Jane Watts returns to St Albans in the opening performance of the International Organ Festival Society’s new recital series.

One of Britain’s leading concert organists, Jane made her Royal Festival Hall recital debut in 1986, a season during which she also became the Royal College of Organists’ first Performer of the Year.

Since then her career has taken her all over the world, with performances in the USA, Europe, Hong Kong, Barbados, Lebanon, Australia and New Zealand in addition to numerous appearances throughout Great Britain.

She also has an extensive recording career, with recordings on organs across Australasia, Europe and especially in the UK.

Jane is a strong advocate of the works of William Lloyd Webber – father of Julian and Andrew – who taught her harmony and counterpoint at the Royal College of Music. In the recital, which is being held in St Albans Cathedral at 5.30pm next Saturday, September 20, she plays his Festal March and Chorale, Cantilena and Finale.

She will also play Concert Variations on The Star-Spangled Banner by Dudley Buck, a piece she describes as “such fun – albeit technically far from easy – and it displays a multitude of colours from the organ”.

The recital also includes works by Popplewell, Mathias and Parry.

Entry to the recital is free with a retiring collection in aid of the International Organ Festival Society. After the recital the audience will have the opportunity to meet the soloist at a reception in the refectory.

Full details of all the concerts in the 2014-2015 recital series can be found at www.organfestival.com