Norwich teen crowned Young Organist after two years of playing

A 15-year-old boy has won an award for playing the organ, after taking up the instrument two years ago.

Oscar, from Old Catton near Norwich, started playing the instrument in the Easter of 2023.

He was crowned Young Organist of the Year at the Music Museum in Brentford on Sunday.

He said: “A lot of young people play the piano, that’s not peculiar at all. But having a young person play the organ… it’s really unheard of.”

“When you’re playing you really need to enjoy it. You don’t want to overthink it too much because that’s when you start making mistakes,” he said.

“You’ve got to feel the music and almost play it like a singer would sing. Let the music breathe… you have just got to be relaxed, that’s the main thing.”

Oscar grew up having piano lessons but has learned to play the organ by ear.

He said: “I love to listen to other organists, orchestras, bands, other singers and that’s where I get most of my inspiration from and I transfer what I hear on the organ the best I can.”

His father Steven said he was “very touched” watching his son win.

He said: “He’s put in a lot of work but he’s condensed what might take people 20 or 30 years to get to that level and he’s done it in two years.

“He just loves music, he has a fabulous ear… It’s a cliche, but he can pick up a tune, he can harmonise it correctly and put his own spin on it. He’s very gifted.”

Oscar said he was keen to pursue engineering as a career but keep playing the organ as a passion project.

“I can’t imagine a life without playing the piano or the organ,” he added.