The organ, situated at the East end of the South aisle was originally a single-manual and pedal instrument built between approximately 1880 and 1920 by Nicholson and Lord of Walsall, whose business through family connections was later absorbed into the organ builders Nicholson of Worcester, who to this day are one of Britain’s leading organ-builders.The organ was originally placed near the South door and was moved to its present position during the 1950’s probably when the upper, second manual was added.In 1992 the instrument was refurbished and further extended to its current specification including the full-length Conacher trumpet by Kenneth Breedon of Bletchley.
THE ORGANIST
The current organist, Nigel Steele graduated with an Honours Degree in Music in l975, and has been making joyful noise unto the Lord from either choir stalls or organ bench for over forty years.
Nigel has been associated with the music at Houghton Regis since 1987, and formally took up his appointment as Organist in January l999.Over the years Nigel has enriched the choir’s repertoire with several anthems and other liturgical pieces together with some Christmas carol arrangements, which are regularly performed as part of our worship.
In 1998 Nigel was involved with the preparation of a critically acclaimed performing edition of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ newly edited by Clifford Bartlett and published by Oxford University Press.
