Back to search results »

Back to search page »

Hill, Norman & Beard Pipe Organ

Other Name The Memorial Hall Organ Location Scotch College, Morrison Street,, HAWTHORN VIC 3122 - Property No B7223 File Number B7223 Level National

[1/1] B7223 Hill Norman Beard Pipe

Statement of Significance

What is significant? The pipework, windchests, wind system and mechanisms of the pipe organ built in 1929-30 by William Hill & Son and Norman & Beard Ltd of London & Melbourne for the Presbyterian Assembly Hall (Scots Church), Margaret Street, Sydney, restored and installed at Scotch College in 2003-2004.
How is it significant? The organ is significant for historic and aesthetic reasons at a national level
Why is it significant? The pipe organ at the Memorial Hall, Scotch College, Hawthorn is significant for the following reasons:
. It retains its original tonal scheme of 1930
. It is only one of two major examples of its builder's work in Australia that has not been altered in character and is nationally significant as a large English organ of the period that has not been compromised by tonal changes
. With the loss of the contemporaneous HN&B organ at Melbourne Town Hall (removal of original chests, alteration of layout and incorporation of many additional ranks of pipework), it is now the most significant example of its builder's work in Victoria
. No additions to the initial tonal scheme have been made
. It is a major example of a romantic organ of the period with a wide tonal range
. It shows lavish use of materials and a high level of craftsmanship in its construction
. It incorporates unusual examples of pipe construction, particularly the Corno Dolce, Zauber Flute, flared Clarinet, tapered Harmonic Flute and Dulciana Mixture.
. It includes open wooden flue pipes of 32ft pitch, the only examples in an Australian school and only to be found in two other organs in Victoria (Melbourne Town Hall and Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo): the Scotch examples moreover are visible
. It is the largest organ installed in any Australian school
. It is tonally of outstanding quality and speaks into a resonant acoustic
Classified: 18/05/2004