WEYHILL ELECTRONIC ORGAN SOCIETY
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SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Mindful of the continual need to maintain an interest in its activities, and the world of electronic organ music in general, the Society is not afraid to attempt ‘something different’ from time to time – especially when charities can frequently benefit from their efforts.  The Club does not consist of organ aficionados: those who attend the monthly concerts simply do so because they enjoy music and live entertainment.
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An electronic organ concert was staged in December 2011 at St Thomas’s Church in Charlton (near Andover), with DIRKJAN RANZIJN entertaining a ‘full house’.  The event, arranged in association with the Society, realised a profit of around £500 which was shared equally between the concert venue and St Michael and All Angels Church in Weyhill.  The setting was perfect, the acoustics were great and a vibrant atmosphere was generated throughout the evening. Feedback was encouraging and all parties involved were delighted with the outcome. In addition to helping the two churches, the occasion introduced a good number of people to the world of the electronic organ and raised the profile of the Society.
 
 
In May 2011, the Club helped to promote and support a concert in aid of the Testway Transform charity at the Fairground Hall, Weyhill.  The concert, titled ‘Fairground to Broadway’ featured The Daisybelles, a talented and versatile all-female group from Southampton.  A varied programme of songs and sketches, laced with a little comedy, was enjoyed by all who attended.
 
In February 2011, the Society sponsored ELIZABETH HARRISON to entertain shoppers with a wide selection of music in the local Sainsbury’s Superstore.  Almost six hours of music was performed while a collection was made on behalf of Enham, a local charity dedicated to transforming the lives of disabled people with learning programmes and care options.  The Mayor and Mayoress of Test Valley were in attendance and the sum of £252 was raised for the Charity.
 

 

In April 2010, the Society was allotted a prime position in the local ASDA store, where DIRKJAN RANZIJN performed throughout the day, whilst teams of volunteers collected for Macmillan Cancer Support and distributed Society literature to the shoppers. An enjoyable and successful occasion saw customers and staff members alike joining in and even dancing to the music- with the commendable sum of £594 being raisedfor the Charity. In attendance were the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Test Valley, along with representatives from the local press and radio.
 
A concert in August 2009, featuring MICHAEL WOOLDRIDGE, included live musical accompaniment to a black and white comedy film, evoking memories of the ‘Silent Movies’.  This idea was well received and  it is hoped similar entertainment can be  repeated at a few of the Society's future concerts.
 
On two separate occasions the Society has staged a New Year’s Viennese Evening to launch its annual concert programme. In 2005, the Society welcomed PENNY WEEDON and Liesl Muller, the latter an Austrian-born cabaret singer who performed a few songs in her native language.  Then, in 2010, a concert performed by Chris Stanbury was preceded by some brief films of Vienna and surrounding countryside. Although the Club’s usual venue cannot accommodate the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra – or even replicate the wonderful features of the famous Musikverein in Vienna – the performances of the respective guest artistes have proved to be more than ideal substitutes.
 
By way of variation, the Society staged a ‘Sixties Evening’ in April 2007, performed by PENNY WEEDON (ably assisted by her husband, Tony Kerr), with a wide-ranging selection of music spanning the entire decade, music particularly appropriate for the age group the Club is seeking to attract.  By ensuring that the music is 'fresh', the Society aims to build up and maintain the interest it is able to generate.
 
Christmas concerts are always ‘fun evenings’, involving audience participation with a little carol-singing.  With the aid of video projection equipment, words to the various carols can be displayed on the Club's large screen - thereby encouraging everyone to join in.  Furthermore, the venue is suitably decorated and special seasonal refreshments are provided ... so it's no wonder these concerts are usually sold out!
 
Publicity is an essential part of the Society’s operations and various means of advertising are constantly being sought.  Colour brochures have been produced and most of the usual methods of drawing the Club’s activities to the attention of the local community have been explored.  For example, the window of the Andover Library, located in the town centre, has been used for publicity purposes – to make more people aware of the excellent value-for-money entertainment on offer.
 
 
 
An early innovation was the commissioning of memorabilia, bearing the Club’s name and logo.  Mugs, keyrings, travel clocks, model vehicles and ball-point pens are among the items produced and subsequently used as audience loyalty rewards.  A number of visiting artistes have also taken a keen interest in these limited edition items!