The Woking Wurlitzer

OrganFax Directory

Woking Wurlitzer

Telephone Number :  07748 113 975

Email address :  michael@wokingwurlitzer.co.uk

Website :  www.atos-london.co.uk/woking-wurlitzer

Contact name :  Michael Wooldridge

Venue address : Wurlitzer Hall, Woking Leisure Centre, Woking Park, Kingfield Road, Woking, Surrey, GU22 9BA

About Woking Wurlitzer

Our friendly concerts normally begin at 7pm (except for December, which is an afternoon event) and feature a wide range of popular music for all, played by very top players from around the the UK and, indeed, around the world.  A typical programme might include show music, big band music, 60s and 70s favourites, popular light classics and much more.

Admission to our concerts is just £12.00 per person (£10.00 for ATOS Chapter Members on production of a valid membership card), with FREE ADMISSION for children (16 and under) with a paying adult.  Tea and Coffee is available at the interval for a nominal contribution.

Please note that the car park has an evening flat rate payable of £2.20, which covers from 6pm till 6am.

The Woking Wurlitzer started life at the Granada Cinema in Welling, South East London, where it was opened on 22nd November 1937.  A 3c/8, it was one of the six outstanding 'Super 8' Wurlitzer theatre organs of this design installed in London cinemas.  The only one remaining in its original home is at the Granada Cinema in Harrow, but sadly that is currently unusable.

When the cinema closed, the organ was purchased by the London and South of England Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) and restored by the technical team under the leadership of Les Rawle.  It opened in its new home, Wurlitzer Hall, Woking, in August 1995.

The organ has been musically enhanced to now be a 3/19 Wurlitzer, three keyboards and nineteen ranks of pipes, giving a superb, rich and powerful sound, that can be played from a whisper through to full organ.  Being a theatre organ, it also has lots of real percussion instruments, drums, cymbals, glockenspiel, xylophone and more, all played live by the organist from the console.

You can also follow us on Facebook for our latest news by searching for 'The Woking Wurlitzer', or by going direct to https://www.facebook.com/groups/1144026449815187

Alongside our activities at Woking, in 1978 we established the UK Young Theatre Organist of the Year Competition, an event which has encouraged many of today's top professional players on their musical journey and, whilst we have had to break off from this due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is hoped we may be able to re-establish the contest before too long.  Our format proved so successful that a similar event was subsequently established in America as an international contest and where we are proud to have enjoyed many successes with UK winners.

We look forward to welcoming you to Wurlitzer Hall.

Woking Wurlitzer's Photo Gallery

The Woking Wurlitzer ATOS Chapter Trustees, Organists Len Rawle MBE and Michael Wooldridge Young organist Jack Morton playing a fabulous cameo in the Christmas 2022 Open Afternoon A packed venue for Blackpool Tower Ballroom's Star Resident Organist Phil Kelsall MBE Two nationally recognised organists in conversation, Len Rawle MBE and Phil Kelsall MBE Andrew Nix in Concert The end of a super concert with Jamyma Hanson and Len Rawle MBE

Woking Wurlitzer's Concert Diary

2023
February 11thPhil Kelsall MBE
March 25thAndy Quin
May 20thRichard Hills
July 8thMichael Wooldridge (more details)

with Jamyma Hanson

July 8thJamyma Hanson (more details)

Playing some solos and duets at the Wurlitzer with Michael Wooldridge

September 16thTop Australian Organist, Chris McPhee
October 21stThe welcome return of John Atwell from Australia
November 11thChris Stanbury
December 16thMichael Wooldridge (more details)

Christmas Open Console afternoon featuring Michael, and an Open Console for all to try. 2.30pm start

December 16th2.30pm, Festive Open House with Michael Wooldridge and an open console for anyone who would like to play
2024
February 10thAndrew Nix
March 9thDavid Lobban
April 13thByron Jones B.E.M
May 11thJohn Mann
June 15thDeclan Poole
July 13thDavid Lowe
September 14thMark Laflin
October 12thSimon Gledhill
November 9thGordon Cree
December 14thMichael Wooldridge (more details)

2.30pm - Festive Afternoon with Michael and an Open Console for anyone who wishes to play the Wurlitzer

December 14th2.30pm, Festive Open House with Michael Wooldridge and an open console for anyone who would like to play