Hymnfest at St Peter’s Canberra

St Peter’s Lutheran Church Canberra is hosting a Sunday Afternoon Hymnfest on Sunday June 22nd at  230pm to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the installation of the Gallery Pipe Organ!

Accompanied with solo interludes by celebrated young Canberra organist Linus Lee, the hymnfest is expected to comprise ten well-known hymns together with a number of solo organ interludes selected by Linus Lee. The event is being coordinated by organist Ian Kummerow.

Ticket prices are:
General Admission – $15
RSCM Member – $10
Student -$10

Click here to book

Credit and cash facilities are available at the door
Enquiries 0475 421 333

The Walcker Organ – Historical Notes
Pastor Roehers during the visit of the German ambassador mentioned that the church needed an organ.
The German ambassador upon return to Germany made inquiries with the organ builders. As a result, they created a fund of
DM30,000 to give towards the organ for St. Peter’s congregation. Walcker and Co’ of Ludwigsburg were well known organ builders.
They contacted their representative, Mr. Lawson, in Sydney to give details of the dimensions of the organ. According to Mr. Lawson
a reasonable size organ would be one of 11 stops and 647 pipes and would be well over DM 40,000. In October 1963, the German
Embassy in Canberra raised that over DM 45,000.
The organ therefore was a gift of the West German Government. Subsequently, the organ was built, and the pieces were shipped to
Australia. The organ pieces were in quarantine for an entire year. Customs tariff was initially to be 12.5%, but because of further
negotiations the tariff was dropped.
The organ pieces in packing cases arrived to Sydney on 28 November 1964. The packing cases were released from customs on 25
March 1965. Upon arrival in Canberra Mr. Lawson began to assemble the organ, which was completed at the end of May 1965. The
official dedication of the organ took place on 30 May 1965.
At the dedication ceremony the following dignitaries were present: Dr. Ritter (German ambassador), Dr. Lohe (President General of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Australia). The organist of the day was Mr. James Thiele from South Australia. Mr. Thiele gave
a recital in the evening. Canberra singers also participated with choral music.
The organ is of baroque style and its action is totally mechanical. There is no swell box, and the registration includes two bright
mixtures, which are well balanced in terms of strength. It has 11 stops – 4 on each of the manuals and 3 on the pedal – and a total
of 650 pipes. Organists of St. Peter’s have included: Dr. Aitchison, Astrid Bowler, Steven Gerhardy, Lorraine Macknight, Beth
Hartmann, Peter Wild, Sheila Thompson, Marie Hamann, William Fraser, Hildegarde Palafox, Ian Kummerow (chief organist).
The Organist
Linus Lee arrived in Canberra in 2012, with his family from South Korea. Soon after, he commenced studies at the ANU, majoring
in international relations. In addition, he began accompanying local choirs and church communities on the piano and the organ.
Inspired, Linus undertook a second bachelor’s degree at the ANU. This time it was in music, with a major in classical piano
performance. Linus became a Wesley organ student in 2017 and has since flourished as a local church organist. In 2019, Linus
gained two licentiate AMEB awards: LMusA in piano and LMusA in organ with distinction. He is currently completing his
physiotherapy studies at the University of Canberra.