Richard McVeigh | BEAUTY IN SOUND

So excited that I can FINALLY announce the final contents list for the 2026 BIS Organ Book: Veni Emmanuel 😃

The overall standard was so high that my original wish of 10-12 pieces was impossible. 38 submissions down to 14 was very hard 🥹

Here’s a contents list, containing no fewer than 20 well-known Advent and Christmas melodies:

Ben Bloor - Variations on ‘Conditor alme siderum’
Laurence Caldecote - Reflection on ‘Veni, veni, Emmanuel’
Moritz Fahrenberg - Fantasia on ‘Puer natus est nobis’
Dave Hall - Postlude on ‘Sussex Carol’
Simon Hancock - Fantasia on ‘In dulci jubilo’
Adam Heron - Variations on ‘Coventry Carol’
Mark Himmelman - Variations on ‘See amid the winter’s snow’
Matthew Kelley - O Emmanuel
Andrew Kirk - Advent Rhapsody
Ryan J. LaRue - Postlude on ‘Wexford Carol’
Timothy Ravalde - Advent Suite
Josh Ring - Toccata on ‘Adeste Fidelis’
Aaron Shows - People, Look East
Michael Whytock - Corde natus ex parentis

Congratulations to all the people who made it to the final selection, and I’m just sorry I couldn’t include everyone.

Both previous BIS Organ Books sold out very quickly - secure your copy early to avoid missing out (more stock coming soon).

Yes, I’m watching Paw Patrol whilst tinkering with the design of the cover 🤣

The 2026 BIS Organ Book - Veni Emmanuel will be on sale on the BIS Shop in December 🎄🎅🏻

Rx

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1 week ago | [YT] | 110

Richard McVeigh | BEAUTY IN SOUND

It was really good to chat with the CEO of Hauptwerk...

and the lovely Michelle this afternoon about many things 🙂

I'm really excited to be working in partnership with Hauptwerk in the future, and I can't wait to see how that will play out.

To think that only a few years ago I was merely a Hauptwerk user and now I'm having open discussions with its owners is a pinch-me moment 😅

The future is looking very bright, and things are only going to get better and more exciting in the coming months and years!

If you guys have anything specific that you'd like me to ask or pass on to the team, please let me know.

PS I think my background is more professional, right? Especially the airplane on the whiteboard... 🤣 (blame young children)

Rx

1 month ago | [YT] | 87

Richard McVeigh | BEAUTY IN SOUND

Today is one of those days…

…where parenthood duties mean that I won't be in a position to host a Virtual Church tonight 👶👧

Arundel Cathedral this morning, followed by two children's parties and then a fairly large service at Romsey make it unfeasible.

However, next week we'll have a VERY special VC with two organists on the bench!

Thank you for your understanding 🙏

PS - lot's going on behind the scenes at BIS!! 😅

1 month ago | [YT] | 209

Richard McVeigh | BEAUTY IN SOUND

Trailer packed, Hula Hoops ready, organist convinced he’s forgotten something…. Let’s go!!

I’m off to sample the second half of a phenomenal organ which is gearing up to rival SMR!

Huge announcement coming on 21st August 👀

Rx

2 months ago | [YT] | 111

Richard McVeigh | BEAUTY IN SOUND

Celebrations tonight!! 🥂 🎉 🥳

We’ve just been given planning permission for the second time (long story!) for our extension!

This will of course enable me to move the organ out of our dining room into a much more appropriate and larger space.

It’s a very slow and expensive process, but this is a MAJOR milestone!! 😃👍

Pictures attached are where our new room will be and roughly where the keyboard of the organ will be. Let’s hope it’s a little more waterproof in the future! 🤣

Caroline and I are both very happy and excited!

Have a drink on me tonight 🍺 🍷 🍸 🍹 ☕️

Rx

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3 months ago | [YT] | 86

Richard McVeigh | BEAUTY IN SOUND

In the absence of a Virtual Church tonight, I recorded this morning's Organ Voluntary for you from Arundel Cathedral...

Luckily I just about got through it unscathed! 😅

I've added the original manuscript so you can follow along with your red pen... I did something very weird in the penultimate bar!

There's a bit of background noise (some of which I've tried to remove) and the balance of the left isn't as clear as it was in the building.

Sorry not to see you tonight, but it's been very busy recently and we'd both appreciate a quiet night ☺️

Love to you all.

Rx

4 months ago | [YT] | 20

Richard McVeigh | BEAUTY IN SOUND

2025 BIS Composition Compilation

I originally announced this in 2024, but due to other commitments I wasn't able to commitment to the original deadlines.

This is now a compilation and not a competition, so every piece to make it into the 2025 BIS Organ Book will be awarded £200 and a free copy of the book.

I've already received quite a number of submissions for the competition, and those pieces are welcome to remain.

I'm looking for about 10 pieces in the book, and the final list of pieces will be judged by a panel of professional organists.

The piece should based on an Advent or Christmas hymn/chorale and be no more than about 6-7 minutes. Big and flashy pieces aren't a necessity! 😉

The deadline is 1st October, giving you 113 days to come up with a masterpiece!

All pieces will be played in a recital on BIS on a brand new sample set in December 2025!

Get in touch 👉 hello@beautyinsound.co.uk
Rx

4 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 55

Richard McVeigh | BEAUTY IN SOUND

Will you allow me the night off?

This week has been rather deprived of sleep for me, so I wonder if you’ll allow me to recuperate tonight?

I’ve been sat at a certain organ console until 6am for several nights this week, starting a brand new project 😉

Let’s start the new Summer Term next week afresh and look forward to what’s ahead.

Hope that’s ok 👌

Rx

6 months ago | [YT] | 235