The Organ Builders

established 1902

Staff

In Cape Town

James Riadore (Partner)

In 1958 James Stephen Riadore joined Cooper, Gill and Tompkins from the works of Wm. Hill and Sons and Norman Beard. He would become one of the driving forces of the South African organ scene for the better part of half a century. A trademark of "Jimmy" Riadore has always been his extreme tidiness of work and giving the customer the best available, even if purists often decried his decisions. In 1970 he left Cooper, Gill and Tompkins, took on the position of Verger and Clerk at St Georges Cathedral and established the Cape Organbuilders (Pty) Ltd. This came about after Jimmy was consulted, and then asked to tender for the rebuilding of the organ in the Groote Kerk. The tender was granted on the condition that he form a Limited Company. The firm rebuilt old instruments, and constructed 12 new ones, most of them to a large amount of success. They eventually amalgamated with Cooper, Gill in 1980. Jimmy was appointed Managing Director soon afterwards.

Charles February (Partner)

Charles February was  apprenticed to Cooper, Gill and Tomkins in 1975 and served a four year apprenticeship under James Riadore. He has worked for the company for twenty-seven years and specialises in tuning and general maintenance.

In Johannesburg

Charles Hart (Partner)

Charles was the first organ apprentice to serve a 5 year apprenticeship which was registered by the department of manpower. He studied tuning and regulation under James Riadore; tuning and voicing under Richard Moth;  electrical work under Sam Forster and carpentry under Roy Brown. He is a partner in the firm and has been in charge of the Johannesburg Branch for 12 years. He is responsible for over a hundred organs in the Gauteng, the Free State and Natal regions.

In Port Elizabeth

Alec Longman

Born in the UK, Alec Longman was apprenticed to the famous organ building firm of Hill, Norman & Beard from 1976-1981. After his apprenticeship he continued with that firm until 1984 when he emigrated to South Africa to join Cooper, Gill and Tomkins (now 'The Organ Builders'). From 1990 he did work for Tozer Organ Builders; Byrne Organs and South African Organ Builders. He finally returned to the fold of The Organ Builders in 2001 as head of their Port Elizabeth Branch