Historic pipe organs to take centre stage in Keys of Gold festival

This July, the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo will play a central role in the inaugural Keys of Gold Festival, celebrating the region’s rich musical and spiritual heritage.
Four historic Anglican churches – St Augustine’s Inglewood, St Paul’s Cathedral Bendigo, Christ Church Castlemaine, and Holy Trinity Maldon – will open their doors to host concerts that showcase their magnificent pipe organs and invite the community into their sacred spaces.

A momentous event is set to occur at St Augustine’s Anglican Church in Inglewood. After more than 140 years; the church’s George Fincham pipe organ, commissioned in 1878, will finally be completed.

The inaugural concert, Olde World Favourites, will take place on Saturday the 26th of July at 11am, featuring international concert organist Thomas Heywood and soprano Merlyn Quaife AM. This performance marks the first time the organ will be heard in its full glory, fulfilling a vision that has spanned generations.
St Paul’s Cathedral in Bendigo will host two significant events during the festival. On Saturday the 5th of July at 4pm the Cathedral will feature Dances of Light and Shadow, a performance highlighting the interplay of music and architecture. Later in the month, on Saturday the 26th of July at 4pm, the Cathedral will present Masks and Melodies, offering audiences a rich tapestry of sound within its historic walls.

Christ Church, Castlemaine will participate in the ‘Castlemaine Double’ event on Saturday the 12th of July at 11am, sharing the stage with the Castlemaine Uniting Church. This collaboration underscores the unity and shared musical heritage within the community.
Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Maldon will host Power and Grace on Saturday the 19th of July at 11am, featuring a program that celebrates the church’s historic organ and its role in the town’s cultural life.

The Keys of Gold Festival offers an opportunity to experience the profound connection between music, history, and faith. By opening their doors, these Anglican churches invite the wider community to explore the sacred spaces that have been central to spiritual life in the region for over a century.
For more information and to view the full program, please visit www.bendigofinemusic.com.