Organ Scholarship Success for Wrexham Teens

Two young people from Wrexham have been awarded a scholarship to learn to play the organ at St Giles’ Church in the city.

Jessica Hogan and Nataniel Slowiakowski are taking lessons with the church’s organist, Chris Pilsbury. The pair are the church’s third and fourth organ scholars after it relaunched the scheme in early 2020.

The Vicar of St Giles, the Revd James Tout, said: “We are delighted to be able to share the scholarship to enable two exceptional young musicians in the city to take up the instrument. Both have already achieved grade 5 or above in piano and bring their own flare and enthusiasm for learning the organ.

“Over the next two years, they will learn alongside our organist, Chris, and by the end of their scholarship, they will have gained the skills needed to be able to go into any church and play during a service.

“The purpose of the scholarship is to inspire the next generation of organists to ensure the traditional sound of church organ music continues into the future.”

The Organ Scholarship programme is supported by the Wrexham Parochial Educational Foundation. Previous organ scholars have gain scholarships to the Royal Northern College of Music to continue their studies.

Last year, St Giles’ launched as a Mission Hub Church specialising in music for everyone. A choir was started which sang during the Christmas Day Eucharist in 2025 and many other events throughout the city.

St Giles is one of seven Mission Hub churches across the Diocese of St Asaph, each specialising in a distinct aspect of ministry. The Diocese of St Asaph is one of the six dioceses making up the Church in Wales, an autonomous province of the worldwide Anglican Communion.