The NETOA Wurlitzer
The Wurlitzer organ is arguably the most comprehensive musical instrument ever devised. Based on the pipe organs found in our Churches and Cathedrals, its pipes are voiced in an orchestral way and with the addition of real percussion instruments and a Grand Piano, all played from the impressive organ ‘console’, it is a unique ‘one-man orchestra’.
Our original 3 manual 10 rank Wurlitzer organ was installed in 1930 in the massive New Victoria theatre in Bradford, one of the largest in the UK, where it regularly entertained the cinema patrons until it had to be removed due to building alterations in 1968. It was purchased by the North East Theatre Organ Association and is now installed in the ‘New Victoria Centre’, a specially converted former Methodist Church, in the village of Howden le Wear where it plays once again, recreating the atmosphere of a more leisurely age.
In 2006 the organ was extensively restored and enlarged with the aid of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and now has 19 extended ranks of Wurlitzer pipework, making it one of the largest and most versatile of its type in Europe.