Wurlitzer Organ Concert: Phil Kelsall

Experience the Magnificence of the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ at the Assembly Hall.

Worthing’s wonderful Wurlitzer is one of the largest theatre organs in England.  The sound you hear is produced from over 1,500 organ pipes installed in the two organ chambers located behind the grilles either side of the stage. The pipes range from 2 inches to 16 feet in length. Alongside these pipes are real percussion instruments - a Xylophone, Sleigh Bells, Drums, Cymbals and even a set of Cathedral Chimes!    The organ is a powerful instrument using air produced by two 5KW blowers housed under the stage.   The console is also housed under the stage but rises majestically to its playing position on a lift - as all proper theatre organs should.

In the mid 1970’s the organ was acquired by Jim Buckland and the Sussex Theatre Organ Trust, and was rebuilt and installed in the Worthing Assembly Hall.  The organ was opened in 1981 and was later enlarged from 10 ranks (sets of pipes) to 23 ranks following the acquisition of an organ from the BBC.  As part of this enhancement the organ was tonally finished (i.e. adjusted to suit the hall it was in) by leading American technicians, so that what you hear now is one of the finest theatre organs in Europe.

Phil Kelsall has been principal organist at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom since 1977.  He heads a team of organists who play for dancing throughout the year.  In November and December he plays the Wurlitzer at the Thursford Collection in Norfolk for their Christmas Spectacular show.  Phil was awarded the MBE in the 2010 Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to music.