The Organ Spiel

Newsletter for the Sierra Chapter of the American Society

Coach Tour to Berkeley February 2010

ey Berkel We are off to Berkeley, again, Meet at California Auto Museum to attend another great con- 2200 Front St cert on the magnificent 4/33 Donna Parker Theatre Organ at the Berkeley Community Theatre. (The Sunday, Feb. 14th largest proscenium arch theater in the Bay Area). We will 12:30 P.M. meet at the California Auto Museum. The coach leaves promptly at 12:30PM, so don’t be late. After the con- cert, we will stop at the NEW Brennan’s Restaurant for a No Host Dinner and will arrive back at the California Auto Mu- seum around 8:30PM. See the insert for ticket orders. Coach trips have sold out in the past!

About the Artist,

Donna Parker, a native of Los Angeles, California, began her organ studies at the age of 7. Four years later she was introduced to the thea- tre organ and, at thirteen, began her classical organ instruction with Richard Purvis, and Master of Choristers Emeritus of San Fran- cisco’s famed Grace Cathedral. Donna quickly established a name for herself on the concert circuit as a capable performer for one so young. She made her first recording at 15, was appointed the first Offi- cial Organist for the Los Angels Dodgers baseball team and toured Southern California in concert as a product specialist for Conn Organ Company. While in high school, she appeared at Universal Stu- dios in Southern California, providing holiday season entertainment and by serving as Organist for the Los Angels Sports Arena, playing for professional ice hockey and tennis teams. Through arrangements made by George Wright, Donna began studying harmony and arranging with Gordon Kibbee while also studying theatre organ stylings with Lyn Larsen. Donna attended Califor- nia Polytechnic State University at Pomona, California, majoring in organ. She moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where she performed at Organ Stop Pizza; this began an association that would last for many years, performing at many restaurants around the country. Donna has actively promoted the theatre pipe organ art form including television appearances on CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt, PM Magazine, and numerous entertainment news spots. In 1996 she was honored by being named Organist of the Year by the ATOS. Donna served as marketing manager for Rodgers Instrument Corporation of Hillsboro, Oregon, for almost eight years. She worked in institutional sales representing Allen Organ Company and Stein- way & Sons advising colleges, universities and places of worship on how to meet their music pro- gram needs. Come, meet and hear one of the foremost Females of Theatre Organ! February AGO Concert and Silent Movie Page 2

Peter Richard Conte A skillful performer and arranger of organ transcriptions, Mr. Conte is the Grand Court Organist of the famous Wanamaker Or- gan in Philadelphia. When not touring, he performs on that 6 man- ual pipe organ twice daily. Come hear him perform in Sacramento! Sponsored by the Sacramento Chapter, AMERICAN GUILD OF and ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

Includes a silent movie, “The Kid” 1921

with Charlie Chaplin Friday, February 26th - 7:30PM - 17th & L - $10/Donation Morton Madness?? NO! Open Console - Fair Oaks Pops Concert at Ironstone Sunday - Feb. 21st After 15 years, your Board has decided to try something Come anytime between 2:00—5:00PM, and different for our April Event. Sierra Chapter has partnered sign-in at the door. Members and Friends who with Ironstone Vineyards, in Murphys California, to bring wish to play will be limited to three songs, or you a single venue starting with a Luncheon Buffet, fol- 15 minutes, whichever comes first. After eve- lowed by a concert on the Alhambra Theatre Pipe Organ by ryone on the sign-in list has been given a Martin Ellis on Saturday April 17th. chance to play, the process will be repeated. This event is already Sold Out for “drive yourself” tick- Admission is free. You may bring your ets. However, Sierra Chapter still has a family or friends and play the organ, or just sit limited number of Coach Tour tickets and listen. Friends of Sierra Chapter and non- available. See the Order Form insert for members may play the organ on their first visit. details. Thereafter they would need to join to play.

