Fanfare for the Mighty Compton as Michael takes to the console - The Solihull Observer

Fanfare for the Mighty Compton as Michael takes to the console

Solihull Editorial 22nd May, 2022   0

FANFARE for the Common Man and much more will ring out when the 1935 Mighty Compton Cinema Organ once again rises from the stage for its latest monthly concert.

At the console will be local organist Michael Carter from Balsall Common who is promising a mix of music to delight and inspire the audience.

Michael plays both electronic and theatre organ and also combines these genres in cross-over events to widen the scope of the music he presents.

So, be prepared for a mix of theatre organ standards, orchestral arrangements, light classical items, film music and show tunes, with many popular numbers and diverse musical interpretations.




He also likes to find music people may not have heard played on the organ before, such as the themes from Superman, music from The Greatest Showman and an Emerson, Lake and Palmer inspired version of Fanfare for the Common Man, written originally by Aaron Copeland.

Michael is the editor for ‘Cinema Organ’ – the quarterly journal of the Cinema Organ Society and is also creating a ‘virtual theatre organ’ based around a small Wurlitzer previously installed in Edinburgh.


Early 2020 saw him visit the USA to play several theatre organs there.

He is a regular organist at St. Swithin’s, Barston and has also covered organist duties at Hampton-in-Arden parish church and St. Peter’s Church Balsall Common.

His concert is on Sunday, May 29 at Fentham Hall, Marsh Lane, Hampton–in-Arden B92 0AH.

Doors open at 1.30pm, with curtain up at 2.30pm.

Admission is £10 on the door, including interval refreshments and parking. No need to book and a warm welcome awaits.

Following Michael’s concert the Mighty Compton will next be in action on July 3 when Alec Walters takes to the keyboards.

Visit www.cinema-organs.org.uk or call 01564 794778 for more details.

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