University News Last updated 24 November
Birmingham City University (BCU) and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) hosted the premiere screening of Juliet: Crafting a Legacy, a new documentary exploring the creation of the Conservatoire’s latest pipe organ.
The event included a short performance on the Juliet organ, followed by a Q&A with Daniel Moult, Head of Organ, and Joost de Boer, Director of William Drake Ltd, the organ’s maker.
“The short film has engaged our audience, and seeing its success on social media has been exciting and gratifying,” said Daniel Moult, who features in the documentary.
“It was fascinating to hear Joost de Boer share his insights into designing and building the organ from scratch and to open a new world for audiences.”
Funded by an anonymous donor, the £2.1 million organ was crafted in Devon before being installed in Birmingham.
The documentary traces its journey and highlights its role in inspiring the next generation of musicians from across the city’s diverse communities.
Children from St Benedict’s Primary School, part of RBC’s Primary School of Music initiative, also feature in the film as they discover and learn about the instrument.
“Sharing the film with the children involved in our pilot organ project was a thrill,” Daniel added.
“It reminded all of us at RBC of a very special and meaningful collaboration with our dedicated Primary School of Music. It gave the children a wider context of craftspeople, musicians, and legacy, which we hope will inspire young minds.”
St Benedict’s has worked closely with the Conservatoire for more than two years, benefiting from high-quality music education delivered both at school and on campus. Year 5 children were given a special screening of the documentary.
Commissioned in 2021, the Juliet organ was built by specialist organ makers William Drake Ltd, whose prestigious portfolio includes work for Her Majesty The Queen, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Palace of Westminster. The instrument features 1,138 pipes.
You can view the trailer for Juliet: Crafting a Legacy here.