Double delight for theatre organ lovers

For a theatre organ performance like no other, head to Baycourt this weekend and listen to the sweet sounds of international musician Ken Double.
Mr Double, president of the American Theatre Organ Society, is returning to Tauranga on Sunday to promote theatre organ around the world.
His performance will demonstrate the abilities of the Wurlitzer - a large theatre organ. The Wurlitzer at Baycourt Centennial Theatre is one of three in New Zealand and the only one in such an original condition.
Mr Double spent 32 years working as a sports broadcaster but now devotes all his time to theatre organs, performing in concerts all over the world. He has recorded at least 12 CDs. On one of his latest albums, he played some songs with trumpeter Skip Stine.
This gave Tauranga Theatre Organ Society the idea to include cornet player Brian Geoghan in the unique programme. Mr Geoghan is a member of Woody Woodhouse Connection and Bay Dixie.
Mr Geoghan and Mr Double will play a range of tunes together, including Stardust, Nancy with the Laughing Face and S'Wonderful. It is the first time Mr Double and Mr Geoghan will play together.
Having two musicians of such high calibre in Tauranga was "quite exciting" for the Tauranga Theatre Organ Society, said secretary Louise Creighton.
"Mr Double has released a dozen CDs and a DVD and has played worldwide for over 30 years. He's the president of the American Theatre Organ Society and having him here in Tauranga is a real honour."
This is Mr Double's second visit to the region. He was last here in 2008.
Mrs Creighton said this would be a concert suitable for music lovers and those who were interested in finding out more about Theatre Organ.
"His music is just lovely, there has been a lot of interest from the public and it will be a chance for people to hear some outstanding musicians."
Following the performance, Mr Double will hold a "schools day" on Monday where 500 pupils and teachers from nine Bay of Plenty schools will learn about the Wurlitzer Organ.
The first session will begin at 10am and the second at 12.30pm. Each session will last about an hour, during which time there will be demonstrations of the organ's sounds and capabilities plus a short silent movie.
Mrs Creighton said the purpose of the "schools day" performance was to encourage the interest of younger people in theatre organ.
"It's going to be a really fun afternoon ... and there will be a number of tunes that everyone knows."
The Baycourt Centennial Theatre has a capacity of 500 and Mrs Creighton said they were hoping for a sell-out performance. "The response has been great and any profit we do make will go towards further work on the organ."
Mrs Creighton said Tauranga Theatre Organ Society aimed to host two to three concerts each year with a range of talented musicians.
WHEN AND WHERE
What: Double Delight
Where: Baycourt Centennial Theatre
When: Sunday 5 September
Time: 1.30- 4pm 
Tickets to Double Delight from Baycourt Ticket Direct. Adults $25. Child $5. Concession $20 (senior, group of 10+, friends of Baycourt or Tauranga Theatre Organ Society).