Ronald Sharp

Ronald William Sharp (born 1929) is an organ builder based in Sydney, Australia. For his organ building, he was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal (1977) and the British Empire Medal (1980).

He was self-taught and built his first organ in 1960.^[1] He specialised in mechanical, tracker action instruments, and was responsible for re-introducing mechanical action to Australia. His tracker action baroque organs are particularly famous. Although sometimes criticised as having a unique and characteristic tonal design, rather than an authentic "organ" tone, this tone has come to be much appreciated by some authorities and players.

Notable organs

• Sydney Opera House Grand Organ, one of the largest mechanical action organs ever built, opened in 1979.^[2]

• Knox Grammar School chapel organ, a tracker action Classical style organ, with 3 manuals, 31 speaking stops, 1 coupler, opened in 1965.
• Ormond College Organ, altered from his design in 1992 and no longer regarded as an authentic Sharp.
• Perth Concert Hall organ, opened in 1973, mechanical and electric action, 3000 pipes.
• St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, organ in the triforium above the chancel intended as a two manual sixteen stop choir organ but never completed. Construction began in 1959 and was discontinued in 1971 with only two pedal stops (16' and 4') and fourteen manual stops installed.
• A small practice organ in the home of Norman Johnston, 1964.
• Wollongong Town Hall. A two manual and pedal mechanical actioned classical style organ. Twenty-two stops. 1968
• St John the Baptist Church, Reid, A two manual and pedal mechanical action organ enclosed in an expression case. St John's is Canberra's oldest Church.
• Canberra School of Music, A one manual seven stop portable organ.

References

1. W.D. Jordan. "Ronald Sharp". In L. Root, Deane. Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press. (subscription required)
2. Brown, Malcolm (2009-11-25). "A mini-plot in saga of the Opera House". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2010-02-17.