Tuesday 23 August 2016

SUNDERLAND THEATRE ORGAN PRESERVATION SOCIETY
BASED IN RYHOPE COMMUNITY CENTRE
RYHOPE
SUNDERLAND
TYNE & WEAR
SR2 0RX

LOOKING AFTER THE Ex BLACK'S REGAL/ODEON JOHN COMPTON (3/9) THEATRE ORGAN.


SEPTEMBER 2016.


NEXT CONCERT...

CAMERON LLOYD ON SUNDAY 16th OCTOBER 2016 AT 2.30pm TICKETS AT THE DOOR.

Cameron was born in 1980 and became interested in music and the organ at age 11. In common with so many organists, a visit to the famous Blackpool Tower at the age of 12, Cameron became hooked on the Mighty WurliTzer sound. He was guided by the Wolverhampton City Organist to establish his own distinctive style and sound. He plays for concerts and ballroom/sequence dancing all over the UK and he has a very busy diary. In 1999 he fulfilled his ambition to play the organ in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom and has returned several times to continue the marvellous experience. He has been a part of the team that returned a WurliTzer organ to the Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens at Blackpool. Cameron travels from the Midlands to play for us, and makes a very welcome return to the Ryhope venue.


Always smiling Cameron LLoyd
Cameron at the Blackpool Opera House WurliTzer 2016  (DC)
Cameron at "home" on the Tower WurliTzer.

CHRIS POWELL ON SUNDAY 11th DECEMBER 2016.

Chris was born in 1971 in Manchester and by 1977 he was receiving piano and organ lessons and was a keen chorister. By the age of 16 years he was playing for concerts and dances in West Yorkshire and Lancashire. He became part of the Blackpool Tower team of organists, and is a demonstrator for a number of organ companies including Farfisa and Roland. He has 12 musical albums to his credit, and has broadcast on radio and TV. Chris makes a welcome return to Ryhope and travels from Derbyshire to play for us. An afternoon of Christmas musical delights is in store.

Chris Powell  (COS)

Chris and another WurliTzer  (COS)

DAVID LOBBAN ON SUNDAY 19th FEBRUARY 2017.

David has completed his 21st season at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool and his 39th year as a professional musician. As a chorister in the Jesus College Choir, Cambridge he became interested in the majestic sound of the classical organ, and a similar passion followed for the theatre organ. When the family were living in Weston-super-Mare he visited the Odeon cinema to hear their Mighty Compton organ. A move to Gorleston (Gt. Yarmouth) saw him involved with the Compton/Christie installation in the Palace Bingo Hall. His interest in playing and organ building was encouraged, and he became apprenticed to Hill, Norman, and Beard organ builders. In 1977 he emigrated to Canada to become organist and organ technician for the "Toronto Organ Grinder" a large restaurant complete with a theatre organ providing the entertainment. After a number of years, he returned to the UK setting up home in Blackpool and playing the mighty Tower Ballroom WurliTzer as part of the Tower team of organists. He gives concerts all over the country and we are assured of an afternoon of musical treats from this popular and accomplished organist.

David Lobban at the Blackpool Opera House WurliTzer (Declan Poole)

David at the console of the Tower WurliTzer  Organ

REVIEW OF RECENT CONCERTS...

On Sunday 21st August we welcomed "Society" president Joe Marsh to the console of the Ryhope Compton.  He played a most entertaining programme of music to suit all tastes. Joe played in several cinemas on Tyneside during the 1960's and 70's and is a popular organist on the national concert circuit.


Society president Joe Marsh at the Ryhope Compton (NW)

Bob Chilton from Houghton-le-Spring entertained us on Sunday 18th September with a splendid concert in aid of MACMILLAN cancer support. Bob is musical director and arranger for the locally well known Shiney Row Male Voice Choir and many of the choir members were in attendance. He played a selection of show tunes, rousing marches, and romantic ballads. Such was the variety of his programme which also included pieces from "Kismet", "Les Miserables", the "Merry Widow", "Cats" and a few classical tunes including Saint-saens "the Swan". The performance was interspersed with his humorous anecdotes and at one point he attempted to wind up the organ! His lively finale was a rip roaring "Dam-Busters" march... a magnificent conclusion to a splendid concert, with all the proceeds going to this most worthwhile cause.


Bob Chilton at the Compton (NW)


FROM THE ARCHIVES...

A few organ related memories...


Ticket for the Len Rawle concert at Ryhope in 2003

Reg Dixon farewell concert at the City Hall 1978..ticket 50 pence!

Our Christmas concert organist Chris Powell at Ryhope in 2010.

The former home of the Compton...the Odeon cinema in Holmeside (SAS)

Jess Yates at the Compton  shortly before the  Odeon went over to bingo. (NW)

"Good Luck" from  Jess.. a good organist with a colourful reputation (NW)


posted by Neville
concert/membership information email... ryhopecomptonorgan@gmail.com
see our "Facebook" page for concert details, also the "Organfax" web site.