Our Blog
Welcome to the page where we share our news, introduce our friends and promote upcoming events which are meaningful to us. You are most welcome to leave a comment here.
We Remember
29 February 2020 has marked the opening of Aldersgate Centre on Durham Street, Christchurch. 9 years on, we…
How Did the Book Launch Go? – GREAT!
On 7 February 2020 “More Than a Pipe Dream”, a book about pipe organ building in New Zealand…
A TASTE of Big Sound of St John
The magnificent Chancel organ of St John’s Gordon has been installed and heard by the Parish.Team SIOC is…
More Than a Pipe Dream
Woohoo! After several years of hard effort from the award-winning author Jill Worrall, many interviews and archival research,…
Heritage Stone Church – St Peter’s Upper Riccarton
The oldest Anglican bluestone church in the city of Christchurch, St Peter’s Upper Riccarton is being extensively restored…
Sacred Heart Catholic Basilica, Timaru
A cleaning and overhaul of the 2 manual 25 rank 1912 Hobday organ has commenced in August 2019,…
St John’s Church, Gordon – Update
11 months into a project, we are pleased to say we are not far away from putting the tools down and to start packing! Factory work of stage 1 is nearing its completion and it is a big milestone. The four-
Sing, Sweet Nightingales
A bus load of beautiful voices from Netherlands turned up at our factory on 5 March 2019. Mostly…
At Violinos
Recently our MD John Hargraves took part in a delightful concert with some other very accomplished musicians! This…
Our Book is Available for Purchase
More than a Pipe Dream
This book pays homage to the highly skilled individuals in the South Island Organ Company who have dedicated so much of their lives to designing, building and restoring pipe organs, highly complex musical instruments as they are. It unveils an impressive amount of detail about this unique company's development, achievements and adventures, including secrets of the instruments construction and the art of restoration, all of which is presented in a highly readable manner so that you will never feel overwhelmed by technical jargon.
This book is the work of multi-award-winning writer Jill Worrall.
$99.99 plus postage & handling fee.
Here are some comments:
- "Thrilled to have the book arrive today. What a gorgeous production it is and how poignant the earthquake stories and images. Thank you and I will enjoy it in greater detail as the days go by". - Tim McWhannell
- "The book has arrived....amidst the busy day, I just had to have a quick flip through. I am absolutely gobsmacked! What a magnificent publication -accolades all round!
You have exceeded! I am wordless, and speechless!
Bravo!" - Roy Tankersley - "The book arrived today! Excellent publication" - Alan Edwards
- To John: "I enjoyed the book...indeed more than a pipe dream, that's for sure. From it I can see you've had a remarkable and interesting career amongst some great talented craftsmen and artisans and have formed a great company in SIOC which you must be proud of. The tragedy of the losses SIOC suffered with the deaths of your men following the earthquakes is so sad and I am sure is a deep loss to you and Val personally. But what an outstanding first 50 years" - Craig Maclean & family
- "My copy has arrived. It is superb!! Many thanks to Val and John, and to all those who had input into its publication" - Robert Cleaver