THERE is a rare opportunity to hear a ‘guided tour’ of the historic organs of Hereford Cathedral on Tuesday at 1.15 pm, when Geraint Bowen, the cathedral’s director of music, Peter Dyke, assistant director of music, and William Fox, the cathedral’s organ scholar, will be putting them through their paces.

There are actually three organs at Hereford Cathedral. The main instrument is the world-famous Willis, completed in 1892 by Henry ‘Father’ Willis, which is widely considered to be one of the finest organs in Britain. With four manuals and nearly 70 speaking stops, it has a huge range of tonal colour, from the majestic solo Tuba down to the quietest flute.

There is also the festival organ, a smaller instrument which was designed to play alongside the orchestra at the Three Choirs Festival, and last, but by no means least, is the chamber organ, a small, portable instrument used to accompany the cathedral choir and other ensembles in earlier repertoire.

There will be large-screen video projection from the organ loft, so that concert-goers can see as well as hear what is happening. Entrance is free, with a retiring collection.