The Organ Spiel

Newsletter for the Sierra Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society

POPS Concert at Ironstone Vineyards April — May 2011 Saturday, tronic About the Artist organs. His company April 16 has created many new Chris Gorsuch and innovative products including digitally sam- Coach leaves the Chris Gorsuch began formal pled sounds and com- California Auto studies on the organ at age puter software. fourteen. He was soon playing Chris is also a sought- for several different churches after voicer and tonal (Formerly the Towe) in his home town of Spring- finisher. He feels as field, Ohio. At the age of much at home in a pipe At 10:00AM twenty, Chris moved to San organ chamber as he Diego, California, to become a does on the bench play- staff organist for the Organ ing the finished product. Power Pizza restaurant chain. One of the instruments that He has been the tonal Chris played was the famed five-manual finisher of several major Travelling Moller Theatre , now installed at the instruments in the United States. Pasadena Civic Center. While playing for the restaurant, Chris became a student of Lyn Larsen. Chris gained invalu- Chris also functions as a recording engineer and has been able knowledge from Lyn in the areas of and responsible for recording and mastering a number of CD’s phrasing. released by several major artists. Many musicians have contributed their influence to Chris’s In 2008, the American Theatre Organ Society presented musical style. of the Big Band era is a particular fa- Chris with the prestigious Organist Of The Year award. vorite, as well as classical, jazz and the music of the 1920’s Developing new arrangements, concertizing, recording, im- and 1930’s. proving the sounds of both electronic and pipe organs, and Chris also has a fascination with electronics. In 1979, he running a business make for a very interesting life. In all of formed his own company with the purpose of designing this, Chris has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to and manufacturing electronic systems for pipe and elec- strive for excellence in a demanding profession.

Your ticket price includes the concert and a full luncheon buffet. The event begins at 12:30PM with Last year, this event sold out quickly, but there is still time to get your tickets a specially prepared luncheon buffet, At press time, we still have two types of tickets available: downstairs, in the Alhambra Music 1. You can drive yourself for $39 to 1894 Six Mile Road, Murphys Room. The full 2 hour concert (with 2. Leave the driving to us with a leisurely trip on a luxury coach for $59. intermission) will follow at 2:00PM.

You can order and pay for tickets Please stop by the Sierra Chapter directly on our website at SierraChapterATOS.org. Membership desk and pick up Coach attendees will meet at the California Auto Museum your 2011 Directory. no later than 10:00 AM. If driving, arrive early to tour the grounds. Ironstone Vineyards is nestled against the Sierra Foothills, in the heart of California’s scenic Gold Country. Enjoy its beautiful gardens, History Museum and Gift and Jewelry Shoppe. The Organ was originally installed in the Alhambra Theatre in Sacramento in 1927. It went from a Baptist Church in Stockton to Bob Hartzell. John Kautz later bought it for his winery and built the Alhambra Music Room to house it (now a 3/14). April — May 2011 Page 2 AMERICAN THEATRE ORGAN SOCIETY SUMMER YOUTH CAMP July 25-29, 2011 Sierra Chapter Scholarships Available

ATOS has become very active in promoting young theatre organists, primarily through its work in host- Theatre Organ Camp students ing the ATOS Summer Youth Camp. The ATOS with Nathan Avakian in 2009 Summer Camp is a week-long educational event aimed at instructing budding, young theatre organists in the art form. May Upcoming Events Beginning in 2007, the ATOS Summer Camp has hosted dozens of new, young theatre organists. With May 7 - It’s My Park Day - Fair Oaks Commu- the help of its core educational staff of Jonas Nord- nity Clubhouse - Sierra Chapter Members are in- wall, Donna Parker, Jelani Eddington, and Martin vited to show their goodwill and spread the word Ellis, the Summer Camp program has developed an about our pipe organ by volunteering between extensive and successful curriculum for teaching the 8:00AM and Noon. See the flyer insert for details. art of the theatre organ. Sierra Chapter Scholarship Money is available May 22 - An Afternoon with Laurel & Hardy - for students attending the 2011 Summer Youth St. John Luthern Church, 4606 Michigan Ave, Val- Camp. ATOS National also has funds available for ley Home, CA. 3:00PM With Dave Moreno at the students needing tuition assistance. For details and 2-manual 4-rank Robert Morton Theatre Organ. application forms go to: http://atos.org/front- Homemade Pie & Ice Cream social after the show. desk/forms/ All applications must be turned in to Donation at the door. Information: Lois Hofmann ATOS by July 1. Contact any of the Officers or (209) 847-0733. Board Members listed below if you know of a student that is interested in attending the 2011 ATOS Sum- May 22 - Old Town Music Hall - El Segundo - mer Youth Camp. & Pipes Ragtime Trio featuring our own Bill We look forward to hearing other outstanding Coale on the Mighty . 7:30PM artists like Nathan Avakian at our concerts! Details at www.oldtownmusichall.org

Chapter Officers

President Treasurer/Web Master Board Member Membership 2nd term expires Dec 2011 1st term expires Dec 2011 1st term expires Dec 2012 Terry Clifton Carol Zerbo Dave Sauer William Coale, Ph.D. 916/863-6344 916/624-9182 916/925-7440 510/778-9117 [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: dave- E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected] Board Member Newsletter Editors Vice President/Publicity Program Director 2nd term expires Dec 2012 2nd term expires Dec 2011 Sherry & Terry Clifton Craig Peterson Jim Leach 916/863-6344 Randy Warwick 916/682-9699 661/392-0269 916/797-9125 [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: rwar-

