Telephone Number : 01903 416 994 or 07748 113 975
Email address : mw@michaelwooldridge.co.uk
Website : www.michaelwooldridge.co.uk
Address : PO Box 3403, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN16 9JR
As heard playing live to 5 million people on BBC Radio 2's 'Steve Wright in the Afternoon'!
Michael is a master musician, skilled with the theatre, electronic and classical organ, piano and keyboard. He loves all kinds of music, so whether you are planning a Concert, Wedding, Dance, Cocktail Party, Show or, in fact, any event where you need the very finest music possible, he is the person you need to call.
Michael is often heard on BBC Radio 2's ever popular programme, The Organist Entertains, and amongst many varied and interesting jobs, has played the Theatre Organ for HRH Prince Charles at the Odeon, Leicester Square and appeared as organ and piano soloist with the legendary Mantovani Orchestra.
Since winning the prestigious ATOS UK Young Theatre Organist of the Year Competition in 1980, Michael has remained a firm favourite in concert at electronic and theatre organ societies and, besides extensively touring the UK, has travelled to Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Ireland, Dubai and Australia. With a very extensive repertoire in many, many styles, his concert programmes are packed with popular music in all styles, orchestral, big band, shows, theatre organ, classical, rock and roll and much more, including many very well known pieces perhaps not often heard at organ concerts but always very much enjoyed.
Michael is a fully fledged show producer, having staged countless touring shows, summer seasons and pantos throughout the UK. He feels extrememly privileged to work with many of the stars he grew up admiring on television, including Supersonic Syd Little, Crackerjack and Good Morning Sunday's Don Maclean, stars of the Black and White Minstrel Show, top piano entertainer Bobby Crush, master magician Paul Daniels and, from Ireland, the hilarious Jimmy Cricket and Eurovision Song Contest winner, Dana.
He has always loved musical theatre so loves working in the orchestra pit, where he has played for a huge number of shows, including countless such favourites as Oklahoma, My Fair Lady, Carousel and Fiddler On The Roof. More unusual shows have included Cy Coleman's fabulous show, The Will Rogers' Follies: A Life In Review, As Happy As A Sandbag and in rehearsal, the 40th Aniversary production of Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice's very first show, The Likes Of Us. He's even worked with some tribute bands, first the top Madness Tribute, the Los Palmas 6, and then, during 2013, he enjoyed many theatre dates playing with tribute show The Fabulous Shadows, featuring with the UK's number one tribute artist, as voted by the Agents Association of Great Britain, Jimmy Jemain as Sir Cliff Richard.
Whilst he has a range of different organs, digital pianos and keyboards, Michael is now mostly touring with a bespoke Roland organ, which gives him a three manual Atelier for use as a stunning instrument in its own right but also as the console controlling a range of Virtual Pipe Organs including the Paramount series of Wurlitzer organs from the 3/10 through to the 50 rank flagship, the 3/12 Barton of Detroit's Redford Theatre and the Lavender Audio samples of the superb Binns Organ at the Old Independent Church in Haverhill.
He is now thrilled to pass on his knowledge and experience through his private teaching practice, giving pupils lessons in their own homes on their own organs, pianos and keyboards, or with students from further afield visiting his home for tuition. He is principal tutor at the Rye Wurlitzer Academy and spent three years as electronic organ tutor for Sussex University. Outside of normal lessons, he also makes one off visits to people to assist with how to get more from their own instruments.
