Welcome to our website

We very much hope you will enjoy seeing about our work, preserving the historic music making skills required to play the King of Instruments, the mighty theatre organ, and perhaps be inspired to visit Rye to see one of our shows, or perhaps to make a donation to the charity. Sunday Concerts The Friends of Rye Wurlitzer (FORW) decided not to re-start their concerts series post-pandemic, so we at the Rye Wurlitzer Academy have decided to take on running some Sunday concerts each year. Initially founded by the RWA’s Richard Moore, the FORW team have done so much to make the Rye Wurlitzer better than new. We feel it is important that our fabulous Wurlitzer is heard by as many people as possible and, whilst our Friday nights are well supported, there are some who cannot make it to an evening concert, so a Sunday afternoon is the ideal time, especially for those with a journey. Do come along if you can. Special Celebration Concert In 2025, we celebrate 100 years since the Rye Wurlitzer first played in its original home. We are having a special celebratory afternoon on 6th April 2025, 100 years to the day that it opened at The Palace Cinema in Tottenham, London, partly recreating that opening night, with top variety artistes, silent film, two organists and a cream tea. For more information, visit our Events Page. Funding The Rye Wurlitzer Academy is a Registered Charity, Number 1161821, and relies solely upon donations, sponsorships and staging of fund-raising events to continue its work. Please visit our sponsors page to see some of the many companies and individuals who have supported us. If you feel able to support us, please visit our Donations Page.

Enjoy a documentary film about the RWA...

Produced by RWA student, David Swarbrick, this short film gives an enjoyable insight to our activites. Whilst still studying, David has already enjoyed success with David J. Swarbrick Film Productions and this documentary won him the award for Best Student Film at the 2015 Rye International Film Festival.

The Rye Wurlitzer Academy

is the only project in the world with an ethos of teaching students how to play the theatre organ through providing them with regular lessons on a Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ and giving them an electronic organ for home practise, all for FREE!