Christmas with the Wurlitzer

You can't get any more nostalgic than a Wurlitzer organ! Join 2025 & 2026 winners of the American Theatre Organ Society's Young Theatre Organist Competition, Declan Poole and Jack Morton as they take you on a musical sleigh ride through all the joy, nostalgia, and wonder of the season. From the first shimmering notes to the last triumphant carol, you'll be swept away by the majestic sound of the mighty Wurlitzer organ at Pollokshaws Burgh Hall, a true one-person orchestra bursting with character and charm, combined with stynning harp and vocal music. This magical instrument doesn’t just play music, it paints pictures in sound. With its dazzling array of effects, it brings to life everything from crackling firesides to snowy winter wonderlands. And yes, it even has its very own tuned sleigh bells, adding a sprinkle of sparkle and a dash of Christmas magic to every tune! Expect festive favourites and cosy medleys, all performed with passion, flair, and a big dose of seasonal spirit. Whether you're young or young-at-heart, Christmas with the Wurlitzer promises to be a joyful, musical hug, the perfect way to warm your heart and start your festive season. Declan Poole Originally learning to play the piano at the age of 8, Declan took an interest in the theatre organ during a visit to the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool when he was around 13 years old. This led to Declan moving his attention away from piano as he began to study theatre organ, using an electronic organ at home and the Wurlitzer at the Royalty Cinema, Bowness-on-Windermere as his practice instruments. Following sponsorship from the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS), Declan began to study the finer points of theatre organ performance with Kevin Grunill at the Astoria Centre, Barnsley. After only six months of professional tuition, he won the ATOS U.K. Young Theatre Organist of the Year competition. Since then, Declan has performed in concert at many of the UK’s major theatre organ venues such as: the Opera House and Tower Ballroom – Blackpool; Troxy – London; New Victoria Centre – Howden-le-Wear; East Sussex National – Uckfield and the Pavilion – Bournemouth. To date he has played over 50 of the UK’s theatre organ installations. In 2024 Declan was a recipient of the Cinema Organ Society’s Ian Sutherland award, which is presented periodically to young organists who demonstrate outstanding talent and potential. Declan’s concert programmes are a varied mix of popular music, including many theatre organ favourites. His interest in the theatre pipe organ is not just restricted to playing them as he is actively involved in the restoration and reinstallation of several instruments. Jack Morton Jack's passion for the theatre organ started at the age of 10 after seeing YouTube videos of Robert Wolfe at the Thursford Collection. In the summer of 2019, his parents took him to visit the collection to hear a theatre organ for the first time. In 2021, he visited the Astoria Centre in Barnsley where he was able to finally play a theatre organ for the first time. Jack had classical organ lessons from 2021 to learn the basic playing techniques of the organ, but taught himself theatre organ stylings on the side. In 2024, Jack and his organ teacher came to a mutual agreement to part ways after Jack's playing style shifted closer towards the theatre organ. He has now been teaching himself theatre organ techniques, along with guidance from several other organists. His biggest influence in the theatre organ world is Simon Gledhill, a true master of harmony. Jack has been lucky to hear Simon many times in concert , and has received some guidance from him. He is also influenced by organists Lyn Larsen, Jelani Eddington, and many others.