The second year of the ‘Last Night of the Proms’ with Rye’s mighty Wurlitzer at Rye College hit all the high notes again this season, with the outstanding Michael Wooldridge on the magnificent cinema organ.
Alongside the traditional Proms fare, show music was the theme for the evening, with singers Rebekah Gilbert, Jonathan Breeds and Andi Rivett (aka the Rye Bay Crew). Michael created a wonderful medley from Guys and Dolls, which included renditions of Luck be a Lady Tonight and Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat from Andi, and Adelaide’s Lament and Take Back Your Mink from Rebekah, who revealed that it was 35 years ago since she had performed that music at the venue, then the Thomas Peacocke School, where she had just gone into the upper school and was put into the percussion department for the show by her inspirational music teacher Lois Benton – young Jonathan would still have been at primary school back then! There was also a rendition of favourites from The Sound of Music, with strong singing from the audience in Edelweiss, I am 16 going on 17, and Climb Every Mountain.
Jonathan excelled in the second half with an array of his favourite songs from Disney films, including The Jungle Book and The Lion King. The evening ended with rousing choruses of Rule Britannia, Jerusalem, I Vow to Thee My Country and Land of Hope and Glory, for which Rebekah led the singing bedecked in six-foot long Red Duster and White Admiralty flags. The audience each had their own flags and were in top voice.
Tireless volunteer to the Rye Wurlitzer Academy (RWA), Richard Moore said, “We were delighted to entertain an audience of over 100 people and we raised £1,000 tonight for the charity. This will go towards funding students’ lessons on the Wurlitzer with Michael, who is not only a world-class performer but a gifted teacher too of our local young people, many of whom have gone on to win awards, including winners of the ATOS UK Young Theatre Organist of the Year Award, the Christie Cup and Dean Herrick Trophy, in memory of the renowned South African organist.” A regular treat at RWA evenings is the array of lovely cakes provided by the highly valued team of RWA volunteers, who also make interval tea and run the raffle. Over the past few years, Richard, Michael and the team have raised an incredible £100,000 to enable Rye’s youngsters to master this most exciting of musical instruments, a wonderful part of the nation’s musical and social heritage.
Further RWA concerts in the series at the Milligan theatre in Rye, all of which support the work of the Academy, are at 7.15pm on Friday, October 12 for a Jazz Supper featuring international jazz singing sensation Liane Carroll and a fish and chip supper, and then a special Pipes and Brass Christmas Concert with Michael at the Wurlitzer and the fabulous Cranbrook Town Band on Friday, December 14. For more details about the upcoming shows, the work of the Rye Wurlitzer Academy and for information regarding how you can make a donation to support lessons for young people, visit their website.
Image Credits: Phil Burt The photographer Phil Burt has granted Michael Wooldridge permission to use this image as he feels fit. .