OrganFax News

Bournemouth Summer and Autumn Concerts Dates Announced

Monday 28th July

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 and special concerts this autumn.

• Thursday 31 July: David Ivory - Compton Organ

• Tuesday 5 August: Mark Speight - Compton Organ

• Thursday 28 August: Declan Poole - Compton Organ

• Thursday 4 September: Michael Wooldridge – Compton Organ & Steinway Piano

• Thursday 11 September: Chris Powell – Compton Organ

• Tuesday 23 September: Byron Jones BEM – Compton Organ and Steinway Piano

• Thursday 2 October: Andy Quin – Compton Organ & Steinway Piano

• Thursday 9 October: Cameron Lloyd – Compton Organ

• Tuesday 4 November: Aaron Hawthorne – Compton Organ & Steinway Piano

Doors open at 12.30pm, concerts start at 1pm and last one hour. Concerts are subject to change/cancellation.

Special events:

• Tuesday 4 November, 8pm: Aaron Hawthorne will be conducting a live score to the 1925 silent film The Phantom of the Opera! Tickets from £10 - £12 (fees apply).  https://www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk/events/phantom-of-the-opera-2025

• Thursday 18 December, 2:30pm: Join us for a special Christmas Cracker Concert featuring music from Michael Wooldridge and Ian Carter and the choir from the Bournemouth and Boscombe Light Opera Company. This event is free entry.

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

Stilton In Tune to Continue Into the Future

Monday 23rd June

There is good news from Stilton!

Following the recent decision made by Tony & Pat Oliver to reluctantly retire in December 2025 from running concerts for STILTON IN TUNE, we’re delighted to announce that the concerts WILL CONTINUE with Music4You's Chris & Joanne Powell at the helm!

All artistes are booked for 2026 and we look forward to some more fantastic afternoons at The Pavilion, High St, STILTON, Peterborough, PE7 3RA.

Concerts commence at 2.30pm. A warm welcome awaits!

The concerts are ongoing and always take place on the first Sunday of the month, with the next one being on Sunday 6th July 2025 with the ever popular Andrew Nix!

Please spread the word and let's keep Live music and our kind of music alive!

For more details of upcoming dates, visit their OrganFax Page (opens in new tab).

Keyboard Live - The Ultimate Arranger Keyboard Show

Monday 23rd June

Keyboard Live is a brand-new, FREE, monthly live show dedicated to all things arranger keyboards and workstation music.  Whether you're a seasoned performer or just discovering the world of arranger keyboards, this is the show for you!

The monthly shows will be hosted on YouTube and all registered subscribers will receive log in codes for each event.

Launching this August, Keyboard Live is a collaboration between Scan Pro Audio and Keyboard World, hosted by Adam Whittle from Scan and Paul Carman from Keyboard World.

Each episode will run anything from 2 hours up to a full day of content - all streamed live and packed with value!

What to expect:  Arranger keyboard product reviews - Expert hints and tips - Exclusive interviews - Live performances and mini concerts - Accessory roundups & must-have gear

Register now for FREE!  Use either of these email addresses to register your interest.  You’ll receive updates about upcoming shows, broadcast times, and bonus content.

adam.whittle@scan.co.uk or paul@keyboardworld.co.uk

If you simply provide us with a name and email we can register your details on our system to keep you up to date with all future shows... and here's the best part - all registrants are automatically entered into a Prize Draw to WIN a set of Korg NC-Q1 noise-cancelling headphones!

Don't miss this exciting new chapter in arranger keyboard content.

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.

Trevor Bolshaw

Monday 30th December

We are very sorry to bring news from Michael Carter, on behalf of Friends of Beer Wurlitzer, that organist Trevor Bolshaw passed away on 26th December 2024.

Trevor was a well-loved and respected ambassador of the cinema organ world, having received tuition on piano from Midlands cinema organist, Leslie Taff.  He went on to become a regular on the concert scene, including invitations to play in the USA for the American Theatre Organ Society, where one such appearance saw him perform at the Fox, Atlanta - a much revered instrument.

His life and work moved South, where he and his wife, Mary, have spent many happy years - and where music remained a very important part of their lives, with Trevor continuing to play theatre organ and also his Yamaha touring organ, often accompanying singers.  

His contribution to making the Beer Wurlitzer a success is gratefully acknowledged and we would like to pay a tribute to everything Trevor achieved and to the way he so graciously gave his time to over the years.

Our thoughts are with all Trevor's friends and family, and especially with Mary.  Trevor will be much-missed and remembered fondly.

Photos: Trevor Bolshaw collection / Wayne Ivany

Video of Len Rawle MBE Tribute Afternoon

Thursday 5th December

A couple of weeks ago there was a very special afternoon in celebration and memory of the life of master musician Len Rawle, who passed away a year ago. 

Len had a huge impact on the organ world internationally, being largely responsible for the design of Yamaha Electones for many years, including the popular D85 and the FX/FS/FE range, and also saved over 40 theatre pipe organs. 

The 2 hour long event was put together by Len's long term fan and friend, organist Michael Wooldridge, with guest appearances from fellow organists Byron Jones and Andy Quin, oration from Richard Moore and Richard Cole, and photo and video memories shared by the Woking Wurlitzer Team.

If you would like to enjoy this informative and musical celebration of Len's life, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2V9LgBKrqM (link opens in new tab)

For more information about future events at Woking visit www.wokingwurlitzer.co.uk (link opens in new tab)