A free concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of Tauranga's ‘Mighty Wurli' is set to enthral those who have enjoyed this unique experience in the past as well as those who will be hearing it for the first time.

Fifty years ago, a majestic Wurlitzer theatre organ was gifted to the people of Tauranga and installed in the city's Town Hall.

Since that day in 1972, thousands of people have been fortunate to experience first-hand the exhilaration, passion, and joy of a live Wurlitzer concert right in their own backyard.

To celebrate 50 years of the Wurlitzer wowing Tauranga audiences, Baycourt Community & Arts Centre and the Tauranga Theatre Organ Society are proudly presenting ‘Scott Harrison in Concert on Baycourt's Mighty Wurlitzer' in the Addison Theatre at 10.30am on Thursday, August 18.

Entry is free by registration.

Starring Australian Wurli Maestro Scott Harrison, this concert will showcase the impressive range and capabilities of Baycourt's Mighty Wurli, and will feature a programme of familiar tunes, classic Wurlitzer works, plus a few surprises.

The Wurlitzer keys are connected to musical instruments hidden away behind screens in the Addison Theatre. Photo: Supplied.

The US-built Mighty Wurli – a 2/10 Wurlitzer Model H Opus 1482 that's connected to hundreds of pipes, a piano keyboard, a xylophone, castanets, bells and drums – is one of the finest Wurlitzer organs in the Southern Hemisphere, and just one of three organs that can be found in New Zealand.

Shipped from the United States for installation in the De Luxe Theatre in Wellington in 1926, the Mighty Wurli eventually made its way to Tauranga in 1972, following a 10+ year residency in Tokoroa.

On any given day the organ lies safely nestled beneath Baycourt's Addison Theatre stage, its home ever since the Tauranga Town Hall was demolished in 1987.

At the press of a button, the Mighty Wurli can dramatically rise up from beneath the stage and fill the theatre with its truly remarkable and unmistakable sound.

There are few people in the world who know Baycourt's Mighty Wurli better than Scott. He has worked alongside the TTOS for nearly three decades to maintain and keep the Wurlitzer in such pristine and original condition.

The Mighty Wurli is Baycourt's pride and joy, and thanks to the support, dedication and hard work of the TTOS and Harrison, it is kept in perfect working order and ready to thrill a whole new generation of audiences.

IYSFF official composer Nathan Avakian on the Wurlitzer. Photo: Brydie Photography.

Baycourt manager Reena Snook describes the Mighty Wurli as a living, breathing and constantly evolving instrument, and an amazing feat of engineering that's second to none.

'Don't miss this unique opportunity to join with Scott and the Tauranga Theatre Organ Society in wishing the Wurlitzer a happy 50th anniversary,” says Reena.

If you are unable to make it along to the concert, you will have another opportunity to experience the raw power and beauty of the Mighty Wurli live when Baycourt hosts the International Youth Silent Film Festival New Zealand National Awards Final 2022 on Thursday, November 16.

The IYSFF is a global competition challenging young filmmakers to create a short silent film set to one of 10 soundtracks created specifically for the festival.

The Top 15 selected films will be screened at the NZ Awards Final, with their soundtracks performed live on the Mighty Wurli by the IYSFF official composer Nathan Avakian.

Video: 2001 interview with Scott Harrison.

History

1926 - The US-built organ was shipped from the United States for installation in the De Luxe Theatre in Wellington.

1927 - The Mighty Wurli made its debut with Sydney organist Emanual 'Manny” Aarons it quickly became a beloved feature of the theatre.

1959 - The Wurlitzer was sold to Eddie Aikin a theatre organ enthusiast who installed the instrument in a former honey-packing shed south of Tokoroa, it was later moved to the school hall of Tokoroa High School. Ill health forced Mr Aikin and his organisation to sell the Mighty Wurli by tender. It was sold to the Tauranga Twenty Thousand Club and then gifted to the people of Tauranga.

1972 - With the support of the Tauranga City Council, the society installed the instrument in the Tauranga Town Hall. The Mighty Wurli was once again featured as a concert instrument for many local and overseas artists.

1986 - It was announced that Tauranga Town Hall was to be demolished. The Wurli needed a new home. The Tauranga City Council suggested that the organ could be relocated in the newly-constructed Baycourt Community and Arts Centre.

1987 - The arduous task of dismantling and re-installing the instrument began, and by late 1988, Opus 1482 was playing once again.

1988 - Dennis James travelled from the United States to present the premier concert of the instrument in Baycourt in December.

The Theatre Organ Society

The Tauranga Theatre Organ Society helps finance the maintenance and restoration of the organ. With the organ now sounding possibly its best ever it is proving a worthy asset, both to Baycourt and Tauranga.

If you would like to join the Tauranga Theatre Society, please fill in the application form. Membership entitles you to reduced organ concert tickets, newsletters, and monthly meetings where you can hear the Wurlitzer.

To register for the ‘Scott Harrison in Concert on Baycourt's Mighty Wurlitzer' free performance on August 18, email baycourtboxoffice@tauranga.govt.nz with your name, contact details, and number of seats you require. Attendance is subject to venue capacity; seats will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.