SUNDERLAND THEATRE ORGAN PRESERVATION SOCIETY.

DEDICATED TO CARE & MAINTENANCE OF THE JOHN COMPTON (3/9) ORGAN... Ex BLACK'S REGAL/ODEON IN SUNDERLAND

Next Concert Details... Joe Marsh on Sunday 21st August 2016 at 2.30pm.

We welcome to the console the President of the Sunderland Theatre Organ Preservation Society...Joe Marsh on Sunday 21st August. Joe was taught piano from an early age and moved on to the church organ. He gained experience in the technical aspects of organ building with his late father Joe Marsh Snr. He became resident organist at Odeon Byker (1963-1969) and also played at the Essoldo Newcastle during this time. He also was resident at the Odeon Gateshead (1968-1975). Joe has played at venues up and down the country and has also played in the USA a number of times. We look forward to a programme of popular music to suit all tastes, played in his own inimitable style.

Society president Joe Marsh.

Joe will entertain us on Sunday 21st August.

Venue Ryhope Community Centre, Black Road, Ryhope, Sunderland SR2 0RX. Use the side "red" door on Black Road.

Review of our recent concerts...

On Sunday 19th June we welcomed back to the console a popular organist with the Ryhope audiences... Andrew Nix. He last performed here in 2014 alongside Tony Stace. Born in Selby in 1968, by the age of 10 had an interest in electronic organs and by 16 years of age was playing in local venues. He went into holiday camp entertainment work and was organist/musical director for the "Butlins" organisation. He has played for organ societies countrywide and since 2000 has toured with a Roland Atelier organ, to visit organisations/venues who do not have their own. He began his programme with a number of marches including 76 trombones,  and there followed a splendid "Sigmund Romberg" selection.  Tunes with a "birds" theme followed,  including the "Ugly Duckling" and "When the Red Red Robin". Some show tunes followed including a number from "Cage aux Folles", then music for the Crematorium including "Twilight Time" and "My Prayer"! In the second half  we enjoyed a selection of Disney tunes, "Highland Cathedral" and a lively Latin selection all available on his CD's as he pointed out! It had been an inspiring and most enjoyable afternoon's entertainment.

Andrew at the console on Sunday 19th June (NW)

Andrew with Tony Stace at Ryhope in 2014.

Review of our last concert with Paul Roberts...

On Sunday 17th April we welcomed Paul Roberts to the console of the Ex. Sunderland Odeon Compton. Paul travelled from his home in Somerset to play for us today. The concert was most generously supported by the "Theatre Organ Club" to which the Society wishes to express its sincere thanks. Paul was born in Warrington in 1960 and for 30+ years has been a popular organist on the UK concert circuit and has made many tours of Europe and South Africa, USA and Canada. Firstly Joe Marsh gave us the background to the "Theatre Organ Club"and their support of this concert today. Paul began the afternoon with a Walter Donaldson medley including "My blue heaven" then various selections including "Jeanie with the light brown hair" and a few "Beatles" tunes. Part way through the first half he was joined by Adrian Rose (chairman of the Southport Organ Society) ... Adrian on the Compton, and Paul on electric piano. They performed two beautiful pieces "Rhondda Rhapsody" and "Forgotten Dreams". Paul did say that despite playing all over the world he had fulfilled the pinnacle of his performing career with this visit to Ryhope! Another fine selection brought us to the interval and these included "Smile", "Misty" and "When I'm cleaning windows". The second half included a half an hours continuous playing of some very lively tunes, and among the many were "Amazing Grace", "Deep purple", "Over the rainbow", "Jeepers creepers". Adrian Rose joined with Paul for "Neopolitan serenade", "Ain't misbehaving", and "Dance of the icicles". Another selection including "Moonlight in Vermont", "Only a paper moon" and "Cabaret" brought this excellent afternoon of musical treats to a close.

Paul at the Compton console.

Paul is joined by Adrian Rose.

Forthcoming concerts...


Sunday 18th September... Bob Chilton (in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care).

Bob at the console of the WurliTzer (Howden-le-Wear)

Bob is a most accomplished pianist, and is in demand to direct local choral and operatic productions. He is also a most talented organist with a wide-ranging musical repertoire. Bob is well known as the musical arranger and accompanist for the popular Shiney Row Male Voice Choir. He is giving his time and talents today to help Macmillan Cancer Care and we are looking for the strongest support for this excellent cause.

Sunday 16th October... Cameron Lloyd.

Cameron Lloyd at Ryhope 2015 (NW)

Cameron Lloyd was born in 1980 and became interested in the organ at age 11. A visit to Blackpool Tower at the age of 12 resulted in him being "hooked" on the sound of the WurliTzer organ. He was guided by the Wolverhampton City Organist to establish his accomplished style of playing. He plays for concerts and ballroom/sequence dancing all over the UK and his diary is full to overflowing! In 1999 he fulfilled his ambition to play the famous Tower Ballroom WurliTzer and has returned several times to continue the experience. He is a talented organ restorer and has been part of the team returning a WurliTzer organ to the Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens (Blackpool).
A splendid afternoon of music in the "Blackpool Style" is in store.

Sunday 11th December (Christmas Concert)... Chris Powell.

Chris Powell (COS)

Born 1971 in Manchester and by 1977 Chris was receiving organ & piano lessons and was also keen chorister. By the age of 16 he was playing for concerts and dances in Lancashire and West Yorkshire. He soon became part of the Blackpool Tower team of organists playing their mighty WurliTzer. Chris is a demonstrator for Farfisa, Orla and Roland organs and he has to his credit 12 best-selling albums, and has broadcast many times on Radio and TV. He plays concerts at venues all over the country and travels from his home in Derbyshire to play for us.

Recent repair & maintenance of the Compton Organ...

With thanks to the County Durham Community Foundation (Sharpley fund) and the Community Trust Tyne/Wear/ Northumberland (Willis fund), the Society were supported by two small grants to enable vital repair and maintenance work to be undertaken on the organ during March 2016. We were pleased to engage the talents of Kevin Grunill (Pennine Organ Services) who came to assess the job and carry out the extensive repairs. It is well known in the "organ world" that Kevin is a theatre organ restoration specialist and he gave the organ expert attention which had not been carried out for some years. The work included attention to combination setter, thumb piston actions, testing every stop unit and adjustment to springs and actions, repair of faulty stops and attention to coupler relays. Testing of the organ following this intervention has shown a noticeable difference, and we thank Kevin for his work.

The splendid John Compton console is opened up for repairs.

Kevin resoldering contacts.

More complicated work revealed.

Complicated links and relays.

Behind the console view.

Pedal board and swell.

Kevin undergoing his marathon soldering work.

Kevin "stop testing".

Repair of faulty stop units.

Open afternoons every 2nd and 4th Sundays (1.30pm-3.30pm)...

David gives us a tune.

Come and listen to, or perhaps play the Compton Organ Ryhope Community Centre, Black Road, Ryhope, Sunderland SR2 0RX (use side red door).
 
From the archives...

Pipe refurbishment with Ian & Joe in 2010.

Len Rawle at the Compton.

Odeon Kiosk with Sunderland Theatre Organ Soc. sales c1980

Edwin assists with the Compton installation work at Ryhope Community Centre.

posted by Neville
concert/membership details please email ryhopecomptonorgan@gmail.com
the concert programme can also be found on www.organfax.co.uk
see our "Facebook" page just type into the search...Sunderland Theatre Organ Preservation Society.