Andrew Harding Interview
Andrew Harding has recently taken up the position of Organist and Director of Music in the Parishes of Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla. He is already an accomplised pianist and singer with a piano diploma from the Royal Irish Academy of Music. He has successfully completed year 3 of the Archbishop's Certificate in Church Music (ACCM).
This interview first appeared in The CMC Times June 2024 edition and was compiled by Philip Good.
Tell us a little about yourself?
I live just outside Maynooth, Co. Kildare, where I went to church for most of my life. I teach piano lessons and play at weddings and other events for a living, which most of my piano students seem to be convinced does not count as a real job.
How did you become involved in music?
When I was brought to church as a baby I used to cry and make noise through the whole service except when the organ was playing, which dumbfounded my parents. However, they concluded that I responded well to music and found me a piano teacher when I was 7. I’ve been playing ever since then, and started to teach piano lessons, play music and sing with various ensembles and study music in Maynooth University.
Who were your influences in music?
The music I listened to most as a child was classical music that my mother used to play in the car, and as a result I could spell Tchaikovsky when I was four. Until I was about 12 I didn’t listen to any music at all outside of what I was playing on piano, until I encountered the Beatles and then spent a year listening to nothing besides their music. I’ve also listened to a lot of Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder and Simon and Garfunkel among others.
How did you find your way into becoming a church musician?
I thought it was a bit of a shame that I’d spent my whole life going to church, and almost my whole life playing music, and had hardly ever combined the two. I was fortunate enough to be funded by my parish to take the ACCM course to learn how to play the organ and to accompany congregational singing, and that gave me the skills to take on the kind of work I’m doing here.
What is some of your favourite repertoire for preludes, postludes?
I had the chance to play a postlude for Pentecost, Veni Creator, on 19 May for the first time in church, which I really enjoyed because it’s one of those thunderously loud and impressive-sounding pieces that I couldn’t have imagined ever being able to play before I started organ lessons.
Do you have a favourite composer that you like to play?
I’ve never had a preference to be honest. I’ve enjoyed playing a range of composers over the years like Mozart, Chopin, Brahms, Beethoven, Bach, Haydn, etc., but I couldn’t pick a favourite.
Do you have a favourite hymn?
The hymn I most enjoy playing might be Dear Lord and Father of Mankind, but my favourite hymn is definitely Abide With Me.
Have you tried arranging or composing your own music?
I studied music in college and did some composing there. I also used to write songs and my own music, and mix and produce songs for other musicians, but I haven’t done any of this in years.
You are currently completing the ACCM Course, how are you finding it?
I very briefly tried to teach myself how to play the organ, thinking it mightn’t be that hard after having played the piano for 15 years, and got absolutely nowhere. So the ACCM Course has been absolutely vital to me in terms of giving me the skills to play any organ I might come across, how to play the pedals, what stops to pull out and much more. I’m also very fortunate to have a wonderful teacher in David O’Shea who has supported me greatly in both the musical and professional side of being a church musician.
What would be your own best piece of advice for anyone considering taking up the organ?
Based on my experience as a piano teacher there’s three small pieces of advice I’d give: have a goal in mind of what you want to be able to do on the organ, practice towards that goal, and be patient.
How do you approach a new piece?
On the organ, I usually practice short sections one hand at a time. I then practice the pedal line, and pair each combination together (left hand and pedal, right hand and pedal, left hand and right hand) before trying to play all three at the same time. I don’t listen to recordings of pieces beforehand as often as I should, so I’m trying to get into that habit.
Is there anything else that you would like members of this parish to know?
Only that I’m really excited to develop the musical tradition in the parish and to use what gifts I have to help us worship!