& DISTRICT Organ Society

Concerts are held on first Friday of the month

At Coronation Hall, Spa Road, Woodhall Spa starting at 7.30 p.m.

“Music for Woodhall”

President Nicholas Martin B.E.M.

TONY STACE

 

OUR ARTIST FOR  DEC 6TH, 2024

 

 

 

TONY STACE

I started playing the organ at age 9 - my father owned a T500 Hammond which was his pride and joy. I started to show an interest in music and Dad agreed to teach me. He taught me all he knew and within a year he had arranged private tuition with my first teacher Ray Fox.

 

At age 11 my Dad asked me what I would like for my birthday. I said I would like to play a concert, Dad arranged it and I played my first 2 hour concert to friends and family - about 100 people. I loved every minute!

 

Aged 13 I was now having weekly lessons with Andrew Gilbert, looking back it was a wonderful move by my Mum & Dad to have Andrew as my teacher. He taught me so much in those three years I was with him & I loved learning.

 

I started entering competitions in 1986, after winning the local YAMAHA event held in Worthing I was asked to compete in the National competition, which was held at The Library Theatre Solihull. Playing the Yamaha HS8, I won £125! which, at that age, was like winning the Lottery.

 

I then entered the Wersi competition, winning the local event. At that time, we didn't know but the competition was going to go further, a week after winning I received a call from Aura Sounds Purley, to ask if I would compete in the Wersi European finals to be held at FRANKFURT -  all expenses paid for me and Dad. We went over and WON a Wersi Prisma organ. When we got home Dad built it and that's the setup I used, with a Technics KN800 for the next three years.

 

At age 18 I purchased my YAMAHA HX-1. I have been playing this wonderful instrument since 1991, it has been very good to me, the build quality & sound I think is still amazing.

 

I was proud to receive the Trophy for the first ever Keyboard/Organist of the Year 2003-4.  This is a 2 yearly award and I was so happy to receive it again for 2005-6. After receiving the trophy for the second time the organisers called it a day for this award.

 

In May 2001 I married Louise, we have 4 boys, Charlie, Matthew, William & Lee. Louise ran a busy cake shop in Catterick Village for 12 years and now runs a very busy fruitcake business.

I travel with these wonderful cakes for my audience to purchase at all my concerts!

 

I am still travelling around the UK performing at clubs and societies and now organise weekend festival events with the assistance of my family.