OUR ARTIST FOR NOVEMBER

Michael Wooldridge

Michael Wooldridge is one of England’s top electronic and theatre organists, launching his career at the age of fifteen by winning the ATOS UK Young Theatre Organist of the Year Competition in 1980 and then receiving the coveted Ian Sutherland Memorial Award from the Cinema Organ Society of Great Britain in 1984. Michael has made countless appearances on BBC Radio 2, both on The Organist Entertains and also broadcasting the Virtual Theatre Pipe Organ live on air to 5-million listeners on the “Steve Wright In The Afternoon Show”. He plays concerts on most of the Mighty Cinema Organs around the UK and is Resident Organist on Europe's largest Wurlitzer organ, the magnificent 4/32 East Sussex National Wurlitzer. He has been privileged to deputise at the controls of the 5-manual Compton at the world famous Odeon Leicester Square for a couple of film premieres, one in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Charles and to appear in a sell-out concert at Bournemouth's Pavilion Theatre with the world renowned Mantovani Orchestra, now run by the great leader's son

Outside of the UK, Michael has played theatre organ concerts in Holland, Germany, Switzerland and Australia and in bands, has worked in Ireland and Dubai. He also appears as a concert artiste playing pianos, organs and keyboards for Yamaha, Hammond and Wersi.

When not on tour Michael is pleased to share his experience to bring out the best in others through teaching. He is Principal Tutor to both the Rye Wurlitzer Academy and the Theatre Pipe Organ Preservation Society Academy at Robertsbridge. . He was invited to become a Trustee of The London and South of England Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society, specifically to re-launch the UK Young Theatre Organist of the Year Competition.

The concert is at 7.30 pm on Tuesday November 19th at St. Peter’s Hall, The Broadway, Woodhall Spa. LN10 6ST