Each year the Organ Historical Trust of Australia organises a conference lasting about a week in one of the states of Australia. Conferences have also been held on both islands of New Zealand. These conferences bring organists and those interested in the instrument together from all over Australia, as well as New Zealand, the UK, the USA, Asia and Europe. Often, an international authority on the history and restoration of historic organs attends as a key-note speaker. Past guests have included Uwe Pape (Germany), Barbara Owen (USA) and Stephen Bicknell (UK). Opportunities are provided for recitals on historic and instruments. Members often have time to play and inspect the instruments for themselves and papers on the preservation of organs and other relevant topics are presented and later published in OHTA News.
Upcoming conferences
- 2025 – Southern NSW
- 2026 – New Zealand
- 2027 – South Australia
- 2028 – Western Australia
OHTA 44th ANNUAL CONFERENCE OCTOBER 2024 – QUEENSLAND
Online booking via Trybooking
Welcome to OHTA’s fourth Queensland Conference. Explore the enormous change and growth in pipe organs over the last decade.
Monday 30 September: Brisbane City: Stroll around the CBD, visiting St John’s Cathedral, St Andrew’s Lutheran, and Brisbane City Hall. The day will finish with an opportunity to have drinks and dinner at one of many fine options in Southbank or the City!
Tuesday 1 October: Red Hill – Rosalie – Ashgrove – Brisbane: Explore the ‘burbs, visiting St Brigid’s, Sacred Heart and Marist Brothers College. Sample one of Paddington’s delectable eateries before heading to see the three organs in the St Stephen’s Cathedral precinct.
Wednesday 2 October: Woolloongabba – East Brisbane – Morningside – Hamilton – Kelvin Grove: Soak in the sounds of Nazareth Lutheran, St Paul’s Anglican, “Churchie” Anglican College, Morningside Uniting and St Augustine’s, Hamilton. Finish with a BBQ at Kelvin Grove State College serenaded by the Christie theatre organ.
Thursday 3 October: Ipswich – Gatton – Toowoomba: Head out west for a recital at St Paul’s, Ipswich. Tour the museum at the Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre, before visiting Peace Lutheran Church, Gatton, and arriving in Toowoomba for our sumptuous conference dinner at Encores, next to the landmark Empire Theatre.
Friday 4 October: Toowoomba – Ipswich – Brisbane: Enjoy our final recital at St Luke’s and a look around St Patrick’s Cathedral before a delicious lunch at the historic Woodlands of Marburg. A concluding demonstration at St Mary’s, Ipswich, sees us back at Brisbane Airport around 4:30pm.
Full Conference attendance, as well as Day Options (coach travel optional), are available.
TRAVEL
Participants must arrange their own travel to and from Brisbane.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in Brisbane and Toowoomba is not included in the Conference Fee.
Brisbane accommodation is available with a Conference discount through Oaks Apartments. To secure your room please visit the website and then select your preferred Oaks location. Eg. “Oaks Brisbane Casino Suites”. Choose dates between Sunday 29 September to Thursday 3 October, enter the Booking Code “OUREVENT”, choose your room type & rates, and follow the prompts to book.
Toowoomba accommodation can be booked for the night of Thursday 3 October by visiting either www.eastgate.com.au, www.twmbamotelevents.com.au or www.coachman-motel.com which are all near each other, allowing coach access to take participants to the various destinations.
REFUNDS
A full refund will be offered to anyone withdrawing from the event, provided notice is provided by email (see below) before 14 September 2024.
DATES
Monday 30 September – Friday 4 October 2024
LOCATIONS
Brisbane, Ipswitch, Gatton and Toowoomba, QUEENSLAND
CONTACT
For more information, contact Dominic Perissinotto by email at [email protected] or by clicking on the link below and typing in your message.