Introduction to the MUSOC -
The Melbourne University Series of Organ Concerts
As the University of Melbourne has more pipe organs than any other Australasian university, the MUSOC began in 2014 to showcase the next generation of Australian organists performing free Organ Concerts on these valuable cultural assets.
The MUSOC is held weekly on Sunday afternoons during the University Semester at 4.30 pm in The Chapel of Trinity College, University of Melbourne.
After the concert, the audience is warmly invited to stay for the service of Choral Evensong in the Chapel which commences at 5 pm and features The Choir of Trinity College, renowned as Australia’s finest Collegiate Choir.
In accord with ANZCO’s mission, by promoting organ performance, teaching and learning, the MUSOC helps to build the profile of the King of Instruments and develop a sustainable pipe organ culture in Australasia.
The MUSOC is presented by the Australian and New Zealand College of Organists with generous support from Trinity College, University of Melbourne.
Concert dates in 2024
SUNDAYS DURING SEMESTER AT 4.30 PM
SEMESTER ONE
March: 3, 10, 17. April: 14, 21, 28. May: 5, 12, 19, 26.
SEMESTER TWO
July: 28. August: 4, 11, 18, 25. September: 1, 8, 15. October: 6, 13.
Would you like to perform in the MUSOC?
Venue
The Chapel of Trinity College • The University of Melbourne • 100 Royal Parade • Parkville • Victoria
The Trinity College Organ – The University of Melbourne
About the organ
The new organ in the Trinity College Chapel at the University of Melbourne is the most significant four-manual pipe organ built by an Australian organ builder in recent memory.
Celebrating 100 years since the first pipe organ for Trinity College and the University of Melbourne was built in 1923, the instrument was rebuilt to celebrate 150 years of Trinity College.
Although the new instrument incorporates the finest pipework from the 100-year history of the four previous Trinity College Organs, the opportunity has also been taken to include outstanding historic pipework sourced both internationally and locally, including 1912 pipework from the acclaimed British firm of T.C. Lewis as well as some rare 1853 pipework from one of Melbourne’s earliest pipe organs: beautiful organ pipes first heard in the very year Melbourne University was opened. New ranks of pipes have also been handcrafted especially in the United States, including a newly-commissioned stop especially designed for the Trinity Organ: the Tuba Trinitatis.
Divided in matching organ cases on either side of the screen, allowing the Trinity Chapel to be once again flooded with natural light and acoustic resonance, the organ boasts 61 speaking stops, over 2,300 organ pipes of varying shapes and sizes, three enclosed divisions and a wealth of tone colour.
The new organ at Trinity is both fully capable of accompanying the acclaimed Trinity College Choir as well as standing in its own right as a versatile and engaging instrument used for solo concerts and, as befits its position within the University, for teaching and master classes.
The internationally renowned Australian concert organist Thomas Heywood, who also serves as Organist of Trinity College, acted as Consultant for the project in consultation with Christopher Watson: the Director of Music of Trinity College, and Daniel Bittner: the Director of Australian Pipe Organs, the firm chosen to undertake the work. The new organ was formally opened in a solo concert performed by Thomas Heywood on Saturday 20 May 2023.
Given its location in a landmark building within a globally recognised institution of higher learning, it is hoped that the new instrument will, as the Melbourne University motto itself proclaims, grow in the esteem of future generations and assume its place among the finest and most versatile pipe organs in Australia, serving as a world-class teaching, solo and accompanimental instrument for generations to come.
Information for performers
Doors open to the public at 4.25 pm. Concert commences at 4.30 pm and concludes before Choral Evensong at 5 pm.
Performers in the MUSOC gain invaluable performance experience and exposure as solo artists in concert at the University of Melbourne. Admission is free.
Performance attire
All-black concert dress, or full formal school uniform for secondary school students.
Concert dates and other information
Every Sunday during University Semester as listed above.
Concerts can be shared between performers. For example, two organists could share half a concert each, or feature the organ as an accompanimental instrument with a vocalist, choir, trumpeter or other instrumentalist.
Concert presentation
The concerts have a total platform time of 25 minutes. As the MUSOC is utilising pipe organs as cultural assets for the benefit of the broader community, and to achieve consistent presentation throughout the series, performers are asked to provide brief spoken introductions to their repertoire. This would usually occur at the start of the concert. A representative from the College of Organists or the University of Melbourne will also speak briefly at the start and conclusion of the concert.
Concert program
The chosen program should contain no more than 20 minutes total music time.
Performers are asked to submit their programs, in performance order, with:
• full names and dates for composers and transcribers
• complete titles and movements with opus numbers or equivalent
• performance timings
Here is an example of the program format:
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), transcribed by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Concerto in A minor, Op. 3 No. 8 [Concerto No. 2, BWV 593] (9 mins)
i. [without tempo indication]
ii. Adagio
iii. Allegro
Performers are also asked to submit a brief, 30-word, biography for inclusion in the printed program.
Would you like further information about the MUSOC?
Please contact the ANZCO President and Australian National Director: Thomas Heywood,
or the ANZCO Director of Development: Christopher Cook
Past MUSOC Programs can be found below in PDF format.
2018 MUSOC Programs
2017 MUSOC Programs
2016 MUSOC Programs
2015 MUSOC Programs
2014 MUSOC Programs