Alongside his performances and teaching, Michael is now publishes the 'Organ and Keyboard Cavalcade' magazine, continuing its long tradition of supporting the keyboard, organ and digital piano world in the UK, plus bringing in new features to add interest. To view a past issue, join the free e-newsletter and to subscribe, visit www.CavalcadeProductions.co.uk
Concerts in 2021 | |
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May 8th | Leeds, City Varieties - Michael is MD for the Spirit of the Blitz Show (more details) 2.00pm, 0113 243 0808 |
May 9th | Blackpool Organ Festival (more details) Michael plays and hosts - Info at cavalcadeproductions.co.uk |
May 10th | Blackpool Organ Festival (more details) Michael plays and hosts - Info at cavalcadeproductions.co.uk |
May 11th | Blackpool Organ Festival (more details) Michael plays and hosts - Info at cavalcadeproductions.co.uk |
May 12th | Blackpool Organ Festival (more details) Michael plays and hosts - Info at cavalcadeproductions.co.uk |
May 17th | St Audries Bay (more details) Michael plays a couple of concerts at the 5 night organ festival - 01984 632 515 |
May 18th | St Audries Bay (more details) Michael plays a couple of concerts at the 5 night organ festival - 01984 632 515 |
June 1st | Bexley Music Club |
June 6th | Hunstanton - Those Were The Days Variety Show (more details) 2.30pm, Princess Theatre, 01485 532 252, Nostalgic Musical Variety Show featuring Andy Eastwood, Maggie OHara and Pete Lindup |
June 24th | Kingswinford and District Organ Society (more details) Duet Concert with David Ingley, Film and Movie Music Special |
June 28th | Association of Organ Enthusiasts (AOE) (more details) Evening Concert, Mercure Bewdley The Heath Hotel |
June 29th | Association of Organ Enthusiasts (AOE) (more details) Informal Morning Concert, Mercure Bewdley The Heath Hotel |
August 14th | Astoria Centre |
August 19th | Sussex Keyboard and Organ Club (more details) with the young stars from the Rye Wurlitzer Academy |
August 26th | Stockport Organ & Keyboard Club (more details) Covid 19 - check with Tony Tyreman for latest update |
August 27th | Cinema Organ Society - Northern District (more details) Michael plays a concert for the Northern Convention |
September 27th | Pakefield Organ Festival (more details) Michael plays and hosts - Info at cavalcadeproductions.co.uk |
September 28th | Pakefield Organ Festival (more details) Michael plays and hosts - Info at cavalcadeproductions.co.uk |
September 29th | Pakefield Organ Festival (more details) Michael plays and hosts - Info at cavalcadeproductions.co.uk |
September 30th | Pakefield Organ Festival (more details) Michael plays and hosts - Info at cavalcadeproductions.co.uk |
October 12th | Crewe - Those Were The Days Variety Show (more details) 2.00pm, Lyceum Theatre, 01270 368 242, Nostalgic Musical Variety Show featuring Andy Eastwood, Maggie O'Hara and Pete Lindup |
October 16th | Titchfield Come Dancing (more details) 7pm-10.30pm at Titchfield Community Association, Mill Street, PO14 4AB |
October 29th | Yamaha Club Festival Event (more details) Michael plays and hosts - Info at cavalcadeproductions.co.uk |
October 30th | Yamaha Club Festival Event (more details) Michael plays and hosts - Info at cavalcadeproductions.co.uk |
October 31st | Yamaha Club Festival Event (more details) Michael plays and hosts - Info at cavalcadeproductions.co.uk |
November 3rd | Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust - Heritage Centre |
November 3rd | Grimsby Keyboard & Electronic Organ Club |
November 5th | Switzerland (more details) Michael is special guest playing Wurlitzer Theatre Organ and Hammond B3 for a weekend event at The Dream Factory, Degersheim - www.orgelsurium.ch |
November 6th | Switzerland (more details) Michael is special guest playing Wurlitzer Theatre Organ and Hammond B3 for a weekend event at The Dream Factory, Degersheim - www.orgelsurium.ch |
November 7th | Switzerland (more details) Michael is special guest playing Wurlitzer Theatre Organ and Hammond B3 for a weekend event at The Dream Factory, Degersheim - www.orgelsurium.ch |
November 14th | Scottish Cinema Organ Trust (COS) |
November 24th | Littlehampton - Windmill Theatre - Musical (more details) Michael is MD for the annual Stage Door Theatre Company Amateur Musical, 7.30pm each evening plus 2.30pm on Saturday, 01903 856 801 |
November 25th | Littlehampton - Windmill Theatre - Musical (more details) Michael is MD for the annual Stage Door Theatre Company Amateur Musical, 7.30pm each evening plus 2.30pm on Saturday, 01903 856 801 |
November 26th | Littlehampton - Windmill Theatre - Musical (more details) Michael is MD for the annual Stage Door Theatre Company Amateur Musical, 7.30pm each evening plus 2.30pm on Saturday, 01903 856 801 |
November 27th | Littlehampton - Windmill Theatre - Musical (more details) Michael is MD for the annual Stage Door Theatre Company Amateur Musical, 7.30pm each evening plus 2.30pm on Saturday, 01903 856 801 |
November 28th | Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust - Stockport |
December 12th | Cinema Organ Society - Northern District |
December 21st | Bournemouth Electronic Organ Society |
Concerts in 2022 | |
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February 16th | Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust - Heritage Centre |
February 17th | Stockport Plaza Theatre - Spirit of the Blitz Show (more details) 2.30pm, Nostalgic Musical Variety Show featuring Andy Eastwood, Maggie O'Hara and Pete Lindup, 0161 477 7779 |
April 30th | Titchfield Come Dancing (more details) 7pm-10.30pm at Titchfield Community Association, Mill Street, PO14 4AB |
May 21st | Clacton Spirit of the Blitz Show (more details) 2.30pm, Westcliff Theatre, 01255 433 344, Nostalgic Musical Variety Show featuring Andy Eastwood, Maggie O'Hara and Pete Lindup |
June 12th | Lincoln - Spirit of the Blitz Show (more details) 3pm, New Theatre Royal, 01522 519 999, Nostalgic Musical Variety Show featuring Andy Eastwood, Maggie OHara and Pete Lindup |