Organ Historical Trust of Australia - OHTA

The Organ Historical Trust of Australia offers its strong support for the aims and objectives of the Australian Guild of Master Organ Builders. The Guild brings together many of the leading firms of professionally trained organbuilders from throughout the country through a rigorous process of accreditation. Its objectives to raise the quality of the craft, enhance the expertise of its members and promote the industry are admirable, achieving this through the sharing of ideas and problems, meeting together on a regular basis, and examining significant examples of organbuilding from the past and present.

Members of the Guild have been trained as organbuilders through apprenticeship and guided work experience. The craft is one that demands a high level of skill and initial supervision and members are able to offer this to young staff. Ongoing education is a critical issue also for the staff of any organbuilding firm, with the constant development of techniques and materials. Methods and principles of conservation continue to be enhanced through ongoing dialogue.

Among the work of Guild members is an impressive corpus of work that includes new and restored pipe organs, as well as rebuilds of organs that are not historically significant. Clients seeking to carry out such work should actively seek out examples of successful projects and to examine the long-term guarantees offered by Guild members - these are key issues when selecting an organbuilder. The capacity to carry out an effective maintenance service is of high importance too, and Guild members can provide evidence of their credentials in this regard.

The Organ Historical Trust of Australia has been pleased to work with Guild members in the successful restoration of many significant organs. The Trust has also developed the Australian Pipe Organ Preservation Standards in association with the Heritage Council of New South Wales; these principles have usefully guided many of these projects. OHTA has also worked with funding bodies to offer financial support for conservation work and this has directly benefited Guild members' work and overall expertise.

The Trust is pleased to commend the work of the Guild and its members to prospective clients.


John Maidment OAM
Chairman

Links

Organ Historical Trust of Australia

OHTA Pipe Organ Preservation Standards