WEYHILL ELECTRONIC ORGAN SOCIETY
Back in the Sixties and Seventies, electronic organ music became a hugely popular form of entertainment, with BBC Radio 2 showcasing a good selection of tunes on its weekly one–hour broadcast, 'The Organist Entertains'. Indeed, it was this programme which indirectly led to the enterprising formation of the Weyhill Electronic Organ Society.
A small committee was formed in April 2002 and, with the aid of a few local organisations – assisting with publicity, etc. – the inaugural concert took place in July 2002. All tickets were sold and the Society was on its way ... and has been staging monthly concerts ever since. In addition, several charity fund–raising events have been organised, along with a number of social functions.
Regrettably, shortly after airing the music that helped to 'launch' the Society, the BBC decided to reduce to thirty minutes the time allotted to 'The Organist Entertains' and to exclude recordings of electronic organ music, thereby denying many of the younger talented performers the opportunity of promoting their respective abilities. The programme has now been discontinued and the only occasions on which these players can now be heard is at organ/keyboard society concerts or festivals.
The Weyhill Electronic Organ Society is a well–supported club and this enterprising venture has certainly proved successful. It is a non–profit organisation which, during its relatively brief existence, has already helped to raise a considerable amount of money for various charities. In recognition of its contribution to the local community, the Society has been presented with a number of 'Voluntary Sector Awards' certificates by Unity (formerly Test Valley Community Services). Furthermore, in 2017, the Club was nominated for the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (an award created by the Queen in 2002 to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee, recognising excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community).
The Society welcomes audiences of all ages, although the majority of people supporting the monthly concerts tend to be in the over–50s age group, possibly because they are attracted by the type of easy listening music performed. However, anyone who enjoys live melodic music cannot help but derive considerable pleasure from the sounds of the modern electronic organs and keyboards.
The instruments featured at the monthly concerts are amazing pieces of electronic wizardry, capable of a wide range of sounds and styles – from military bands to orchestras, from violin to harmonica. In fact, the sounds of almost any instrument you can imagine can be reproduced ... but, of course, the instruments do not play on their own! There are numerous extremely talented, professional performers on the 'circuit', playing a variety of electronic organs and keyboards, and first class entertainment within a friendly and relaxed environment is always assured. The styles of music presented by the guest performers range from classical and contemporary to waltzes and marches, and the programmes are balanced to suit most musical tastes.
The Society's concerts are held at the Fairground Hall, Weyhill – on the third Thursday of the month at 7.30 p.m. – although the entertainment has in the past been staged a few times at The Lights theatre in Andover. Provision of video projection equipment ensures that every member of the audience has an excellent view of the keyboard and pedal skills displayed by the various players. Currently, tickets purchased in advance are only £5.00, whilst admission at the door is £6.00 (occasionally subject to availability) — prices which have been maintained since 2010.
Anyone wishing to sample the entertainment for the first time is invited to apply for complimentary tickets (on offer for most concerts). For further information telephone 01264 323213 or visit the Society's own website at www.weyhill-eos.co.uk
Back in the Sixties and Seventies, electronic organ music became a hugely popular form of entertainment, with BBC Radio 2 showcasing a good selection of tunes on its weekly one–hour broadcast, 'The Organist Entertains'. Indeed, it was this programme which indirectly led to the enterprising formation of the Weyhill Electronic Organ Society.
A small committee was formed in April 2002 and, with the aid of a few local organisations – assisting with publicity, etc. – the inaugural concert took place in July 2002. All tickets were sold and the Society was on its way ... and has been staging monthly concerts ever since. In addition, several charity fund–raising events have been organised, along with a number of social functions.
Regrettably, shortly after airing the music that helped to 'launch' the Society, the BBC decided to reduce to thirty minutes the time allotted to 'The Organist Entertains' and to exclude recordings of electronic organ music, thereby denying many of the younger talented performers the opportunity of promoting their respective abilities. The programme has now been discontinued and the only occasions on which these players can now be heard is at organ/keyboard society concerts or festivals.
The Weyhill Electronic Organ Society is a well–supported club and this enterprising venture has certainly proved successful. It is a non–profit organisation which, during its relatively brief existence, has already helped to raise a considerable amount of money for various charities. In recognition of its contribution to the local community, the Society has been presented with a number of 'Voluntary Sector Awards' certificates by Unity (formerly Test Valley Community Services). Furthermore, in 2017, the Club was nominated for the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (an award created by the Queen in 2002 to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee, recognising excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community).
The Society welcomes audiences of all ages, although the majority of people supporting the monthly concerts tend to be in the over–50s age group, possibly because they are attracted by the type of easy listening music performed. However, anyone who enjoys live melodic music cannot help but derive considerable pleasure from the sounds of the modern electronic organs and keyboards.
The instruments featured at the monthly concerts are amazing pieces of electronic wizardry, capable of a wide range of sounds and styles – from military bands to orchestras, from violin to harmonica. In fact, the sounds of almost any instrument you can imagine can be reproduced ... but, of course, the instruments do not play on their own! There are numerous extremely talented, professional performers on the 'circuit', playing a variety of electronic organs and keyboards, and first class entertainment within a friendly and relaxed environment is always assured. The styles of music presented by the guest performers range from classical and contemporary to waltzes and marches, and the programmes are balanced to suit most musical tastes.
The Society's concerts are held at the Fairground Hall, Weyhill – on the third Thursday of the month at 7.30 p.m. – although the entertainment has in the past been staged a few times at The Lights theatre in Andover. Provision of video projection equipment ensures that every member of the audience has an excellent view of the keyboard and pedal skills displayed by the various players. Currently, tickets purchased in advance are only £5.00, whilst admission at the door is £6.00 (occasionally subject to availability) — prices which have been maintained since 2010.
Anyone wishing to sample the entertainment for the first time is invited to apply for complimentary tickets (on offer for most concerts). For further information telephone 01264 323213 or visit the Society's own website at www.weyhill-eos.co.uk