OrganFax News

NEW YAMAHA PSR-SX920 and SX720

Thursday 12th September

Following in the footsteps of the renowned Genos2, the new PSR-SX920 and PSRSX720 continue to push the boundaries of Arranger Workstations, in terms of sound and versatility.  Featuring the latest Super Articulation technologies and new Crossfade Portamento, the new PSR-SX infuse your performances with expressive dynamics and emotional depth.

Style Insertion DSP power has been doubled from the previous models, further elevating their sound quality and with the new Style Dynamics Control, you’re in charge of the energy and dynamics of every Style, providing for more dynamic and refined performances.

Elevate your music with a new PSR-SX Arranger Workstation - where innovation meets inspiration!

MORE THAN 1,300 VOICES AND HUNDREDS OF STYLES

Unleash your musical creativity!  These powerhouse Arranger Workstations boasts over 1,300 high-quality Voices and hundreds of Styles, all equipped with One Touch Settings to instantly ignite your performance.  Use a Live Controller to adjust the energy and dynamics of any Style with Style Dynamics Control.  And with double the Style Insertion DSP power from the previous model, new and familiar Styles, all enhanced with the latest Voices and effects, sound more refined, providing an elevated musical

experience.

For the first time in an SX-Series instrument, the PSR-SX920 includes Super Articulation2 (S.Art2) technology.  Without even thinking about it, S.Art2 delivers unprecedented realism to Voices with lifelike instrument articulations added seamlessly to your performance.  Plus, with the new Super Articulation Plus Voices (S.Art+) in both models, you can switch between different instrument articulations with the touch of a button.  With the newly added Crossfade Portamento, experience smooth, fluid pitch transitions, adding expressive depth to your music.

For ultimate performance flexibility, the PSR-SX920 includes 8 assignable panel buttons, 6 home screen shortcuts and 2 Live Control knobs, giving you rapid access to your favourite functions for instant adjustments.

For more information visit Yamaha_UK (opens in a new window)

KORG Gallery Now Open

Thursday 12th September

Experience the Korg Gallery launch at The Musical Museum – an exploration of decades of music innovation and legendary synthesizers!

The new Korg Gallery opened on 17th September at The Musical Museum, 399 High Street Brentford TW8 0DU.  it is a new permanent exhibition that takes you on an immersive journey through the evolution of modern music creation.  This unique gallery celebrates the incredible history of Korg, one of the most influential names in music technology, and its role in shaping the soundtracks of our lives.

Explore the history of modern music-making

Learn about Korg's founding in 1962, inspired by a Japanese nightclub, an accordionist, and the need for a revolutionary rhythm unit—the DoncaMatic.  The gallery showcases over fifty classic and contemporary instruments, from Japan’s first mass-produced synthesizer to the globally best-selling synths and workstations that have defined generations.

Exclusive first look at iconic instruments

Be the first in the UK to see and hear the highly anticipated PS-3300 synthesizer reissue, a recreation of one of the rarest and most coveted synthesizers ever made.  Revered for its rich and complex sound, the PS-3300 is a legendary instrument among collectors and musicians alike.

Interactive displays and more

Dive deep into interactive displays that explore the technology behind Korg’s groundbreaking instruments, and discover how Korg’s innovations have been used to create unmistakeable sounds in records, film scores, and game soundtracks.

Explore the Musical Museum

The Musical Museum is home to one of the world’s foremost collections of automatic musical instruments, from tiny music boxes to the Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ.  The Museum tells the story of how music was recorded and reproduced over the last four centuries, and the new exhibition expands that story from the 1960s to the present day, adding an impressive collection of over fifty classic and contemporary instruments.  The Korg Gallery is the latest chapter in the Museum’s sixty-year history, celebrating the intersection of art, technology, and creativity.

Location and Parking - The Museum is close to Kew Bridge on the north side of the Thames. It is easily accessible from the M4 and the North & South Circular roads. The Museum has a small car park which is free for the duration of your visit; but spaces are limited and availability is not guaranteed.