For Sale: Hammond M3 Organ—Spinet Included are instructional books, and generator oil. Good for a student or Church Chapel. Great condition - $250 or best offer Contact Bev Harris - 916-332-2837

Chapter Offi- cers Treasurer/Web Master Board Member Membership President 1st term expires Dec 2011 1st term expires Dec 2010 Terry Clifton 2nd term expires Dec 2011 Dave Sauer Robert Barrett, MD 916/863-6344 Carol Zerbo 916/925-7440 916/962-1988 [email protected] 916/624-9182 E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] Program Director Board Member Newsletter Editors Vice President/Publicity Craig Peterson 2nd term expires Dec 2010 Sherry & Terry Clifton 1st term expires Dec 2010 916/682-9699 Marian Galbraith 916/863-6344 Randy Warwick E-Mail: [email protected] 916/722-0411 [email protected]

661/392-0269 Historian Board Member E-Mail: [email protected] Barbara Harris 2nd term expires Dec 2011 Organ Technician 916/332-2837 Jim Leach Dave Moreno Secretary 916/484-7356 916/797-9125 1st term expires Dec 2010 E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected] Terry Clifton Recording Library Beverly Harris 916/863-6344 Board Member Music Librarian E-mail: 916/332-2837 [email protected] 2nd term expires Dec 2011 Jim Leach Craig Peterson 916/797-9125 916/682-9699 E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected]

February Page 3

President’s perspective—Carol Zerbo

It's Sunday night after Nathan on a very nice note. Speaking of trip to Ironstone . Give it Avakian's concert and, as the which, our January Spiel fea- a try. Bus Trip...bus trip...bus trip... Disneyland commercial goes tured a request for a computer "I'm too excited to sleep". Sev- for the new relay system that Remember - we're back at Fair enty plus people heeded the will be installed on the Oaks on February 21st but this January Spiel's admonition to Mendenhall Theatre Pipe Organ time you're the star. Yup - the support these concerts or see in the CAM. Bless their sweet organ will, once again, be center them fade away. We had people hearts - Dave Molzahn and stage and the audience will have from the Bay area, Petaluma and Eric Parker responded. All the opportunity to play. It's a Reno - some first-timers. I seri- bases seem to be covered now, fact that home-based theatre pipe ously doubt anyone was disap- and my thanks to David and Eric organs are few and far between pointed. This young man has it for answering the call. You have and opportunities to play organs all - talent, charm, composure. true team spirit! in public buildings are even Nathan had the organ Our next venture will be the fewer. Here's your chance! well under control as he pre- bus trip to Berkeley to hear Your audience will be supportive sented a varied and ambitious Donna Parker. You will note the 'cause everybody gets a turn. program. Several days of hard date is Valentine's Day work by Dave Moreno, Paul so treat your honey to a Yup - 2010 is starting out nicely. Brown and Bill Gardner insured stress free drive, a very I look forward to seeing y'all at that the old girl behaved herself. entertaining artist, and a nice our events. Well -I'm finishing Thanks very much, y'all. Be dinner at the new Brennan's. De- my article in the middle of El sure to visit our YouTube site to tails are here and on our website. Nino's first appearance and it's hear some of Nathan's concert, If you do a quick check of prices really stormy out there right now courtesy of webmaster and on bus tours to get to entertain- so I'd better get this off before it video-maven Dave Sauer. ment venues, you will find that disappears. Thanks also to Nathan's host and the trips we offer are more than hostess - Terry and Sherry reasonable from both the dollar Everybody stay Clifton. As always, they made and the peace of mind stand- warm, dry, and sure our young artist was well point. Besides - it's just plain intact! taken care of. fun. I would say 2010 has started The same goes for the bus Carol Z

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

New Member: Edward Millington Stout

Renewing at the Contributing Level: Robert & Linda Hartzell Wendell Jacob First Class Postage Stamp

P.O. Box 2017 Fair Oaks, California 95628

We are on the Web: sierrachapterATOS.org youtube.com/SierraChapterATOS

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR EVENTS

SIERRA CHAPTER EVENT AMERICAN GUILD OF NOR-CAL TOS EVENT

ORGANISTS EVENT Berkeley Community Theatre St. Johns Lutheran Church Sunday Mar 14 - 17th & L Sunday February 14th 2:30 PM Friday February 26th Chris Gorsuch 12:30 PM 7:30 PM Bus Trip To Berkeley $15/General Admission Silent Movie “The Kid” Donna Parker Concert Organist - Peter Richard Conte $35 Includes concert ticket Stockton Fox Event $10/Suggested Donation Bob Hope Theatre

242 E. Main SIERRA CHAPTER EVENT POPS Concert at Ironstone Stockton, CA Fair Oaks Clubhouse

7997 California Ave Martin Ellis Friday Feb 19 - 6:30PM

Shadow of a Doubt Sunday February Murphys California Featuring Saturday April 17th 21st Tom Thompson

2:00 - 5:00PM On the Mighty Morton Coach leaves Auto Mu- Open Console seum at 10:30AM $8/Adults 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 Coach Trip to Berkeley Ticket Order Form

Pops Concert at Ironstone Ticket Order Form