Concert sends off SH Basilica on good note

The organ has been played at the Sacred Heart Basilica for the last time in at least 10 months.

With the basilica set to close for earthquake strengthening work, about 120 people attended the South Island Organ Company’s annual Earthquake Memorial concert yesterday.

The concert was headlined by Dr Brett McKern, a composer, conductor and organist at St John’s Church, in Gordon at Sydney’s Upper North Shore.

His primary reason for being in Timaru was to inspect a $1.5 million organ being built here for the St John church which parishioners have spent 10 years fundraising for. SI Organ Company general manager John Hargraves said the concert was well received. ‘‘It featured several numbers that were quite funereal in their tone, but ended on an upbeat mode with the concluding Dambusters March. I think everyone went out smiling.

‘‘It was a good note to go out on. There’s the proposed time it takes, and then there’s the actual time. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not a long time. This building is so significant, and not just for Timaru.’’

Parishioners at the Basilica say the moving of equipment begins today, as they temporarily move to St Thomas’s Church in Mountainview. The fundraising goal is $1.6 million, with additional funding sought from trusts. Combined with the Diocesan insurance payout, it is estimated the total construction project will cost about $3.9m.