Train - From London’s Waterloo Station to Kew Bridge. Turn right when leaving the station and the Museum is a 5 minute walk.

Underground/Bus - Take the District Line to Gunnersbury, then the 237 or 267 bus, alighting opposite us at the "Musical Museum" bus stop (we are a 10 minute ride away).  Alternatively, catch the Piccadilly Line to South Ealing, then the 65 bus passes the Museum.

Dr. Carol Williams Has Come Home!

Tuesday 10th September

British artist Dr. Carol left the UK several years ago to study and perform in the USA and now she is coming home!

She went to the USA to specifically do postgraduate study at Yale University in Connecticut with Professor Thomas Murray.  Then to New York City to achieve her Musical Doctorate degree (DMA) at the Manhattan School of Music.  Upon graduating she auditioned for a position in San Diego, California as City Civic Organist and Artistic Director of the Spreckels Organ Society.  Upon being selected, Carol remained there for 16 years.  After which she received the San Diego Civic Organist Emerita title and a Proclamation from The United States House of Representatives for all her good works and community service worldwide representing San Diego and the Spreckels Organ.

As Civic Organist, part of her work involved performing weekly concerts and producing a summer long concert series.  Carol would involve all genres and arrange many fundraisers - her great passion was to raise money for the Humane Society.  Carol also performed two 12 hours marathon concerts to raise funds for injured military and first responders.  Carol and her video producer husband, Kerry, had their wedding at the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park in San Diego with a couple of thousand showing up.  All on video, of course.

Carol and Kerry then moved to live on the East Coast of the US and continued to tour performing and filming worldwide.

Presently Carol has eighteen CD recordings, fifteen DVDs and over twenty compositions.  Carol's YouTube channel has 200 plus videos and has over 6 million views.  Together they produce "TourBus", a documentary series visiting the large & small, famous & unique pipe organs of the world and a talk show series "On The Bench with Dr. Carol" speaking with musicians from around the world.

Dr. Carol has now returned to the UK with Kerry and their rescue Irish Wolfhound Wolfgang Amadeus.  They look forward to continuing performing and filming.

For more details visit www.melcot.com (opens in a new window) or email management@melcot.com

Music For You Mondays at Brentford

Friday 30th August

Celebrating its 60th Anniversary, the Musical Museum in Brentford are presenting a new series of Monday Lunchtime Concerts under the heading  - Music For You Mondays - commencing on September 2nd with popular Midlands organist ‘Cameron Lloyd’ at the Mighty Wurlitzer.  

Starting at 1pm, these sessions will consist of two, 30-minute playing sessions, with a 20 minute interval, during which hot and cold food, along with hot/cold and alcoholic beverages will be available at the Riverside Cafe.  

Subsequent dates are October 7th with Andrew Nix, November 4th with Kevin Grunill, December 2nd with Matthew Bason, January 14th with Declan Poole, February 3rd with Bernard Tilley and finally, Keyboard Cavalcade’s very own Michael Wooldridge will complete the first season on Monday 3rd March.   

Also, on the last Monday of the month, there will be tea dances, with music again from the Mighty Wurlitzer and either Chris Powell or Matthew Bason at the console, with a selection of popular modern ballroom, sequence and Latin American dances taking place on the fabulous sprung floor.  

The venue can be found at 399 High Street, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 ODU.  Free parking is available and the venue is on the local bus routes and only 4 minutes walk from Kew Bridge Railway Station, which has superb links to both the tube and national railway network.  

For more information, call 020 8560 8108 or e-mail visit@musicalmuseum.co.uk

Keyboard and Organ Music Books from Tom Horton

Thursday 2nd March

Organist and internationally acclaimed teacher, Tom Horton, has released a series of super music books for us all to enjoy.  Containing lots of original melodies, all beautifully set out for ease of reading, they will make a very enjoyable addition to your music collection!

Very reasonably priced, visit Tom's Website to find full details of the range available and how to place your orders. (link opens in new window - just close it to return here)