OrganFax News

New West Country Music Shop Opens with Peter Baartmans Show

Thursday 30th November

We are delighted to let you know that a new music shop is opening in Exeter on Saturday 2nd December and, for their first day, they have incredible Dutch musician Peter Baartmans playing an evening concert on the fabulous new Yamaha Genos2.

The Music Depot is at 99-101 Fore Street, Exeter, EX4 3HY and is run by a well experienced team, as they previously ran the Exeter branch of Musicroom, the chain operated by music publisher, Hal Leonard Europe, who sadly closed the branch.

They will be stocking digital and acoustic pianos, keyboards, acoustic guitars, ukuleles, sheet music and keyboard accessories and, with Yamaha as one of their leading brands, are thrilled to have top international Yamaha player, Peter Baartmans for their opening event.

If you would like to attend this very special evening, email rupert@themusicdepot.co.uk or, once they're open, pop in for a warm welcome and to browse the new store.

Len Rawle MBE Passes Away

Tuesday 14th November

It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of master musician Len Rawle MBE earlier today, 14th November 2023.

Len was largely responsible for the establishment of the Yamaha organ dealer network and Yamaha Music Schools in the UK, and his skills were integral to the design of a number of Yamaha organs.

He was also a highly regarded theatre organist all around the world and personally was involved with saving over 40 theatre organs, including superb instruments in his parents' home, Wurlitzer Lodge, Northolt, and the fabulous Empire Leicester Square Wurlitzer in his home, Tonawanda, Chorleywood, where it was featured on countless television programmes and broadcasts over a period of 50 years, until its removal for installation in a safe new home just a few years ago.

His knowledge, enthusiasm and support will be much missed by a huge number of people all around the world, and we send our deepest sympathy and condolences to his widow, Judith, and all the family.

Yamaha UK MD Sleeps Out to Support the Homeless

Friday 27th October

Mark Rolfe, Managing Director of Yamaha Music UK, has signed up to the CEO Sleepout to raise awareness of homeless people to help the growing crisis on our streets. 

Mark has been part of the team at Yamaha UK since first joining in the late 1980s and has always been an advocate for supporting not just the music industry but also for worthy causes within the local community and this is no different.  He will be sleeping on the streets of Milton Keynes to raise awareness for the plight of the homeless and, most importantly, to raise money to help.  There are only 3 weeks until the magical day, 16^th November.

It is great that Mark is going to such lengths for this very good cause and we hope you will feel able to support him in the challenge by making a donation by following this link to his Just Giving page.  (Link opens in new tab)

We send Mark our very best wishes and support for this important endeavour.

Silent Movie Night in Gosport

Monday 23rd October

The clock is turning back 100 years in Gosport at 7.30pm on Thursday 2nd November, when Donald MacKenzie, Resident Organist at the UK's premier cinema, the Odeon, Leicester Square, will play his live score on the Compton organ to accompany a screening of Harold Lloyd's hilarious 1923 film, Safety Last.

A night not to be missed.

Admission is just £8.00 each, with free parking from 7pm,

The venue is the Thorngate Halls, Bury Road, Gosport, PO12 3PX, and the show is being presented by the Gosport Compton Theatre Organ Group,  You can see more about them and the organ on their OrganFax Page.

Harworth Celebrate 50 Years of Music

Monday 23rd October

Congratulations to the committee & members of the Harworth Organ Enthusiasts (H.O.E.) on the celebration of their 50th anniversary!

A special celebratory concert afternoon featured organists Joanne Powell, Philip Randles and David Redfern, all of whom have been popular regular performers on the Christie since they were known as the group's young organists, though that wasn't quite the full 50 years ago!

Well done to all at H.O.E. for all the hard work over many years to keep the venue successful.  Here's to the next 50!

Jean Martyn draws Yamaha Weekend Winner

Tuesday 10th October

We have a winner!

At the recent Pakefield Festival, Jean Martyn, music star from ITV's Britain's Got Talent, the Sun Bingo TV Show and much more, joined Yamaha's Paul Thirkettle to draw the winner from hundreds of entries received for the joint Yamaha UK and Cavalcade Productions 'Win A Holiday' Competition.

Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Bowyer-Lowe from Biggleswade, who have won a fabulous weekend away at the four star Yamaha Weekend Xperience in November.

If you're not the lucky winner, you can still come along for a wonderful weekend of music, packed with star players and the opportunity to see and try all the latest Yamaha keyboard instruments.

You don't have to play or own a Yamaha to come along, just enjoy good music in lovely surroundings with lovely food!

For more information visit Cavalcade Productions (opens in new window).