1988 Cos Theatre Organ Workshop

This year's Workshop was the third to David Redfern, Peter Holt and Martin be organized by the COS, and the unani Harris, at the Quentin Maclean-designed mous opinion is that it was the best yet! 4/16 Wurlitzer. It was an event which Run by COS Musical Advisor John Norris fitted in very well with the aims of the and publicity man David Lowe, it at COS Workshop. tracted some 60 people, aged between After Clayhall came a chance to sam The 10 and 70. A number of young organists ple some classical organ music at the attended, with the very welcome support historic Southwark Cathedral, alongside of their parents who , in some cases, London Bridge. The four-manual Lewis 1988 cos were able to come along, too! organ, installed in the Cathedral in 1897 The event centered around the soci and recently restored to its original con ety's very own magnificent 4/23, South dition, was in the capable hands of a Bank Wurlitzer organ. This instrument good friend of the COS, Harry Bramma, Theatre started life in the famous 3,500-seat the cathedral's Director of Music. Mr. Trocadero Cinema, Elephant and Castle, Bramma demonstrated the organ, gave in south London. It was installed in 1930 a short recital, and then - much to Organ and made famous by the legendary everyone's delight - declared open Quentin Maclean . Alas, the cinema console! closed in 1963 and was demolished to Then came another musical change make way for a far less attractive office (no one can complain about lack of vari Workshop block, but fortunately the COS was able ety at a COS event!). The evening meal by Roger Hedley to save the organ. was taken at the Lee Valley Ice Centre, The Wurlitzer is now installed in the where David Lowe is the Musical Direc Edric Hall of the South Bank Polytechnic, tor, playing a "four-manual " Hammond a college of higher education only a few plus-additions. On this occasion , how Like ATOS, the British hundred yards from the site of the Tro ever, we were entertained by another Cinema Organ Society (COS} cadero. The organ has been enlarged young organist , Paul Sheffield, who slightly, from 21 ranks to 23, but this has plays regularly at the ice rink to accom is keen to do all it can do pro all been done in such a way that it does pany the skating sessions. mote the theatre organ, to give not detract from the historical signifi And so, after the first busy day, on to cance of the instrument. Thanks to the overnight accommodation at Gold help and advice to organists, modern technology, the organ could be smiths' College in southeast London. and in particular to encourage restored to its earlier specification in a But, more " organ-ising" was to come! matter of an hour or so should this be Our London District Secretary , John youngpeople to play the theatre needed. A number of top American or Leeming, had arranged a "Twenty Ques organ and keep it alive for fu ganists have been very welcome recent tions" quiz based around organs and ture generations to enjoy. There guest artists at Friday night concert s: organists, and the college itself also has Tom Hazleton, Bill Vlasak, Dan Bellomy, an organ, a large four-manual Rushworth is a wealth of expertise both in Lance Luce. Lew Williams, current ATOS and Dreaper concert organ, which has Britain and America when it Theatre Organist of the Year, was the recently been restored to health by the special guest at this year's Workshop. COS technical team. comes to theatre organ perf or The Workshop was officially opened After an early (for some, too early!) mance. Hence, the idea of a on Sunday afternoon , August 21, with a start on Monday, a morning of talks and concert at St. John Vianney Roman seminars took place at the South Bank Theatre Organ Workshop was Catholic Church at Clayhall in northeast Polytechnic. Lew Williams provided an born, to try to bring together London. This spacious modern church opening " Fanfare" on the Wurlitzer , fol those with knowledge and houses a 3/6 Compton organ plus Melo lowing which official welcoming speeches tone unit, formerly in the Ritz Cinema, were given by the Mayor of the London expertise and those seeking it, Nuneaton, and moved to the church in Borough of Southwark and by the Direc and all in just four days of 1968. To those used to 30 + ranks of tor of the Polytechnic. Wurlitzer, a 3/6 Compton, even with its The first session consisted of an hilar almost non-stop activity! electronic Melotone division, may seem ious hour with Robin Richmond talking very small. However, the position of the about the theatre organ world and remin organ and the acoustics of the church iscing about his own career. David Wil combine to produce a really big sound, liams, one of the society 's younger and who better to exploit it than Lew