Archives

The SIOC Archives consist of over one hundred and twenty years of material related to organ building activity in New Zealand.

SIOC archive holds the company letters and drawings from the Hill Norman & Beard Christchurch branch (1928 – 1953), a facsimile of the Auckland organ builder George Croft’s letter books 1899 – 1926, and the workshop books of the Christchurch organ builder James Strachan (1955 – 1973).

The Archives holds a wide range of New Zealand, Australian, British and American organ journals, and a library of pipe organ related publications.

It also holds a wide range of ephemera, photographs, scrapbooks, concert programmes, LPs and cassettes donated from various private collections and estates.

Archives


Archive Access
Research at the archives is available by appointment. This is to ensure that the Archivist can prepare the required materials ahead of your visit and be of help to you on the day.
Written or e-mail enquiries are also welcome.

Charges
While there is no set fee, for a large enquiry a charge may be requested (at the discretion of the Company).

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Gallery

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

 

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