Organ Teaching

William’s extensive experience as an organist, conductor, accompanist and teacher enables him to offer individually tailored and comprehensive tuition to his organ pupils to help them attain their goals as organists, regardless of age or level.

Eligibility: Lessons are open to all ages and ability levels.

Location: William is now teaching in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk and London as well as online. If you are interested in taking lessons please use the contact page to enquire.

Content: William’s teaching is tailored to each individual pupil and encompasses all technical and musical aspects of playing the organ. The lessons include training in technique, keyboard skills (e.g. sight-reading, transposition), graded tuition in registration and organ management, guidance in accompanying church services and preparation for all aspects of graded and RCO examinations. He is able to teach the entire repertoire with historically aware interpretation and to provide detailed advice about practice methods and performance techniques for increasing confidence.

William also offers training in conducting and choral direction, either as part of, or independently from, organ tuition. This training proves particularly helpful to young organists who are considering applying for organ scholarships.

Cost: The standard rate for tuition is £40 per hour in Suffolk. Please contact William for London rate.

Learning the organ with Mr Saunders was an extremely beneficial experience. Merely watching him play was enough to be inspired. However, since he is s such a fantastic choirmaster too, I came to understand how one role complemented the other. He instilled in me the importance of regular performance opportunities, and I got into the swing of playing for services as a result. I also benefited from his focus on a careful method of practice, and this was reinforced whenever I saw him play.

Ollie, aged 14

William has been a great inspiration to me both as a teacher and a mentor. He has been instrumental in helping me achieve my goals as an organist and musician, and without the opportunities he provided me and constant guidance I certainly wouldn’t be where I am now. His flawless playing and commanding presence as a choirmaster have given me something to aspire to.

Ben, Oxbridge Organ Scholar

Online Zoom calls are always enjoyable and engaging when William is teaching. His enthusiasm and passion towards music shines through from the get-go during his online tutorials. Due to his past experiences, he has a wealth of knowledge about all aspects of music and will offer invaluable tips and advice on any questions one might have. He has been a true inspiration to me over the last eight years of his teaching. So, if you need some musical help or advice and can deal with his questionable sense of humour, I cannot recommend William enough.

Bradley, Third year music degree student

I have only had William as a teacher for a few months and my ability has already improved immensely. He has broadened my repertoire to encompass many genres and has given me the tools to develop unique interpretations whilst remaining faithful to the most minute details of the score. He promotes and teaches good posture, technique and will aid in preparations for RCO exams. All this is achieved in fun and engaging lessons (even over zoom!) for which he provides written feedback.

Matthew, Cathedral organ scholar

As an organ teacher, William has a superb knowledge of the organ repertoire and provided excellent stylistic and technical advice. It was also a joy to learn from him through his own outstanding performances.

Nicholas, Cathedral organist

I reached out to William having not had a lesson in more years than I care to remember! As a keen amateur, I’d been self-teaching for a few years but my development was plateauing. William’s teaching provided a step change to my approach to the organ. His enthusiasm for the instrument and its repertoire is infectious! He has an incredible ear for detail and makes excellent suggestions on specifics. But he also draws together his observations into higher level thematics that are transferable across a variety of repertoire. Rather than taking apart my technique, his suggestions focus on the interventions that will have the maximum impact on my playing. He’s generously offered suggestions for broadening my repertoire and provides comprehensive notes that will be a useful resource to return to again and again!

John, adult advanced pupil

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