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Please note that the latest news does not always appear at the top of the page. Look out for regular updates during the current month. Dated items are now removed after the event during the month in which they appear. The version number changes with every update |
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Wurlitzer Week 09 Special Events at Beer 22nd-29th August 2009 A week long opportunity to see and hear Britain's oldest Wurlitzer cinema organ at The Congregational Church, Fore Street, Beer, East Devon. Saturday 22nd August, 2:30pm Opening Show with Matthew Bason Tuesday 27th August - Open console day - chance to play the Wurlitzer Thursday 27th August, 7:00pm Gala Show with Carlo Curley Details Friday,28th August, 12:30pm FREE Lunchtime Show with Chris Thompson Saurday, 29th August, 2:30pm Finale Show with Trevor Bolshaw Open Day - Monday to Friday with Exhibitiona and Demonstrations Full details can be seen on www.beerwurly.co.uk 18.7.09 |
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Another Organfax Founder Passes Away Sad loss of Tom Ricketts 
We are sad to report the the death of Tom Ricketts on 23rd June 2009 at the age of 76.
Tom was an original member of the Organfax team, which included the late Margaret Falkner and her husband Alan.In fact Alan Falkner says it was Tom who encouraged Margaret to start designing websites for organ/keyboard clubs after she had successfully designed one for Crawley Keyboard Club, of which she was Secretary and Tom the Treasurer. Tom's role in Organfax was to collect information and concert lists from clubs and maintain a database. He was also the Organfax Treasurer and an expert on Microsoft's Excel software, designing the programme for the accounts, which could also be used by organ-keyboard players. We extend our sympathy to his son, daughter and their families. 1.7.09 |
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Best selling Albums/Books at Organ1st During June 2009 1....2CD) Ken Griffin - At The Organ (Drifting and Dreaming) 2....(CD) Donald MacKenzie - London Pride 3....(CD) Phil Kelsall - At The Worthing Wurlitzer 4....(CD) Andrew Nix - Crazy Rhythm 5....(2CD) Reginald Dixon - At The Organ (50 Theatre Organ Medleys & Hits from the 1950s) 6....(DVD) Claudia Hirschfeld - Heimspiel (Live in Her Home Town) 7....(CD) Jelani Eddington - From This Moment On 8....(DVD) Phil Kelsall - 25th Anniversary at The Tower, Blackpool 9....(CD) Andrew Nix - Thank You For The Music 10....(CD) DirkJan Ranzijn - With Heart & Soul Please note that this list many differ to the one on the Organ1st website because the above includes all their mail, telephone and Internet sales, compared to only the Internet on their website. Details of the CDs, DVDs and books - including some audio samples, are on the Organ1st website. Organ1st CD Shop for your postal and on-line shopping - including links to Organ1st Radio The July programme is now on-line for your listening pleasure. Updated 1.7.09 |
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New website addition New Guestbook for visitors We are pleased to report that we have become more interactive and now have a visitors guestbook for leaving messages for everyone to see. If you have anything to say, or want to get something off your chest, then you now have the opportunity to do so. There is also a FEEDBACK facility for leaving messages for the editorial team. It's all on our new website extension. New website extension Updated 1.7.09 |
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Sand Bay - Weston-Super-Mare - 2009 New Keyboard Experience - Bargain of the year - Filling up fast Full Board weekend - only £129 16th-19th October 2009 Bookings now being taken - Telephone 0845 880 0211 (local rate) or 01934 428200 More details Holiday Selection Updated 1,7,09 |
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Keyboard Komedy Weekend for next year 19th-22nd March 2010 New venue: Devonshire Hotel, Torquay. LATE EXTRA.... There are only 6 rooms left for this event. See full details Updated 1.7.09 |
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Forthcoming Special Events and Concerts Details of all forthcoming concerts and special events can be found through the following links:- Organfax monthly concert listing ORGANfax club directory If your society does not have its own website and presence on the Internet, then ORGANfax will be pleased to make one for you - please enquire via the contact link:- Contact ORGANfax Updated 1.7.09 |
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Alan Ashton's July Video Choice From YOUTUBE "My choice this month is a little different and it features Klaas Jan Mulder a famous Dutch organist, conductor & pianist who was born on the 21st of May 1930, and died in November of last year. There are many fine examples of his playing on You-Tube…this being but one. When I first saw it, my mind went back to the days of black & white TV and the emergence in 1959 of the Jacque Loussier Trio which comprised of Loussier as pianist, Pierre Michelot on bass, and Christian Garros as percussionist. The group performed interpretations of Bach's works and had many live appearances, tours, and concerts, as well as a number of recordings. In total, the trio sold over six million albums and became very rich indeed. Much has been written about organ music on TV ( or rather the lack of it ) but I can’t help thinking when I see the beautiful, emotive and technical presentation of the Klaas Jan Mulder examples, that British TV Producers have very blinkered vision. Would you not agree?" ........ Alan 1.7.09 |
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BBC presenter is an organist and highlights another player's album 
Chris Needs (pictured left) was an organ-keyboard entertainer before joining BBC Radio Wales as a radio presenter. His late night show runs from 10:00pm to midnight on week days and has very high listening figures nationwide on digital TV and the Internet in addition to stereo FM and AM bands on home and car radios.Chris has a very distinctive approach to broadcasting and has a listening club he calls his garden where every member has their own membership number. He talks to listeners on air in a very informal manner and many have become his personal friends. In June Chris selected one of Ian Griffin's CD's as album of the week, playing at least two tracks on each show. Chris always features easy listening music, knowing that many are listening to his show on their bedside radios. Chris Needs - BBC website Updated 1.7.09 |
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New Website for Organists .... and especially their fans 
A new exciting website is being developed by Ian King of Organ1st. It links organ-keyboard players to their recordings in a way not done before. Apart from featuring players CDs and DVDs, it gives a mini profile of the artiste, which could very well be the deciding factor in buying an album. As an organist-keyboard player himself, Ian understands the need for players to become better known by those comtemplating a purchase of an album. For an instance, it is nice to know if a player has been a resident organist at the Blackpool Tower or a well known holiday centre. Some players play for dancing while others don't. These are likely details to be added as the website is developed over the next few months.The new website also includes easy access to Organ1st Internet Radio, the monthly progamme produced and presented by Alan Ashton with a film slide show by Ian King. The new website has access links to the new style Organ1st Internet shop where a selection of books are available in addition to the recordings by players. The new website: www.organists.co.uk The Organ1st Internet Shop: www.organs.co.uk 12.6.09 |
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All the stops being pulled out at Beer Carlo Curly is coming to town Thursday. 27th August 2009 - 7:00pm Tickets £15 (includes buffet) 
Glen Twamley writes: "We're pulling all the stops out at Beer.
