TALENTED organist Henry Fairs, who has been a prize-winner in several major competitions, is putting on a concert in St Albans next weekend. He is performing at St Peter s Church at 5.30pm on Saturday, January 19, and the organ concert is the latest in a

TALENTED organist Henry Fairs, who has been a prize-winner in several major competitions, is putting on a concert in St Albans next weekend.

He is performing at St Peter's Church at 5.30pm on Saturday, January 19, and the organ concert is the latest in a current series. It will be followed by a reception in the church hall where members of the audience will have a chance to meet Henry.

Winner of the second prize in the interpretation competition in the St Albans Organ Festival of 2005, Henry is organist to the University of Birmingham and an organ tutor at the Birmingham Conservatoire.

He has won prizes in organ competitions in Dublin, Paris, Chartres and St Albans and last year he took both the first prize and special prize at the Odense International Organ Competition in Denmark.

Born in Hereford, he graduated with first-class honours from the Birmingham Conservatoire in 1998 and was then the recipient of a scholarship which enabled him to undertake postgraduate studies in France and Germany.

Recent engagements include recitals at St John's, Smith Square, the Augustinerkirche in Vienna and Chartres Cathedral. He has also taught courses for the Royal College of Organists, the Royal School of Church Music and Oundle for Organists.

He will be performing works by Durufle, J.S. Bach, Reger and Messiaen at the concert where admission is free but there will be a retiring collection in aid of the International Organ Festival Society.