Concert goers and young musicians at Rye College were pleased to meet TV personality Paul Bohill, from Channel 5’s popular series “Can’t Pay, We’ll Take It Away” at their June concert.
Paul had come along to support the “Evening of Music and Song” presented by The Rye Wurlitzer Academy (RWA), a charity now renowned worldwide for its excellent work in teaching local children to play the mighty Wurlitzer and popular electronic organs. This evening they teamed up with Adapt Theatre, who provided a number of their hugely talented young stars of the future to sing with the theatre organ.
At the end of the evening, Bohill, forsaking his trademark black workwear, used when collecting unpaid debts on TV, for a nice smart suit, enjoyed a guided tour of the organ console and inside the pipe chambers with top international organist, Michael Wooldridge, who is Principal Tutor for the RWA. Paul remarked on how wonderful it was to see the fabulous Wurlitzer in such fine form and thanked RWA Chairman Richard Moore for his warm welcome and complimentary jar of homemade marmalade, for which, of course, Richard made him sign a receipt!
The very talented young players from the RWA go on tour now, appearing at concerts in Bristol and Lancing, but the Rye Wurlitzer will be back in action at 7:15pm on Friday September 14, as the centrepiece of the Rye Proms Night. In a repeat of last year’s packed show, organist Michael Wooldridge is once again reunited with The Rye Bay Crew for an evening of traditional music and singing, including, of course, traditional Proms favourites Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory.
For more information about upcoming events or to make donations to support ongoing free Wurlitzer tuition to local children, visit the website or all Richard on 01424 444 058.
Photos: courtesy of Rye Wurlitzer Academy