News from the NETOA

NETOA Teach-in

Len Rawle provided a very informative theatre organ teach-in on Saturday, 10 July 2010.  He is one of those specialist artists  who has never sought an engagement, being in the happy position of being kept busier than most, accepting invitations around the world.  With a family name that is synonymous with the very heart of the organ scene here and overseas, Len has the benefit of a family steeped in the tradition of theatre organ preservation.

Bernard Lally R.I.P.

Bernard passed away following a relatively short illness on 10th June at his sister’s home in Darlington. He will be missed enormously by his family and many friends.

He was a modest, unassuming gentleman who was gifted in the arts and was a founder member of the Glenholme Theatre Club.

Bernard was involved with the NETOA for many years and served on the Committee as Concert Bookings Officer, not to mention providing the NETOA with a direct link to a certain Mr S. Claus at the Christmas concerts!

His funeral took place at Our Lady Immaculate and St. Cuthbert’s Church in Crook on Friday, 18th June to a large congregation. Bernard was well-known in the town and his brother, John, gave a fitting eulogy about his interests in the Theatre Club, the NETOA, his flair for writing and sketching, and his love of walking. His family participated in the Mass, including a reading by his sister, Maureen, and it was a wonderful celebration of his life.

To lose Bernard at such an early age is difficult to comprehend, and he will be greatly missed.

Dr Arnold Loxam dies at the age of 93

It is with great sadness the NETOA heard of the passing of Dr. Arnold Loxam, who had a close association with the NETOA Wurlitzer for many years.  We extend our condolences to his wife, Audrey, and the family.

Theatre Organ Teach in

The exceptional Richard Hills and incomparable David Lowe came together to provide a fascinating seminar on theatre organ performance on 8 August 2009.

Together they provided an insight into the music the theatre organ was designed for, providing a direct link between dance bands and orchestras and the concept of the unit orchestra.

Both artists exude musicianship of the highest order, and it was interesting to hear first hand their views on how to approach popular music.  An interesting point was that the music comes first, not the artist, and the importance of shaping the music in terms of phrasing, registration, key changes and other devices is paramount to the success of a performance.  The group of thirty enthusiastic NETOA members and friends listened to carefully selected excerpts of orchestral music and pieces recorded by prominent theatre organists which were carefully chosen to illustrate each point, and it was fascinating how these techniques could be readily incorporated into everyday playing.

New Floor laid in the main auditorium

Rowland May were contracted to lay the new flooring in the main auditorium of the New Victoria Centre.  The hardboard covering was left and new plyboard was applied on top.  The remnants were  planed off and then the boarding took two days to complete.  The work on stair nosings and other work will be completed by Tuesday, 27th January 2009.

Preparatory work for tonal regulation

In May, tonal regulation experts Clark Wilson and John Struve will be visiting the New Victoria Centre from the USA to regulate the Wurlitzer's pipework.  Preparatory work is well under way for the visit, and Kevin Grunill visited on the weekend of 17th and 18th January to kindly lend a helping hand.

Winter Happenings at the New Victoria Centre

During the winter shutdown at the New Victoria Centre, Howden-le-Wear our dedicated team are giving much free time to the various projects that need to be done at this time. The first big project is preparing the concert hall floor area for a new floor covering by removing all the seats by taking out approx. 2,300 fixing screws then removing the seats into the tearoom.

We are also preparing to have the stage curtains renewed and also complete the installation of some extra lighting for enhanced effects during concerts.

Work is also progressing on the refurbishment of the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ percussion section, thanks to all sponsors who are supporting the ‘Sponsor a Pipe Appeal’. Monies already raised stand at £5,500 and this is enabling your technical team to start refurbishing the Marimba Harp and the Xylophone. Our Sponsor a Pipe Appeal will continue in April with four new ranks of pipes being made available to sponsor to keep the percussion refurbishment project on track. All your support is fully appreciated and will help make the 2009 Mighty Wurlitzer Organ Concert Season a great success.

Les Lee

It is with much regret that I have to inform you of the recent death of one of our best known members, Mr. Les Lee.

Many of you will have noticed his absence over the last few months, during which time he had been slowly deteriorating and it was only about a month ago that he was finally diagnosed with cancer of the Pancreas. Regrettably, by this time he was so weakened that treatment of the disease was not possible and he died on November 30th. Although Les became very weak and lost a lot of weight, he was not in pain, for which we can be thankful.

The funeral was held on Friday 5th December at Durham Crematorium and refreshments were served afterwards at the New Victoria Centre. It seemed strangely appropriate that the Christmas decorations were already up in the Tea Room on that day, for Les, together with Tom Musgrave for many years and latterly by himself, was the driving force behind decorating the centre for the various Christmas activities.

Our sincerest sympathy goes to Les’s widow, Sylvia, his children, grandchildren and the rest of the family.

We will remember Les as the most active and enthusiastic person and someone who, no matter what problems arose, never complained – he just got on with things and he made a huge difference to almost everything that happened at the New Victoria Centre. We will miss him more than we can say, in so many different ways.

A note from Nicholas Martin

Nicholas Martin would like to sincerely thank the concert-goers at the September concert for their kind generosity in donating £310.63 to the 'Miracles to Believe In' charity.

We wish Nick continued success with fundraising for this most worthwhile cause.

Grand Charity Concert

Chairman of Wear Valley District Council, Eddie Murphy, writes:

'I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and all the committee for all their hard work in making the Charity Concert such a success.  I would in particular like to mention David Kirkbride, without whom the event could not have proceeded.

I am pleased to announce, once all deductions are made, the overall profit for the evening was £455.00

You will be pleased to know all the Civic Heads left the evening singing its praises, commenting on the choice of music.

Once again I would like to pass my sincere thanks to all involved.'

New Sales Officer

The NETOA are pleased to announce that Suzanne Kirkbride has been appointed Sales Officer and joins the Committee in February 2008.  Please note that all sales orders made by telephone and post should be directed to Suzanne by contacting:

Suzanne Kirkbride

3 Edendale Crescent

Howden-le-Wear

County Durham

DL15 8HR

Tel. 01388 762467

The NETOA Committee takes this opportunity to thank Bob Parker for his tireless commitment and energy in this role over a period of years, and we look forward to continue seeing him regularly at NETOA events.