Carlo Curley playing England's oldest Wurlitzer theatre organ, plus the William Hill & Sons organ across the road at St. Michael's Church, plus a buffet during the interval, is lined up for the above date."CARLO CURLEY is one of the world’s foremost concert organists. Born into a musical family in North Carolina (USA) in 1952, he attended the North Carolina School of the Arts and coached privately with renowned pedagogues Arthur Poister and Robert Elmore. Ultimately, he studied with two of the world’s greatest organists: America’s legendary Virgil Fox and Great Britain’s Sir George Thalben-Ball. Tickets in advance only as space is limited. For full details on how to obtain tickets Click here What's on at Beer Carlo Curly's website View one of many Carlo Curley's You Tube videos Updated 1.7.09 |
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Folly Farm Wurlitzer at Wales' Merry-go-round Report on Great opening Show on 2nd May 
John Mann was delighted to be the first star player to play the Folly Farm Wurlitzer organ that was once installed at the Gaumont, Manchester and later at the Granada Studios tour complex. Folly Farm, Pembrokeshire, is a family leisure and adventure complex that can be compared with the Thursford Museum in Norfolk and the once famous Turners Merry-go-round, Northampton, that closed in July 2004 - both homes of Wurlitzer pipe organs from cinema installations. 
John (pictured right) delighted the capacity crowd of around 400 organ enthusiasts with a very varied programme that highlighted all the sounds from the fine instrument that was originally built in 1935.First time visitors were surprised at the size of the Folly Farm leisure complex, where to the rear of the hall where the organ is installed there is a 900 seat theatre for stage shows. The site has been developed by the enthusiastic owner and director, Glyn Williams, and is a popular attaction for young families. In fact the location of the organ is such that it is likely to create interest with the younger generation. The instrument is owned by Paul Kirner who has given it to Folly Farm on long term loan basis. Judging by the success of the show, with basket meals at half time, there will be many more events in the future. Watch this space for more news. In the meantime visit the Folly Farm website LATE EXTRA John Mann - Birthday show in June John's 70th Birthday Show at at the Brighton Dome on Sunday, 21st June 2009 was a great success with a packed house See details, John Mann - Special show in July The John Mann Music Show, with special guest Iain Flitcroft, is being staged by the Weyhill Electronic Organ Society at The Lights Theatre in Andover on Friday 3 July at 7.30 p.m. Tickets are priced at £5.00 and are available from the Theatre Box Office (01264 368368); seats can also be booked online at www.thelights.org.uk See John Mann's web site for all his other shows 26.5.09 |
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News from John Walker Wants to sell one of his organs John Walker writes: "I have decided to sell one of my Yamaha HX1's. If any reader should know of anybody who my be interested, perhaps you would be kind enough to pass on the following link: http://www.digitalorchestra.co.uk/HX1%20For%20Sale.html 23.5.09 |
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EARLY BIRD BOOKING NOTICE NEW Sand Bay Keyboard Spectacular 16th - 19th October 2009 
The Lyme Bay Keyboard Experience is moving to Sand Bay, Weston-Super-Mare in North Somerset for a weekend of glorious electronic organ-keyboard entertainment with the most varied programme ever devised for music lovers. The special event is under the direction of Cled and Ian Griffin (right) and the team that introduced home organ festivals to the UK in 1980.
The host and presenter is Andy Oakley (left), Britain's most talented comedian and entertainer. The programme includes concerts, masterclasses, dancing and cabaret plus a ladies craft section for making greeting cards. It will be a weekend to suit adults of all ages.The refurbished site includes an indoor swimming pool and all the leisure activities associated with the long established leisure resort run by Hollybush Hotels under the new brand name of Martyn's Leisure Breaks. The full board weekend is at the remarkable low price of £129 per person with optional cancellation insurance of £4, which means you can book with no worries whatsoever. There is also a group booking facility with arranged transport for organ societies and keyboard clubs. There is a choice of menu for all tastes with meals served to your table. The comfortable en-suite accommodation includes coffee/tea facilities and television. For the car traveller there is secure free on site parking. It's easy to book - just telephone the reservations hotline: 0845 8800211 (local rate) or reception: 01934 428200. A £30 deposit will secure your place - remember, it's wise to book early for this extra special event. You will not find another similar event in the UK that can beat this one on price and value. 2.4.09 |
Jan-April 2009 A review of 2008 December 2008 Page 1 part 2 for 2008 news Page 2 for more news Page 3 for more news Return to top of page |
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