Mervyn Hogg – organ

The Programme

Mervyn Hogg – organ

from Racine’s ‘Athalie’
War March of the Priests

Rhapsody in C# minor, Op 17 No 3

Benedictus, Op 59 No 9

‘When I survey the wondrous cross’ (Rockingham)

Poem of Peace

Aalaiki’ssalaam (Peace be with you)

The Artist

This year is the 60th anniversary of when Mervyn Hogg began to study the organ in Enfield, with Leslie Gillett (Rialto Cinema) and Eric Pask (Enfield Parish Church). At Latymer School, Edmonton he played for the daily assembly. He went to University at Exeter, reading Physics and Mathematics. There he became organist and choirmaster in the university chapel studying organ with Christopher Gower and Paul Morgan and singing with Reginald Moore and Prof Arthur Hutchings. From Exeter he moved to Cardiff, working on Anaesthetic projects concerned with Pain Management and pharmacology.

His music studies continued with Robert Joyce at Llandaff and he was an organist at St German’s, Roath – a church with a notable Hill organ then often used for broadcast recitals.

From Cardiff he moved to London In 1977 and a new role as Medical Statistician in Glaxo R&D. Over many years this role expanded to embrace revolutions in Information Technology, Strategy and Business Management.

In 1978 he was appointed Organist and Choirmaster in St Martin’s Ruislip where he was able to build a good choir and the opportunity to sing evensongs at various Cathedrals. He was a pupil of Simon Williams and also enjoyed various masterclasses with Peter Hurford, Naji Hakim and Marie-Louise Langlais. This continued for 20 years and was followed by an assortment of roles: a fund-raising director of the St Alban’s IOF, examiner for RSCM awards, organiser of the St Paul’s Diocesan Choir, exploring the history of music in Westminster Cathedral as an MA project and giving occasional lunchtime recitals in London.

After Glaxo/GSK he managed the British Society of Rheumatology’s national register programme. With their offices in St Bride’s Lane this led to a long enjoyed link with this Church.It is always a joy to play here with its large comprehensive organ hidden in the west gallery chambers and warm accoustic. I would like to thank the Rector, Musicians and Churchwardens for these opportunities.