Tuesday 22 January 2019

The Sunderland Theatre Organ Preservation Society.
Caring for the ex Odeon John Compton Theatre Organ.



 Dissolution of the Society.



Members of the Society have received formal notification of the dissolution of the organisation following our final concert and member's afternoon, in accordance with the guidance of the Society's constitution. Our  concert audience has been told and details have appeared in the local press, and social media outlets. The sad but realistic decision has been made owing to  increasing running costs and hall hire charges, the difficulty in finding people to serve on the committee, and dwindling concert attendances. 

The Society presents the second of their last three concerts...

Cameron Lloyd on Sunday 24th February 2019 at 2.30pm 


Ever smiling Cameron Lloyd (NW)

Cameron is a Ryhope favourite and we welcome him back once more to play for us particularly as our concerts draw to a close. He was born in 1980 and at age 11 his parents bought him a WurliTzer electronic organ and he decided that he would teach himself to play. A visit to the famous Tower Ballroom at Blackpool at age 12 got him hooked on the theatre organ sound, listening to the mighty WurliTzer there. Encouraged by the Wolverhampton Civic Organist (the well respected Steve Tovey) Cameron was allowed to practise on the instrument in the Civic Hall. In 1999 he fulfilled a long held ambition by being invited to play the Tower Ballroom WurliTzer. Not only does he play the organ but undertakes tuning, repairs and installations. He was involved with the return of a WurliTzer organ to the Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Cameron plays for concerts and dancing countrywide, and has a full programme of engagements. We are assured of a splendid afternoons entertainment from this maestro of the theatre organ ...a concert not to be missed.

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

The Society's final concert with Howard Beaumont on Sunday 24th March 2019.




Howard was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire and from the age of 7 took an interest in the piano. Progression to the organ followed, and particularly the theatre pipe organ. He has completed 30 summer seasons at the Scarborough Spa complex playing for afternoon concerts and dancing. Howard has been a demonstrator for various electronic organ companies, and has also entertained on board luxury cruise liners. As a founder member of the Society he helped to secure the future of the  Odeon Compton Organ when the cinema went over to bingo in 1982 and the instrument had to be removed. He is a popular organist on the countrywide organ circuit and he will make the Society's last concert a most memorable occasion.


Review of Elizabeth Harrison's concert on Sunday 20th January 2019.


Elizabeth in sparkly jacket (NW)

It was with great joy we welcomed back to the console Elizabeth Harrison (in a lovely sparkly jacket) who travelled from her home (farm) near Preston in Lancashire to play for us today. The concert started with the rousing "Aces High" and a selection of waltzes including "Destiny waltz"  and"Forgotten Dreams". Elizabeth spoke of life on the farm and how they were preparing for the lambing season. We enjoyed hearing about her collection of tractors, which she takes to rally's  and agricultural shows. There followed a medley of  "fun tunes" including "Day trip to Bangor", Teddy bears picnic" and "All the nice girls love a sailor". We enjoyed a selection of popular 1960's tunes which brought us to the interval. The second half started with a Scottish theme including "Glasgow belongs to me"and "Loch Lomond". She spoke of recent holidays which all seem the have a farming or musical theme.  We enjoyed a good arrangement of show tunes including pieces from "Phantom" and "Cats". We heard how she has been increasing her collection of Fred the flour grader models and  associated memorabilia! A few Latin numbers followed including "Quando quando". To draw the concert to a close Elizabeth played some great sing-a-long tunes. What a splendid afternoon of musical treats it had been, played by this most talented organist.





Remaining dates for members Sunday afternoon get togethers...
Sunday 10th February and Sunday 10th March & 31st March (1.30-3.30pm)


Looking back at Organists who have played the ex Odeon instrument through our archive records. 


Carlo Curly


Bob Chilton

Damon Willetts

Reg Dixon (Odeon 1977)

David Lobban
Andrew Nix

posted by Neville
email.. ryhopecomptonorgan@gmail.com
see Facebook page and concert details on "organfax"