporary organ music.

Click here to find the REPERTOIRE.

at St MICHAEL at the NORTHGATE

from SEPTEMBER 2026

The Church of St Michael at the Northgate in Oxford is seeking an Organist / Organ Scholar from September 2026.

Services are weekly on Sunday mornings with Evensong once a month. Weddings and funerals are paid separately.

Availability required during university term and holiday periods.

Interested candidates should apply by email to the Director of Music, Richard Pantcheff on richardpantcheff@hotmail.com

at CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL

Tuesday, 29 September at 8 p.m.

Join the Betts Fellow in attending the 20th Andrew Chamblin Memorial Recital at Christ Church on Tuesday of -1st Week (or online).

David Halls will play works by Mendelssohn, Elgar, Bach, Dubois and Boëllmann. The concert is free.

It will also be live-streamed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqnyF7naHik

ORGAN TRIALS

This year's Organ Trials will take place on Thursday, 24 and Friday, 25 September (approx. 9am till 1pm and 2pm till 7pm on both days).

We are currently looking for Stewards. Two are needed simultaneously at all times. You can either put yourself forward for all four sessions (morning and afternoon on Thu and Fri, respectively) or for individual sessions.

The pay is £14.06 per hour.

If interested, get in touch with the Betts Fellow, Michael Koenig

at the OXFORD MUSIC FESTIVAL

(late-January or early-February 2027)

Organists aged 25 or under are encouraged to participate in the Oxford Music Festival 2027.

Repertoire TBC by September 2026 (likely 8 minutes, free choice).

The winner receives the Michael Popkin Memorial Award of £60.

Venue: St Andrew’s Church, Headington

Organ: Kenneth Tickell, 2 manuals

Adjudicator: Ralph Allwood

Further information and an application form can be found on the website of the OMF.