OrganFax news brings you all the latest from the world of the organ and keyboard. From new product launches, to festivals and other exciting events. Please feel free to contact us with any news you would like featured on this page.
There is to be a charity concert featuring top organist Rod Pooley at 2pm on Sunday 13th April at Gosberton Youth Centre, 21 High Street, Gosberton, Spalding, PE11 4NW. A great afternoon music, it will be raising funds for the Youth Centre, with admission just £7, or £10 with a cream tea.
Book your tickets now by calling 07747 314 390.
The Rye Wurlitzer team have been in touch to say that, unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond their control, the concert planned for 23rd February has been postponed, so the next event at Rye will be featuring the incredible internationally renowned jazz singer Liane Carroll, Michael Wooldridge at the Wurlitzer, drummer Dean Morris and a Fish and Chip Supper at 7.15pm on Friday 7th March.
They also have the Wurlitzer's 100th Anniversary Variety Show with an all star cast, including two top organists and a cream tea, coming up at 2.30pm on Sunday 6th April. Already, two thirds of the seats for this event have been sold, including two coach loads attending, just like in the old days, so do please reserve your seats as soon as possible by calling Richard on 01424 444 058.
www.RyeWurlitzerAcademy.co.uk (opens in new tab)
The Horsham concert at 2.30pm on Wednesday 12th February will now be played by the Blackpool Tower's Elizabeth Harrison, who couldn't make it when she was snowed in last month!
Chris Stanbury will now play on 14th May.
More information on the Horsham MelodyTimes Website (opens in a new tab).
Keyboard Cavalcade this year celebrates 40 years of running the UK's biggest organ festivals, with more players being featured at each holiday than at any other UK event, and with a large and loyal band of attendees, who come along to enjoy the music all day every day, the great value for money and the warm welcome.
Why not join in the celebrations at this year's events in Hemsby (March and end of September) and Blackpool (May). You're assured of a friendly atmosphere, lovely surroundings, a great line up of players and, of course, super accommodation and meals.
For more information visit the Keyboard Cavalcade Website (opens in new window).
Once again, our friends at St. Peter's Church in Cradley, Halesowen, are staging some super free concerts, featuring favourite entertainment organists on their fine Compton organ. All concerts have Free Admission. Make a note of this year's dates:
Saturday 18th January - 2.30pm - Organists On Parade - Celebrating the 120th Birthday of Reginald Dixon! with Cameron Lloyd, Damon Willetts, Alec Walters and David Lobban
Saturday 5th July - 2.30pm - Michael Carter with Music from the Movies & More! Lots of well known tunes played on the Cradley Compton and Yamaha Stagea
Saturday 13th September - 2.30pm - An afternoon of Music for Wonderful Weddings with Victoria Barlow playing the Compton and Piano
Saturday 15th November - 7.00pm - Silent Film Night with live accompaniment by master musician David Ivory at the Compton Organ
For more information about these and other non-organ/keyboard events, call 0121 550 1158
Our world of music has been blessed with quite a number or awards over the years, including MBEs for Phil Kelsall and the late Len Rawle, and BEMs for Byron Jones amd Nicholas Martin.
We are thrilled to announce that in the 2025 New Year Honours, His Majesty King Charles III has awarded Richard Moore the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his 'Services to Music Education and Preservation in East Sussex'.
Richard has worked tirelessly supporting many different charitable organisations for around 50 years but is best known to us for encouraging many, many young people to play the organ at the Rye Wurlitzer Academy and TPOPS Academy, and also for ensuring a safe and secure future for the historic Rye Wurlitzer, with a very special celebration concert (with two organists, variety stars, comedy silent film and cream tea) planned for its 100th birthday on 6th April 2025 (see the Rye Wurlitzer page in our Club Directory for details).
Richard is now also sometimes seen helping out at Cavalcade Festivals, so you will be able to congratulate him in person if you come aong to the 40th anniversary Hemsby Festival in March!
Congratulations, Richard Moore BEM.