OrganFax News

Casio Launches Prize Competition for Singer Songwriters

Wednesday 30th April

Casio UK has announced the return of its beloved singer-songwriter competition, Casio Sessions.  Applications are now open, so Casio is inviting all UK-based piano-playing songwriters to enter for a chance to win the top prize.

Now in its third year, Casio Sessions is excited to continue the momentum, giving a new group of musicians the opportunity to showcase their talents for a chance to win a fantastic prize: a Casio PX-S7000 piano, worth £2,249, plus an exclusive mastering studio session for their winning song, with the song then pressed to a limited run of vinyl- courtesy of competition partner and physical music manufacturer Breed Media.

Musicians can now enter online by submitting a video of them performing an original composition on the piano - covers will not be accepted. Twelve musicians will then be picked to perform in the live final at the stylish east London jazz bar, Ninety One Living Room, on Wednesday 17th September 2025.

Finalists will perform in front of a crowd of passionate music fans and a panel of judges, who will assess them on their songwriting and technical skills as well as their stage presence.  During their performance, the artists will use Casio’s award-winning PX-S7000, in the stunning Harmonious Mustard finish, the same model that the lucky winner will take home.

For the past two years, the judges have been so blown away by the talent on display that they have been unable to choose just one winner, and two artists have taken home the top prize.  Last year, Crispin Burton and Dilettante (aka Francesca Pidgeon) were crowned the winners.  Crispin captivated the audience with his deeply personal rendition of ‘If You Hear My Voice' and Dilettante got the audience swaying along to her soulful ballad, ‘I’m in Love with Falling In Love'.  Since winning the competition, Dilettante has released a new album, ‘Life of the Party’, and Crispin is working on an exciting new music project - so expect to hear from him soon.

Casio Sessions is open now.  Musicians can enter the competition here and until the 31st July to enter, T&C’s apply, please visit casio-sessions for more information.

Hector Olivera to visit UK for one special performance

Tuesday 22nd April

Rod Pooley Music is delighted to be staging an amazing concert with one of the world’s finest organists. 

Revered worldwide for his amazing and entertaining talents, a concert with Hector Olivera is an experience like no other!

Hector's 'Organ Magic' Show will be taking place at 7.30pm (doors 7.00pm) on Monday 4th August 2025, when he will be playing the magnificent 4 manual pipe organ of St Wulfram’s Church, Church Street, Grantham, NG31 6RR.

To further enhance the evening, the UK's own Rod Pooley will be performing a half hour supporting concert at the beginning of the evening, in which he will be featuring the incredible Böhm Sempra digital orchestral organ.

Admission is just £20 each, with booking very much recommended for this 'must' see event.

Tickets are now available online by following this link (opens in a new tab).

For more information about the Böhm Sempra visit Bohm UK (opens in a new tab).

DirkJan Ranzijn Makes Long Awaited Return to the UK

Tuesday 22nd April

We are thrilled that top interntaional organist DirkJan Ranzijn is returning to play in the UK for the first time since before Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dirk will be a featured guest organist at this year's Keyboard Cavalcade Autumn Spectacular, held at the end of September at the superb Hemsby Beach Holiday Resort.

For more details of how you can come along to hear Dirk and a host of other top players at this most wonderful of events, visit the Keyboard Cavalcade Website (link opens in new tab).

Dirk is appearing for Cavalcade Productions in association with the UK's Böhm importer, Rod Pooley Music.  if you would like to learn more about the exciting new Böhm instruments, visit their website (link opens in a new tab).  You will also be able to see the instruments on Böhm UK's stand at the Keyboard Cavalcade Autumn Spectacular, another very good reason to come along!

Man City Star, Nathan Aké, donates brand new piano to Manchester-based community venue to mark International Piano Day

Tuesday 1st April

At the weekend, Manchester City footballer and piano player Nathan Aké surprised a Manchester-based community venue with a special donation of a digital piano.

Celebrating International Piano Day on Saturday 29th March, Band on the Wall, a not-for-profit youth music organisation, received a brand new Casio PX-S7000 digital piano, on behalf of Nathan and Casio Music UK. Members got to try it out immediately during the Saturday Music Club session.

The gift is part of a project set up by Nathan Ake and Casio Music UK called ‘Playing For Change’. Set up a year ago in partnership, the project aims to increase the access of the provision of music education around the country. This first-of-a-kind initiative has so far seen 12 CDP-S110 digital Casio pianos donated to disadvantaged schools around the UK experiencing lack of funding in relation to music provision, with more schools due to receive them.

Nathan learnt piano during the first Covid-19 lockdown and testifies to the benefits it brings, such as improved mental wellbeing, mental health, physical health, more focus time and much more. Like Casio, Nathan feels passionately that all children should have access to the benefits of music education. For International Piano Day this year, Nathan donated the brand new, professional range PX-S7000 Casio piano to Band on the Wall, so that it gives even more young people the opportunity to learn.

Bournemouth Concerts Dates Announced

Wednesday 5th March

The superb Compton theatre pipe organ at the wonderful Pavilion Theatre in Westover Road, Bournemouth, BH1 2BU, is once again to be featured in a series of lunchtime concerts this year.

Tuesday 25th March – Elizabeth Harrison 

Thursday 17th April - Andrew Nix 

Thursday 24th April – Lewis Scott

Tuesday 29th April – Michael Wooldridge 

Thursday 8th May – Chris Powell 

Thursday 15th May – Declan Poole 

Tuesday 20th May – Andy Quin 

Thursday 5th June – David Ivory 

Tuesday 17th June – Cameron Lloyd

Tuesday 24th June – Elizabeth Harrison 

Tuesday 1st July – Michael Wooldridge 

It is a joy to just to be in this magnificent venue, and with the fabulous organ as well, it is a not to be missed treat, so do try to attend at least one concert during the season, and hopefully many more.

Admission is just £5 each – tickets at the door - cash only

Doors open at 12.30pm and Concerts start at 1pm and last a good hour

Concerts are subject to change/cancellation

Find us on Facebook - The Compton Organ - Bournemouth Pavilion

Information 01202-055660

A Royal Award in the 2025 New Year Honours

Tuesday 31st December

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.