History
Dunedin has a magnificent Town Hall with an excellent pipe organ known as Norma.
Norma has had world wide fame as a number of overseas and local organists have recorded CD’s on
her. The Dunedin Town Hall Organ Trust organizes concerts during the year which are presented by
both international and local organists.
Norma, which was built by William Hill & Sons and Norman & Beard, has a fascinating history,
beginning life in 1920. The organ was ordered by Harvey Bathurst, which he used as a travelling
organ, installed in 7 trucks for easy assembly at their destination. However financial problems
plagued the entrepreneur forcing closure on the investment. Norma became part of the Wembley
Exhibition in 1924-5 before being completely rebuilt and enlarged for the Dunedin Town Hall which
was opened on15th February 1930. The largest pipes of the organ can be clearly seen in the photo.
Norma has had world wide fame as a number of overseas and local organists have recorded CD’s on
her. The Dunedin Town Hall Organ Trust organizes concerts during the year which are presented by
both international and local organists.
Norma, which was built by William Hill & Sons and Norman & Beard, has a fascinating history,
beginning life in 1920. The organ was ordered by Harvey Bathurst, which he used as a travelling
organ, installed in 7 trucks for easy assembly at their destination. However financial problems
plagued the entrepreneur forcing closure on the investment. Norma became part of the Wembley
Exhibition in 1924-5 before being completely rebuilt and enlarged for the Dunedin Town Hall which
was opened on15th February 1930. The largest pipes of the organ can be clearly seen in the photo.
Need directions to The Dunedin Town Hall? Click here
Parking Hints - as always, beware of anything that is managed by Wilson's Parking. Best to find metered parking if driving
Specification
Great
Contra Viole 16ft Stopped Diapason 16ft Open Diapason I 8ft Open Diapason II 8ft Viola 8ft Doppel Flote 8ft Octave 4ft Flute 4ft Fifteenth 2ft Mixture IV Harmonic Tromba 8ft Harmonic Clarion 4ft vi.Tromba Sub Octave vii.Swell to Great viii.Solo to Great ix.Choir to Great x.Great Pistons to Pedal Pistons |
Swell (enclosed)
Contra Gamba * 16ft Open Diapason 8ft Gamba * 8ft Rohr Flote 8ft Echo Viole 8ft Viole Celeste 8ft Principal 4ft Octave Gamba * 4ft Wald Flote 4ft Salicetina * 2ft Grand Chorus VI Oboe 8ft Cornopean 8ft Vox Humana 8ft Contra Trumpet (Tenor C) * 32ft Double Trumpet * 16ft Trumpet * 8ft Clarion * 4ft xi.Tremulant xii.Octave xiii.Sub Octave xiv.Unison Off |
Choir (enclosed)
Contra Viol 16ft Violin Diapason 8ft Viol d'Orchestre 8ft Dulciana 8ft Hohl Flote 8ft String Celestes II 8ft Violette 4ft Flute 4ft Harmonic Piccolo 2ft Marimba Harmonic Tromba 8ft Chinese Block Tambourine Castanets Tom Tom Snare Drum Roll xviii.Tremulant xix.Octave xx.Sub Octave xxi.Unison Off xxii.Swell to Choir xxiii.Solo to Choir Pedal
Open Diapason 32ft Acoustic Bass 32ft Open Diapason 16ft Open Diapason 16ft Open Diapason 16ft Violone 16ft Bourdon 16ft Contra Gamba 16ft Contra Viol 16ft Principal 8ft Octave 8ft Bass Flute 8ft Double Trumpet 16ft Trombone 16ft Bombarde 16ft Tromba 8ft Bass Drum Tap 1st Touch Snare Drum Tap 1st Touch Cymbals 1st Touch Bass Drum Roll 2nd Touch Snare Drum Roll 2nd Touch Triangle 2nd Touch i.Great to Pedal ii.Swell to Pedal iii.Solo to Pedal iv.Choir to Pedal v.Pedal Stops Off |
Solo (enclosed)
Harmonic Claribel 8ft Orchestral Flute 4ft Orchestral Oboe 8ft Clarinet 8ft Tuba 8ft Tuba Sonora(unenclosed) 8ft Glockenspiel 32 notes xxiv.Tremulant xxv.Octave xxvi.Sub Octave xxvii.Unison Off Accessories
32 Level Solid State Combination Action Giving: 8 General Thumb Pistons 6 Thumb Pistons to Solo Organ 8 Thumb Pistons to Swell Organ 7 Thumb Pistons to Great Organ 6 Thumb Pistons to Choir Organ 7 Toe Pistons to Pedal Organ 8 Toe Pistons to Swell Organ/General Pistons Reversible Toe Piston, Great to Pedal Reversible Toe Piston, Solo to Pedal Reversible Toe Piston, Swell to Great Toe Piston, Cymbal Clash Reversible Thumb Piston, Solo to Pedal Reversible Thumb Piston, Swell to Pedal Reversible Thumb Piston, Solo to Swell Reversible Thumb Piston, Solo to Great Reversible Thumb Piston, Choir to Great Reversible Thumb Piston, Swell to Great Reversible Thumb Piston, Great to Pedal Reversible Thumb Piston, Solo to Choir Reversible Thumb Piston, Swell to Choir Reversible Thumb Piston, Choir to Pedal Crescendo Pedal with Solid State Controller giving: 4 Programmes each of 60 steps Combination Sequencer Unit with: 5 Thumb Pistons, Next 1 Toe Piston, Next 2 Thumb Pistons, Last 2 Thumb Pistons, Restore Action: Electropneumatic with Solid-State Switching Blowing Plant: 3 Watkins & Watson discuss Fans Slip Ring Motors with MicroDrive Controllers |