Electric recitals at organ society

If you look online you may be surprised to learn there are electronic organ societies in most English towns.

And you may be equally surprised to learn that our own Sutton has been home to one since 1970.

Sutton Electronic Organ Society has 120 members and hosts monthly concerts at Sutton’s St John’s Methodist Church performed by like-minded enthusiasts of the instrument - which is a development of the harmonium or reed organ.

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Its digital tone generators and synthesis modules can imitate hundreds of instruments and enable its lone player to fill a room with the sounds of an orchestra.

Jeffrey Welch (84), a member now for 23 years, said he had joined after being captivated by a recital.

“I started playing piano when I was a lad but that went to bed when the electronic organ came into being,” said Jeffrey.

“I was invited along to St Wilfred’s Church Hall in Kirkby, where we met at the time, to hear a concert and got hooked. I have been ever since.

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“We have great professional organists who give wonderful performances.

“The organs produce so many different sounds - if you just close your eyes and listen you might think you were hearing a big band or an orchestra.”

The club’s humble origins were a few organ enthusiasts who met initially at a Sutton hairdressers but grew in membership over the years.

Said Jeffrey: “Many of the members have their own instruments and can play to their own abilities.

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“They just get real pleasure from listening to performers and being members of a society.

“When we meet up we all have a good chat and it is a good social occasion.”

Sutton Electronic Organ Society concerts are held on a Wednesday from 7-9.30pm. Door open at 6.15pm.

For more information visit www.sutton-in-ashfield-organ-society.org.uk.

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