Celebrations

Thomas Harrison started his business in Rochdale at the age of 22 in 1861 and moved to Durham in 1872.
An old paper mill was purchased and subsequently enlarged to form the workshop in which the business was carried on
until the firm commissioned its present building in 1996.

We are celebrating our Anniversary from mid-2011 into 2012 in a variety of ways:

New Music

It is our wish to add to the contemporary literature for the organ and to support performers and composers. Accordingly, H&H will be commissioning a new work for organ in the early autumn as part of our celebrations, and it is expected that this piece will be available early in 2012.

We are running a composition competition with the title Fantasia 150 based on Psalm 150. The closing date is the 16th of December. Click here for details

Celebratory CD

H&H have built many internationally renowned organs. The H&H CD, which will be released early in 2012, will feature a number of distinguished organists performing on a variety of H&H instruments, representing the classic English Cathedral organ, church and concert organs, tracker organs and house organs.

Exhibition

Harrison & Harrison are grateful to the Chapter of Durham Cathedral for permission to hold an exhibition in the Galilee Chapel to celebrate the firm's 150th Anniversary. The exhibition will run from 6th to 20th October and will include opportunities to meet members of the H&H team. It will also include two working models, showing tracker and electro-pneumatic actions, which the firm will make available to churches and other institutions which are involved in fund-raising activities for the organ.

Below are some photos of the exhibition.

Organ Recital by James Lancelot on 12th October 2011

Photograph by CRA Davies

The 150th Anniversary organ recital by James Lancelot, held at Durham Cathedral was a great success.

The Team

Our celebrations began in June with a riverside party for present and retired staff and their families. The event was much enjoyed, with almost 200 people attending.

Workshop Tours

Tours of our workshop in Durham may be arranged by appointment for small groups. We are fully booked until early 2012.

New website

Our new website will be operational soon. Additional features will include links to the many cathedrals and churches with H&H organs which have organ recital series; monthly staff profiles; and regular news about work in progress.