2015 Young Theatre Organist Of The Year

The 2015 competition was held in November on the fine ex-Regal Kingston-Upon-Thames 3/12 Wurlitzer at The Musical Museum, Kew Bridge.  We would like to express our thanks to all at the museum for their wonderful enthusiasm, support and hospitality.

Chapter Trustee Michael Wooldridge, himself a former winner, organised the event for the second year running.  Sadly, two of the entrants were forced to step down in the last few days before the event but we were fortunate to still have six very strong competitors performing fabulously on the day, giving the large audience a very entertaining afternoon of excellent music; we must say thank you for the music to entrants Lucy Crouch, Robert Eldridge, Jamyma-May Hanson, Daniel Lane, Declan Poole and Lewis Scott.

Congratulations to the winner, Declan Poole and to runners-up, Jamyma-May Hanson and Lewis Scott.   The judges awarded the Christie Cup for the player showing most potential for the future to Robert Eldridge, a young man relatively new to the organ scene but already demonstrating huge promise and great musicality.  Following receipt of written submissions from last year’s entrants about their musical activities since appearing last year, the committee awarded the Dean Herrick Memorial Trophy to Lewis Scott, as not only has he been working hard to improve his performance standard but he has also been very active in presenting the organ to the general public, including playing for a pantomime, for charity dances and in rest homes.

Last years winner, Thomas Pickering, showed what a fine player he is by performing an interlude at the Wurlitzer, and then Holly Eldridge, entrant Robert Eldridge’s sister, entertained us with a beautiful Christmas item at the Steinway grand piano.

Our 6 contestants, left to right, were Daniel Lane, Declan Poole, Jamyma-May Hanson, Lucy Crouch, Robert Eldridge and Lewis Scott.
Having revitalised the competition in 2014, former winner and now ATOS UK Trustee Michael Wooldridge also organised the 2015 event.  He is seen here demonstrating the Wurlitzer to a party of museum visitors before the YTOY competition started.
 2014 winner Thomas Pickering played a selection of songs whilst the judges deliberated over the 2015 results.
Our panel of judges this year comprised of Richard Cole, Richard Hills FRCO and chairman Len Rawle MBE, pictured here with Michael Wooldridge who compered the event.
The UK Young Theatre Organist of the Year 2015, Declan Poole, is presented with his winners trophy by Nick Ashton, Chairman of the London and South of England Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society.
 For the second year running Jamyma-May Hanson was a runner up with a medley from “42nd Street”.
Also a runner up was Lewis Scott who played “The Way You Look Tonight” and “The Dambusters March”.
The Christie Cup was awarded to Robert Eldridge.
The Dean Herrick Cup was awarded to Lewis Scott.
 Declan Poole reprised his “Anything Goes” medley after the results were announced.
 The 2015 winners, L to R: Jamyma-May Hanson, Declan Poole and Lewis Scott.