Thursday, 16 July 2015

SUNDERLAND THEATRE ORGAN PRESERVATION SOCIETY.
CARING FOR THE Ex BLACK'S REGAL/ODEON COMPTON (3/9) ORGAN.

Next Concert details...
David Redfern on Sunday 6th September 2015 at 2.30 pm.

David travels from his home town of Belper in Derbyshire to play for us today. At 7 years of age he had an interest in the piano and at 8 years the electronic organ. At 13 the theatre organ beckoned and he became a most accomplished player. He has broadcast many times on radio, and this is a most welcome return visit to Ryhope for him.

David Redfern on the 6th September.

David Redfern.
David with former Society chairman Ian Parsons, March 2010 concert.
National Heritage Open Weekend...

As part of the national programme of events supporting British Heritage, the Compton organ will be on display, as well as being played on Sunday 13th September 2015 from 11am until 4pm. Come along and seek how it works, view the organ chambers with its ranks of pipes and special effects.

Review of our last concert...

On Sunday 12th July we had the pleasure of Matthew Bason to entertain us at the Compton organ. He travelled from Northamptonshire with his family to play for us in his most entertaining style. The programme started with the lively "Repasz" march, followed by a Spanish medley including "Tico-Tico" and a tribute to Winifred Atwell. Robert Farnon pieces featured towards the end of the first half including "Seashore" and "Westminster waltz" and to conclude the exciting "Circus Renz". In the second half we enjoyed a 1920's selection, Shubert's "March militaire", and a stirring operatic piece "Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves". Another selection included "Come fly with me", "Volare", "Wonderful world", "Radestsky march" and "Fly me to the moon". The final medley featured tunes from the United kingdom..."Banks of Loch Lomond", "Blue Bell polka", "Cockles and Mussels", "White cliffs of Dover", "Lambeth Walk" and "Beside the seaside" were a few from the finale of this superb concert. We look forward to a return visit from Matthew, hopefully in the not to distant future.


Matthew at the Ryhope Compton 12th July.
Matthew tackles the Compton.

Matthew Bason.

Future concerts... 

Carl Heslop on Sunday 18th October 2015 at 2.30 pm.

Originally from the North East of England and a member of this Society Carl travels from Melton Mowbray to play for us. He took an interest in the cinema organ from the age of 12 having played classical organ and piano for several years before. He became interested in organ restoration and was organist at the "Star and Shadow" cinema in Newcastle upon Tyne. He is a voicer/tuner with Peter Collins organ builders and it was this work that took him away from his north east homeland. He is well known on the concert circuit, and we look forward to a varied and entertaining programme.




Christmas Concert with Stephen Austin on Sunday 13th December 2015 at 2.30 pm.

For our Christmas concert we welcome Stephen Austin who travels from Blackpool to play for us. Born 1952 in Taplow, Buckinghamshire he spent the next 21 years living in and around the home counties. He studied piano and organ, and on leaving Shenfield High School was offered a position at Hammond Organ (UK). Following that appointment he was a demonstrator at the prestigious London Cavendish Organ Centre. In 1974 he moved to Blackpool to open a camera and organ retail outlet, and formed the Blackpool keyboard club. His hobbies include cooking, travel and model railways. He is a most popular organist on the playing circuit and we are sure that the concert will be a fitting and exciting close to the 2015 season.


Stephen Austin with us in December.
Stephen Austin.


Stephen Austin at a previous Ryhope concert.

Member Sunday afternoons...

Due to Sunderland Airshow the is no meeting on 26th July. The confirmed member's afternoons at Ryhope Community Centre are 9th and 23rd August (1.30-3.30).

David has an organ warm up on a member's Sunday afternoon.
David and Hugh do a few running repairs in among the pipes.

From the archives...

The "larger than life" late Carlo Curley made a special visit to Ryhope to play the Compton Organ... he sadly passed away on 11th August 2012 aged just 59.


Carlo at the Compton.

David Ivory alongside former Society chairman Ian Parsons (left).

Len Rawle played for us in 2009.
Richard Hills at the Compton.

If you are able to help run the concerts,  prepare the concert room, help with the raffle, tickets and sales etc. please contact us using the blog address.

posted by Neville
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