Biography
Henry Fairs is Organist to the University of Birmingham and an organ tutor at the Birmingham Conservatoire. He has been a prizewinner in several major organ competitions including Paris, Chartres and St Albans, and in 2007 he was awarded both First Prize and Special Prize at the Odense International Organ Competition in Denmark. A prizewinner at FRCO, he studied in Birmingham, Paris and Cologne where his teachers included David Saint, Thierry Mechler, Susan Landale and David Sanger.
Alongside his work in Birmingham, he is active as a recitalist, performing regularly throughout Europe and in America. During 2008 he will be playing Messiaen's complete organ works in Birmingham and Chicago, and engagements in 2009 include a recital as part of a Messiaen Series at the Leipzig Gewandhaus and a tour of Scandinvia. His first solo recording featuring Duruflé’s complete organ music from Notre Dame d’Auteuil in Paris was released in 2007 on the Naxos label.
Henry also runs a comprehensive course for young organists for the Birmingham Conservatoire Junior Department, preparing students for conservatoire and oxbridge entry, and he teaches privately through the St Giles Organ School in Birmingham and London. Further details can be found via the "Contact" and "Links" pages on this site.
Teaching Specialisms
Generalist with special interest in romantic music, plus Duruflé and Messiaen
Awards & Prizes
- First Prize and Special Prize - Odense International organ Competition, Denmark 2007
- Prix Maurice Duruflé - Chartres International Organ Competition 2002 & 2006
- Concerto Prize - Ville de Paris International Organ Competition 2004
- Honorary Member of Birmingham Conservatoire
Current Projects
- Complete Messiaen Organ Cycle (2008)
Recent Summer Courses & Masterclasses Given
- 2007: Tutor, RSCM Summer School for Organists, London
- 2007: Tutor, Oundle Organ Scholars Course, Oxford
- 2007: Masterclasses, Birmingham Conservatoire
- 2006: Tutor/Recitalist, International Summer School & Festival, Oundle
Publications
- Organists' Review article: "Registering German Romantic Organ Music"
- St Giles Organ School booklet: Study Notes for ARCO & FRCO







