The Trocadero Wurlitzer

The scope of a large theatre organ in a community

As a solo musical instrument

The theatre organ is probably the most versatile musical instrument ever invented, being able to handle a range of musical genres from jazz to classical, appealing to a many musical tastes and cultural backgrounds. The scope for events ranges from spectacular virtuoso shows to less formal lunchtime concerts to add musical relaxation to the working day. The instrument is ideal for specialist or seasonal events, such as programmes of Christmas music and carol concerts.

With other musical instruments

The theatre organ offers excellent orchestral support for singers and solo instrumentalists – piano, violin, saxophone, etc. – and small musical jazz or salon combos in concert. It is a flexible instrument for the realisation of the organ parts of serious orchestral and choral works, and can also form an enriching component of anything from a light orchestra to a dance band or rock group.

For recording and broadcasting

There is a lively niche market for commercial recordings of the theatre organ, and the instrument is regularly broadcast on radio – a notable example being the long-running weekly Radio 2 programme The Organist Entertains. Producers of recordings and broadcasts seek out high quality theatre organ installations in large halls with good acoustics as there is a shortage of such installations in the UK.

With the visual arts

Wherever a theatre organ exists in a suitable venue, its original role of providing accompaniment and pointing the action in silent movies had proved to be increasingly popular. Few venues in Britain can provide this opportunity at present, and there is tremendous scope to develop interest and involvement right across the community.

For dancing

The ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ revival of interest in the ballroom is the perfect opportunity for the theatre organ to flourish in the role it has pioneered for so long in Blackpool and other popular venues.

For other events

The adaptability of a Wurlitzer organ means that it can provide suitable music for a wedding ceremony just as easily as it can for a reception and dance. An organ of this kind adds dignity to civic occasions, commemorative events, awards presentations and school prize days, as well as offering a wider musical scope for conference programmes and corporate ‘away days’.

In education

No other musical instrument can offer quite the same ‘wow’ factor to stimulate the interest of young people, and visits from school and college music departments are a valuable feature of such an installation. Because of the electronic and mechanical operation of the instruments, there is also much scope for interest in technology departments, too. There is much scope for the musical and/or technical ‘workshops’, which have proved popular elsewhere. The availability of theatre organs for students’ private practice in suitable locations has spawned a new generation of world-class musicians in the field. Britain has won more international awards in this field than all other countries combined in the past 20 years, bringing prestige upon the communities where their skills were encouraged and honed.

In general

The availability of a large theatre organ in a multi-purpose venue adds great versatility to the venue, and adds to its appeal as a multi-purpose facility, offering a common link and focus for a wide range of activities and events across the community.