It has been attracting a loyal following of discerning music lovers and everyday visitors alike.

Since it was established a year ago, the programme of daily organ recitals at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow has featured leading players from as far afield as Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Australia, Holland and America, as well as Scotland.

Each has filled the grand Victorian main hall with the deep tones of the building's famous 100-year-old Lewis concert organ, which has been played for more than 360 performances in the past year, each lasting between half an hour and 45 minutes.

Now those behind the programme of recitals at the leading tourist venue are pulling out the stops to ensure more memorable events over the coming 12 months.

As the free music events continue into a second year, the hunt is on for at least five more people willing to donate to keep the organ playing to the two million visitors who visit the landmark gallery and museum - recently revealed as the 14th most popular institution of its kind in the world.

Following the successful refurbishment of the museum, an honorary music director, Dr James Hunter, was appointed to the museum for the first time, primarily to organise the daily 1pm (3pm on a Sunday) events.

The recitals have been sponsored by a group of leading Glasgow businessmen including Arnold Clark, Boyd Tunnock, Iain Harrison, Bill Mann and Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden, all of whom are over 65.

Lord Macfarlane said yesterday: "We've called our club the Golden Oldies' and I'm extremely grateful to all those who have been involved in keeping this magnificent tradition of organ recitals alive.

"Kelvingrove was originally a place that attracted thousands of patrons to live music events and I'm delighted that Dr Hunter and his band of organists have kept that heritage going.

"Now we're looking to double the number of Golden Oldies, inviting others to join in keeping the daily organ recitals in existence."

Lord Macfarlane, who chaired the highly successful Kelvingrove Refurbishment Appeal, added: "There's just one rule if you want to be involved, you must be eligible for a bus pass, a pension and at least 65 years young."

On Saturday, a seminar was held in Kelvingrove which many of the organists who have played there in the past year attended - Lord Macfarlane thanked them on behalf of Glasgow City Council and the citizens of Glasgow for bringing their talent and expertise to Kelvingrove in the past year.

This year a new development will be installed in the museum to improve the public's enjoyment of the instrument: two high-definition television screens are to be installed, with cameras showing the organists' hands and feet, so that the audience can watch the complex and demanding task of playing the instrument in more detail.

The recitals have predominantly featured organ and classical music but have also included songs by Kylie Minogue, Coldplay and U2.

Dr Hunter said: "A number of special performances have been staged including a recital by one of the world's most famous virtuosos, Dame Gillian Weir.

"Choirs from America and France have appeared and choirs from several schools in Glasgow performed in the run-up to Christmas.

"The Christmas concert also proved popular and we hope to make these annual events. The main aim is to make music an integral part of the Kelvingrove experience."

He continued: "I think one of the big successes of these recitals is that people are actually getting to hear the organ - many people just do not have the chance to hear organs very much any more, as many people do not tend to go to church.

"Mothers point the organ out to their children when it plays and it must be one of the most photographed organs in the world by now.

"We have had guest organists from all over the world, but all over Scotland too, from Easterhouse, Aberdeen, the Borders and Edinburgh, and scholars from Oxford and Cambridge."

He added that given the organ has been there for 106 years and is played three times a day - two rehearsals and a performance - and is in full working order, it is a real testimony to those who created it.

Piped music Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum's 3000-pipe organ was built more than 100 years ago by Lewis & Co, of Brixton in London. It was originally hired from them for the concert hall of the 1901 International Exhibition in Kelvingrove Park. In 1902 the city bought and installed it in Kelvingrove, and a walnut case front and non-functional display pipes were added. It was restored in the 1980s with support from the Friends of Glasgow Museums. During the Second World War a nearby German bomb broke the glass above the organ and rainwater and debris fell on it.