A Guide for Visiting Groups Wishing to Use the Organ or Piano at Wesley

Wesley Methodist Church is frequently hired for concerts by local ensembles. The Hall contains an upright piano and makes a good rehearsal / informal performance space. The Church contains a small pipe organ and mini-grand piano. If you wish to enquire about hiring the church please click here to contact us for more details. 

The following guidelines are intended to answer questions which groups have occasionally asked about using the piano and organ. If you have any further questions, you are advised to contact the Organist or a Steward before hiring the church. I hope you enjoy using our church for your performance.

* The organ and piano are not in tune with each other and cannot be played together (there is a difference in pitch of about half a semitone).

Because of the age and design of the instruments no altering of their pitch can be allowed beyond routine fine tuning adjustments.

* The instruments are tuned twice per annum, which is considered adequate for the needs of the church and for general accompaniment purposes. Groups wishing to have the instruments tuned in between these regular visits must do so at their own expense, but they are advised to check themselves whether they actually need the instruments tuning - different groups have very different requirements and expectations. The Organist should be approached for an initial demonstration of the instruments.

* Both the organ and piano tuners have a busy schedule. In order to guarantee a tuning visit, they will require a minimum period of notice. Emergency tuning visits may also be charged at a higher rate.

* The piano or organ console must not be moved without the organist or an authorized member of the church present.  You are advised to confirm before hiring the church whether it is possible to move the instruments to your required concert layout position.

* Under the church's current procedures, the organist is responsible for the piano and organ. As a formality and courtesy, the Church Organist's permission to use the instruments should be sought and granted before an undertaking is made to hire the church. Permission will not normally be denied. The settings of the organ pistons should not be altered in any way without permission of the Organist.

* Application to use the church for rehearsals should be made to the Church Stewards not to the Organist. The Stewards have an overview of the use of the whole premises and will be aware of conflicting bookings.