extracts from the text of CD cover for
“A Musical Treasure” – the Singleton convent Organ.
“Of the few organs to survive in New South Wales from the first half of the 19th century, one of the most interesting remains preserved in the gallery of the chapel at the Convent of Mercy, Singleton.”
                                                                                                            (Graeme Rushworth)

As far as can be ascertained, the Singleton Convent chamber organ is one of the earliest organs to appear in New South Wales.  Although there is no absolute documentary proof of its origins, evidence points strongly to its being one that was probably imported from England in the early 1850’s.  This organ was installed in St Peter’s Anglican Church, Cooks River, by William Jonathan Johnson (1853-1854), owing to the generosity and efforts of Alexander Brodie Spark (1792-1856), the Scottish-born merchant who came to Sydney in 1823 and lived nearby in Tempe House.  The organ had a case
constructed of local timbers in Sydney.  On 22 May 1853 Spark wrote in his diary “Sunday at church.  The first mellow notes of our new organ were heard today in Church”.  In August 1880 this organ was bought by the Anglican Church of Sts Simon and Jude, Campbell St, Surry Hills for £50.  In 1907 a description of the church mentions that it “...has the distinction of containing within its walls the oldest pipe organ in the State…”.  While this claim was probably an exaggeration, the organ has
always been recognised for its historic importance.  In 1923, at the time of the closure of Sts Simon and Jude, the Sisters of Mercy, Singleton, purchased an organ from Elvy & Co. for use in their new Convent Chapel (opened 1925).  It is now widely accepted that the Sisters bought the Surry Hills organ.   The Reverend Mother at the time was Mother Mary Augustine O’Hara, an accomplished organist, who enjoyed playing the instrument for many years.  For the next half a century it had a full life, regularly accompanying the Sisters’ singing at Mass, Benediction and other devotions..  In 1995, with funding assistance from the Heritage Council of NSW, the organ and its case underwent a much-needed restoration and a complete transformation at the hands of Pipe Organs Reconstruction Pty. Ltd.  Since then it has had a new lease of life, featuring also in the weddings and concerts the Sisters host in their exquisite Chapel with its excellent acoustic.  It is a uniquely beautiful instrument, and this programme has been specially selected to showcase its beauty and versatility.

The Organist - Brendon Lukin studied organ with David Rumsey, and Kimberley Marshall at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, graduating as “Student of the Year”, and continued studies with eminent teachers in France and Vienna.  He has held organ positions in Sydney, Chicago and Sweden and has performed as a soloist with major choirs and orchestras including the Sydney Symphony, the Malaysian Philharmonic, the Singapore and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Chorus.  In 2005 he was featured with his wife Catherine and Synergy-Percussion to much acclaim and sold out audiences in the new Esplanade Concert Hall in Singapore.  Brendon has performed organ recitals in most of Australia’s major venues including the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Town Hall (alongside Roger Woodward), and Sydney and Melbourne Universities and throughout Asia, America and Europe.  He has broadcast live and recorded for ABC Classic FM, 2MBS (Sydney), 3MBS (Melbourne) and Radio Sweden.  Brendon is also a highly sought after tuba player and teacher, lecturing for the Universities of Sydney, Melbourne, New South Wales and Newcastle.  With a Churchill Fellowship, he continued studies in Chicago and Germany from 1995-99.  He has held the position of Principal Tuba with the Chicago Civic Orchestra performing with Pierre Boulez, Zubin Mehta, Daniel Barenboim and touring Europe and America with Michael Tilson Thomas.  In 1995 Brendon took First Prize in Arnold Jacobs International Orchestral Audition Competition and Third Prize in the Tubamania International Tuba Competition.  In Australasia he has worked with many regional orchestras as well as participating in two national tours with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.  Brendon is currently organist and tuba player for the Royal Australian Air Force Band and lives with his wife Catherine, also a musician, and their six-year-old son Dominic in Melbourne.

The Music   
”This programme is based on one I prepared for a concert in the Singleton Convent Chapel in April 2006.  In making the final choice of music for this CD I wanted to take the listener to the feeling of a ‘live’ recital, rather than a studio recording.  The music I have chosen has been largely inspired by the ambience and sense of inner peace that is so very evident when playing at the Mercy Convent Chapel.  Many of these works are written for the very smallest of organs – the musical organ clock.  Other pieces come from a variety of religious and national traditions and so give the opportunity to hear the great contrast of tone, colour and style resulting in intimate musical expression that can be afforded from such a beautiful musical treasure in the Hunter Valley.”
                                                                                                                        Brendon Lukin

Recorded in the Singleton Convent Chapel 3rd March 2007