2017

To open our 2017 concert season we welcomed back 1993 YTOY winner Richard Hills to the the Woking Wurlitzer.

Richard gave a virtuoso performance, as has become his trademark, and it was much appreciated by our audience.

Music and laughter was definitely the name of the game when Andrew Nix visited us in March.

Andrew's show was very entertaining, and was well received by our Woking audience.

All the way from Australia, and playing his only UK concert, we welcomed Dr John Atwell to the Wonderful Woking Wurlitzer in April.

Back by popular demand in May, we welcomed Donald MacKenzie to the Wonderful Woking Wurlitzer.

Donald is regarded as the finest exponent of playing along to silent movies, and he gave an excellent performance to accompany Buster Keaton's 1924 classic 'Sherlock Jr', with the Wurlitzer fully demonstating its capabilities.

A warm June day brought us a taste of summer "Down Under" in more ways than one, when we gave a warm welcome to Australian Scott Harrison.  Scott presented a most enjoyable show, which was greatly appreciated by our audience.

Scott also bought his Aussie wit and humour to the show.

Here we see Scott chatting to Len Rawle MBE.

We resumed our Woking concert season in September by welcoming David Lowe to Woking.  David has visited us many times before and his shows are always enjoyed by all.

Lots of W's for our October concert - The Welsh Wizard returns to play the Wonderful Woking Wurlitzer.  Byron Jones is always popular, presenting a most enjoyable programme, and the audience was wowed by his illuminating footwear!

Also contributing to our concert was 2016 Young Theatre Organist of the Year, Lewis Scott.  Since his win, Lewis has been busy promoting the theatre organ, and for this he received the Dean Herrick Memorial Award in July 2017. Here we see Lewis and Byron during the concert.

Unfortunately David Lobban was unable to play for us in November owing to a shoulder injury, so for a last minute programme change up stepped Len Rawle and Michael Wooldridge. As you would expect, it was an entertaining show, with Len and Michael both taking turns on the Wonderful Woking Wurlitzer, and Michael accompanying Len on the Clavinova for some pieces.

December bought our Christmas show. The Woking elves had been busy decorating the Wurlitzer Hall, and as usual, Len assembled a fine programme with special guests.  Here we see him duetting with his grandson Daniel Pickford on piano, and grandaughter Zahra Greenwood singing.

Daniel also gave us a rendition of 'Frosty The Snowman' and and 'The James Bond Theme' on trompbone, accompanied by has grandfather on the Woking Wurlitzer.

We also welcomed back the Chobham St Lawrence Hand Bell Ringers, conducted by Tim Willetts.

Also joining us, were Sue and Charley Brighton playing their brass instruments, seen here with the bells and Len on the Wurlitzer.

Our compare was Richard Cole, and you can see that Father Christmas also found time to visit the Wonderful Woking Wurlitzer grotto to distribute the raffle prizes.

It was good to see one of our YTOY entrants, Jamyma May-Hanson, playing some seasonal songs on the Wurlitzer.

The finale bought the Wurlitzer, the bells and the brass together with a rendition of 'The Holly and the Ivy’.