OrganFax News

Rod Pooley Music moves to Larger Premises

Friday 15th May

Congratulations to Rod Pooley Music who, after just a year of trading, have moved to larger premises, well worth a visit to see new instruments (keyboards, pianos, guitars, amplification etc) from a host of major manufacturers.

The new shop is in the heart of Grantham, a lovely town, at 9, The George Shopping Centre, Grantham, NG31 6LH.

07799 800 656

www.RodPooleyMusic.co.uk (opens in new window)

Andrew Nix in Andover 15th May 2026

Thursday 14th May

There has been a change of artiste for Andover's Keys In Concert tomorrow - 15th May 2026

The wonderful Andrew Nix will now be playing for Andover Keys In Concert on Friday 15th May, 8.15pm at Picket Twenty Community Centre, Andover, SP11 6TY.

Admission is just £10 including light refreshments, so do go along.  You'll enjoy a wonderful evening of music and mirth with one of the UK's very top players.

For more information call 08081 640 909 or visit the Picket Twenty Website   (opens in new tab)

Mark Thompson will now play on 16th October.

Michael Holmes Available For Concerts

Wednesday 18th March

We are delighted that organist Michael Holmes has decided to upgrade to an Advanced players listing here on OrganFax.

Well established in theatre organ, classical organ and electronic organ circles, especially in the Manchester area, Michael is available for bookings, which, on electronic organ, would generally be played on his Roland AT350C.

Have a read about his interesting life in music on his OrganFax page (opens in new window)

Gloucester Cathedral Organ Festival

Wednesday 11th March

There is to be a fabulous weekend of music in June at the Gloucester Cathedral Organ Festival, from 13th to 15th June 2026.

This landmark weekend marks a nationally significant cultural moment, celebrating the unveiling of Gloucester Cathedral’s magnificent new organ and the soft launch of the Organ Academy - a vibrant centre for organ learning, community engagement and musical excellence for all ages.

Festival highlights include:

• Gala Concert with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and internationally renowned organist Thomas Trotter, recorded by BBC Radio 3.

• A Gloucestershire Cantata: Celebrating Young Voices — a newly commissioned work bringing together hundreds of children from local schools through our Singing Academy.

• Organ Recital and Masterclass with Wayne Marshall, showcasing the brilliance and versatility of the new instrument while inspiring the next generation of musicians.

With a 350-year organ tradition - including the only complete 17th-century double organ case surviving in the country - this new instrument represents both the conservation of our precious heritage and a bold investment in the future.

For more details visit https://gloucestercathedral.org.uk/whats-on/organ-festival (opens in new window)

Exciting News from Rod Pooley Music

Saturday 7th March

Rod Pooley Music have sent this press release:-

EXCITING MUCH LARGER SHOWROOM COMING SOON!

Our 1st Anniversary from opening trading at 14 Westgate, Grantham, NG31 6LT will be this March. A massive thank you from Rhohima and Rod goes to everyone who has supported us in our first successful year of trading.

Our musical journey together began, as you know, in our small shop in Westgate, Grantham, where we have slowly but surely curated the most desirable brands available to us in this initial trading period.

We will be continuing normal business hours at our current location at 14 Westgate, Grantham, NG31 6LT, until Thursday 26th April 2026 where normal hours 9.30am to 4.30pm shall operate on that last day.

We will then be closed for a week from Friday 27th April to Friday 1st of May 2026 to allow us enough time to get the Exciting NEW much improved showroom ready at Unit 9, The George Shopping Centre, High Street, Grantham, NG31 6LH. Our online store will remain open during this week of closure.

Please visit www.RodPooleyMusic.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Our New Showroom's Grand Opening Day will be on Saturday 2nd May 2026 from 9am till 5pm.

We invite all of our lovely customers, family and friends to join us for our very special new and exciting venture where we will be announcing many new products and features.

In Memoriam - Nigel Ogden

Thursday 29th January

We are deeply saddened to report that Nigel Ogden, renowned organist and presenter of BBC Radio 2's popular series 'The Organist Entertains' for over 38 years, passed away suddenly on the morning of Tuesday 27th January 2026, aged 71.

Aside of keeping the flag flying for 'our kind of music' for so many years on the BBC, Nigel was probably best known for his superb concert performances on both theatre and classical organs, though it should also be remembered what a fine player he was on electronic organs, with time spent working in retail and wholesale.

Nigel's ever supportive presence and expertise will be much missed.  We send our sincere condolences to his partner, family and friends.