The Organ

"All great schools have an organ"

The organ was purchased from funds raised from parental contributions of one pound per family each year at the start of the summer term. It is also suggested that a significant amount of the school fund and the chapel fund also helped the purchase. The organ was installed in 1971 after sufficient contributions had been made to place the deposit.

Dedication of the Organ in the Assembly Hall
by Very Rev Martin Kehoe - Friday 2nd April 1971

Following the installation of the organ, the organ was not only used in daily assembly but also in regular evening organ recitals and for instrumental tuition. Although located in the assembly hall, the chapel could be opened into the hall, hence the organ was also used during mass for the whole school.

• Before the school was demolished in 1988, the organ was reassembled at the works of Rushworth & Dreaper of Liverpool before installation in St Margaret's Church, Woolston, Coventry.
• It was removed from this church to the Chapel of HM Prison Service, Newbold Revel, Rugby on 10 April 1995.
• It has since been confirmed to be located at Chapel of HM Prison Service, Newbold Revel

The Sound

The Organ of St Augustine's Grammar School.
If you have a sound card on your computer, Click here to hear a short extract from the Halleluyah Chorus played by Damian Collins in 1980 (along with St John Plessington Chapel Choir).
This is a 200k wav file which may take a moment or two to load. Playback may be jerky on first run only.

"Very little tops Spike playing something akin to 'I do like to be beside the sea side' on the organ."