[email protected] Historian Organ Technician Board Member Barbara Harris 1st term expires Dec 2012 Dave Moreno Secretary 916/332-2837 916/484-7356 Eric Parker [email protected] 2nd term expires Dec 2012 916/344-2153 Terry Clifton Recording Library E-Mail: [email protected] 916/863-6344 Beverly Harris Music Librarian E-mail: [email protected] 916/332-2837 Board Member Jim Leach 2nd term expires Dec 2011 916/797-9125 Craig Peterson E-Mail: [email protected] 916/682-9699 E-Mail: [email protected]

April — May 2011 Page 3

President’s perspective—Carol Zerbo

What to do - what to do. about such construction? And what We need the person We are beginning the process about a church? Organs can certainly (Mickey Rooney?) of finding a new home for the provide "fire and brimstone" but can and the place (a Mendenhall organ - the very thought a theatre pipe organ learn to speak barn?) and Sierra of which raises multiple questions, "praise worship"? Chapter can "put on a show". both philosophical and practical. Of course, the theatre pipe organ world And speaking of "learning" - Seriously folks, what we have is has been debating this for years but Where, on the long list of priorities, an instrument that can entertain, up- when its OUR organ, the debate be- does the installation of an organ fit lift and educate all in one, admittedly, comes a reality. into a school district's plans for edu- large package. cation? The ideal location would already A very big THANK YOU to sev-

have chambers so it might just be a OKAY!! Now that we are awash eral people who have come forth with matter of putting the hand back in the in cold water - let me heat things up a possible venues already set up for glove, so to speak. performing arts and the Board is bit. Where there's a will there's a way. Obviously, we're talking about a I have no idea who said that but it looking into them but, perhaps we theatre or school auditorium built does apply in this situation. Organs in should consider churches as possible prior to about 1939. Assuming said public venues get there because of sites. There are some very successful building exists, is it already in use "champions": people who feel theatre organ installations in churches and are the present occupants willing strongly that the theatre pipe organ is around the country and we certainly to give up the space necessary to ac- still worthy of the public's attention. have more churches than theatres in commodate our little treasure? Does They have "experienced" the sight the Sacramento area. The right person the current interest in restoring the and sound and can see the organ's in the right place! With a bit of few "palaces of splendor" that are left possibilities. Their enthusiasm opens imagination, a good deal of luck and and renaming them Performing Arts lines of communication and gets peo- an enormous amount of hard work, Centers allow for the presence of an ple thinking "This could work" rather the Mendenhall instrument that today's promoters than "I don't think so". Do you know organ can sing may view as complicating rather than such a person? A cinema buff, school again. How's complimenting their efforts to enter- principal, church worker, museum about it?! tain? If not a building with chambers director, parks superintendent, politi- Carol intact, what would it take to build cian? them and how might the owners feel

Sierra Chapter is now on Facebook BOARD Board Member Bill Coale has setup and MEETING MEMBERSHIP NEWS volunteered to be our Saturday Welcome to New Members: Facebook Administra- April 9th 10:00AM tor. Randy Warwick Rebecca Collins has volunteered to be David Fallis Home of Carol Zerbo Renewing at the Patron Level: co-administrator. Richard Taylor Open to all Regular Mem-

Facebook is an excel- Renewing at the Sustaining Level: bers, but please RSVP to lent way to connect Bob Suffel Carol if you are planning with others that are in- Renewing at the Contributing Level: to attend. David Beam terested in Theatre Or- 916-624-9182 gans around the world. First Class Postage Stamp

P.O. Box 2017 Fair Oaks, California 95628

We are on the Web:

sierrachapterATOS.org

youtube.com/SierraChapterATOS

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR EVENTS

SIERRA/NORCAL NORCAL CHAPTER EVENT STOCKTON FOX EVENT JOINT EVENT Berkeley Community Theatre 1900 Allston Way Gone with the wind

Sunday May 15th Sunday Apr 10 2:30 PM 1:30PM $8/Adults Featuring Ironstone Vineyards Jonas Nordwall Tom Thompson 1894 Six Mile Road On the Mighty Morton

Murphys, California Norcal Members Harmony Wynelands Event Only! 9291 East Harney Lane, Lodi $10 Associate Memberships Saturday April 16th available at the door for Sierra An Evening with Chapter Members Harry Langdon 12:30PM Featuring on Chris Gorsuch Dave Moreno $15/General the Castro Theatre Pipe Organ Friday Apr 8 8:30PM $39/Drive it yourself $12/Adults $10/Harmony Club $59/Luxury Coach Reservations necessary (209) 369-4184 The Chapter was organized in 1968 as a not-for-profit corporation under the statutes of the State of California and is recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and Section 23701d of the California Revenue and Taxation Code. It was organized for the purpose of preservation and promotion of the Theatre Pipe Organ and its music. Membership in the local Chapter also encourages membership in the National Organization, American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS.) www.atos.org IT’S MY PARK DAY! “Those who can, do. Saturday, May 7th Those who can do 8:00am – 12:00pm more, volunteer!”

Each year the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District gathers together in the District parks to work with volunteers on making our parks even more beautiful. The day consists of planting, clean-up, painting, repairs, and much more. District employees, along with hundreds of volunteers, work together on this day to clean-up our parks. At the end of the day the District presents an afternoon BBQ and entertainment to show our appreciation.

BBQ 12:00pm – 1:00pm 4150 Temescal St. Entertainment provided by Fair Oaks, CA 95628 916-966-1036 VOLUNTEER!!!! www.fairoakspark.org To sign-up for this event, fill out below and return or contact us for additional details!

Nick Davison [email protected]

Name: Age: T-Shirt Size

Family Members: Age: T-Shirt Size Age: T-Shirt Size Age: T-Shirt Size Email: Phone Number: Organization: Special Skills (That pertain to It’s My Park Day):

Any limitations you or family member(s) may have:

Please return either by email to [email protected] or by mail to 4150 Temescal St., Fair Oaks, CA 95628