Ronald Sharp

Ronald William Sharp (b.1929) is an organ builder based in Sydney, Australia.

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.

Sharp is self-taught and has always been dedicated to finding the true way for the benefit of whatever project is encompassed.

His notable instruments include:

• Sydney Opera House Grand Organ, one of the largest mechanical action organs ever built, opened in 1979.^[1]

• 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 16' pedal stops 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