The Betts Centre for Organ Studies offers support, programming, and social events for the organ scholars in Oxford. In addition to masterclasses and other occasional practical classes, the Center has co-sponsored a four-year sequence of conferences on the Organ in England from 1600 to the present day (2006-2010) with the British Institute of Organ Studies. The Centre also organises annual trips to the continent to play important historic instruments. The annual Organ Scholars Dinner, usually held in Trinity Term, is the most well-attended event in the Betts diary. Dr Katharine Pardee is the Betts Fellow in Organ Studies at the University of Oxford.
John Alfred Henry Betts (1920–1989)
A teacher at Gosford Hill School, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, John Betts was an amateur organ-builder and player, maintaining several instruments in and around Oxford who particularly loved the traditional Anglican ‘Cathedral Style’ service. He was an active member of the Oxford and District Organists Association for many years, serving as secretary from 1976 to 1978. Following the death of his wife a portion of his estate was given to the University of Oxford, Faculty of Music, to form the John Betts Foundation.
