Sunday 15 October 2017

The SUNDERLAND THEATRE ORGAN PRESERVATION SOCIETY.

Caring for the John Compton  3/9 Theatre Organ of 1932. The organ is the ex Sunderland Black's Regal/Odeon cinema instrument.


John Compton 3/9 organ (1932)


Our Christmas Concert features the ever popular Elizabeth Harrison on Sunday 10th December 2017 at 2.30pm.


Elizabeth at the Compton during a previous concert. (NW)

Elizabeth Harrison was born in Preston (Lancashire) in 1974. She became interested in both piano and organ from an early age and soon became an accomplished player on both instruments. Elizabeth has been on the British concert circuit for about 25 years and has a popular following countrywide. The "day" job consists of looking after the farm and tending to all her many animals! We look forward to a splendid concert with music appropriate to the enchanting Christmas season.

Elizabeth at home on both electronic and theatre pipe organs.

Venue... Ryhope Community Centre,
Black Road, Ryhope, Sunderland SR2 0RX
(use the side red door)


 Review of the concert with Damon Willetts on Sunday 15th October 2017 at 2.30pm.
(This concert was a joint promotion with the Theatre Organ Club, and our sincere thanks is extended to this organisation) 





Damon Willetts travelled from his home in Halesowen (West Midlands) to play for us today at Ryhope. By the age of six he had taken a keen interest in the piano, and at the age of seventeen he was much in demand as a hotel pianist due to his appreciation of popular tuneful music. He was invited to play the "Christie Organ" in the Majestic Cinema in Cradley Heath where he continued in this role until its closure. He began concert performances in 2002 playing many venues the length and breadth of the country. He owns a Compton pipe organ which is installed in his home. His "day job" is groundsman at two Midlands cricket clubs...quite a contrast to music.
He began his concert with "Sing everybody sing", then "Knights of Gladness" and "Lullaby of the Leaves". He continued with "Love changes everything", "All I ask of you" and Ketelby's "Bells across the meadow" followed by the delightful theme from "Last of the summer wine". He concluded the first half with a lively Rogers & Hammerstein selection.
Following the interval, he resumed with music from the "Three Elizabeth's suite", Russ Conway's "Side Saddle", some Cole Porter tunes, and a lovely rendition of "Dream of Olwyn". He concluded with music associated with "Around the World" with musical treats from different countries. He was pressed for an encore which featured some popular sing-a-long tunes. Damon certainly gave us an excellent concert for an appreciative audience.

Future concerts...


Our first concert of 2018 features Cameron Lloyd who has become a Ryhope favourite.
Sunday 18th February 2018 at 2.30pm


Always smiling Cameron on a previous visit.

Cameron at the Blackpool Opera House WurliTzer (DC)


Review of the concert on Sunday 20th August with Lewis Scott .



Lewis "at home" on the Ryhope Compton (NW)

Lewis travelled from his home in Hull to play for us today. This talented young man won the ATOS young organist competition in 2016 and is now playing concerts countrywide. The choice of music was a delight, with tunes to please everyone. He began his programme with "Night & Day" followed by the "Mood I'm in" and the Londonderry Air. A dramatic rendition of "Murder on the Orient Express" followed, and a selection of popular tunes..."Jealousy" "Stranger in Paradise", "Manhattan" and "How High the Moon". To take us to interval there was a Waltz selection, some Nat King Cole numbers, and sing-a-long melodies.
After the interval raffle and refreshment, Lewis resumed with "five-foot two..eyes of blue", "Midnight in Moscow", "hush-a-bye mountain" and a "cha-cha" collection. He played a dramatic selection of tunes from "War of the Worlds", followed by Irving Berlin songs, then"Stranger on the shore", "take the A train" and "the way you look tonight". He concluded his splendid concert with a rousing "Copacabana" and an encore by request.


Member's afternoons are held on the second and fourth Sundays from 1.30-3.30pm. Use the side red door. Come along and listen to, or play the Compton organ.


From the Society archives...

Well known organists who have played the Ryhope Compton in recent years.


John Barnett with former chairman Ian Parsons.

Simon Gledhill with Ian Parsons.

Richard Hills.

Committee members and Kevin Grunill 2011.

Ian Parsons with David Ivory 2010.

posted by Neville
email... ryhopecomptonorgan@gmail.com
see our Facebook page, and concert details can also be found on organfax.co.uk