organists, then took over to talk about Williams together with "the old organ " Registering and Arranging , American grinder himself" Robin Richmond. Robin style,'' which is one of his particular in founded the long-running BBC radio show terests and something he has studied "The Organist Entertains," and after over many years. David was followed by many years absence has now made a John Mann, whose topic was " Entertain welcome return to the British concert ing the public." John hails from the south scene. coast seaside resort of Brighton and On that Sunday morning, the COS was spends all his time entertaining people, pleased to be able to support a concert touring with his Eminent 2000 theatre being run by London and South of Eng organ. land Chapter at the Top Rank Club, Kil After lunch, John Barlow (a former burn. We had the pleasure of hearing ATOS London Chapter Young Theatre four young organists, Rachael Ward, Organist of the Year) gave some very 18 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY THEATRE ORGAN good advice on "Arranging a Song for famous by Reginald Foort and those well the Theatre Organ,'' proving that it is known sisters Ena Baga and Florence possible to play modern tunes on the deJong), the little 2/5 Compton in the for theatre organ in an appealing and musi mer Cameo-Poly Cinema, also in Regent cal way. Street (and now part of the Central Lon Buses then took everyone to Alexan don Polytechnic), the even smaller 2/4 dra Palace in north London. This famous "straight" Compton "Miniatura" organ north London landmark, surrounded by in the Central London Polytechnic itself an extensive park, is not a royal palace (but what a big sound!), and the fine 3/12 but a "people 's palace ," built in 1873 as Christie in the Granada Cinema, Walt a place of entertainmen t and recreation hamstow (installed in 1930 and still for the people. In the Great Hall was in going strong). stalled a four-manual, 87 speaking stops, It was to these venues, plus Clayhall "Father Willis" concert organ, which was (and of course the South Bank Polytech badly damaged during World War II and nic) that group visits were made on both rendered unplayable. For reasons which Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Each are still unexplained, the Great Hall was small group was accompanied by at least gutted by fire in 1980. Fortunately, how one experienced theatre organist for a ever, most of the organ had already been morning of personal tuition, advice and removed for renovation and so was practice. The visits were arranged by saved. The huge Great Hall has now Musical Advisor and top organ teacher been rebuilt and the organ is being rein John Norris. Both the 1987 and 1988 stalled, albeit in a smaller form than be ATOS London Chapter Young Theatre fore the fire. We had the honour of being Organist of the Year competitions were shown round the instrument by Henry won by students taught by John Norris Willis IV, the present head of the Henry - in 1987, Benjamin Vine and in 1988, Willis Organ Co., who are carrying out Christopher Bannister. the reinstallation work. Although the work Tuesday afternoon was spent back at has not yet been comp leted and only the the South Bank Polytechnic, and opened flue pipes were operational there was with a talk by top BBC orchestral com enough of it working to allow Lew Wil poser, arranger and conductor David liams to give an impromptu recital! Francis. With the help of Lew Williams Simon Gledhill leading a seminar at the South Bank Polytechnic. Finally, we moved on to an evening of at the Wurlitzer, David was able to illus food, drink, theatre organ music and re trate just how aptly the description "Unit laxation - · at the Plough Inn, Great Orchestra " can be applied to a theatre Munden. The Plough is a splendid British organ and how orchestral music can be country " pub," in the depths of the Hert adapted for the organ. He had composed fordshire countryside and accessible only a special piece of music for the occasion through some very narrow country lanes, and presented it to the society. Called which taxed the skills of our bus drivers "South Bank Showtime," it's just right to the full! The food was good, the beer as a signature tune for the organ, and excellent, and the ex-Gaumont Cinema, everyone received a copy to take away! North Finchley, 3/1O Compton organ Simon Gledhill, Britain's most outstand (plus grand piano, Melotone and Solo ing young theatre organist, then took Cello!) was in the capable hands of Ro over to give some excellent advice on bert Wolfe, who demonstrated his special "Arranging a Medley," something that style of playing and answered questions alas appears to cause many organists from the audience .

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