J JJLY I A UG UJT l:!J.D1 at CenturyII, 225W. Douglas, Wichita, Kansas

"7~P~ 7~ p- 1::eU-14tted :ir~acq~:: featuring Lyn Larsen Jeff Weiler Leued&L~ at the Wurlitzer Friday, October 31 featuring Clark Wilson Sat1:1rday,November 1 8:00 p.m. at the Wurlitzer 8:00 p.m. Saturday, November 1 11:00 a.m. 3 Great Concertsand 1 Mealfor $55 Plus don't miss the rt~ at the newly installed 3/19 WTOMILLER WURLITZER featuring Clark Wilson Sunday, November 2 - 1:00 p.m. Bus transportation included, limited seating. One additional concert added if necessary, not disabled accessible. Complete Package Only $ 7 5 ! - Afterglow plus 3 Concerts and 1 Meal Make your reservations at the historic Headquarters Hotel The Broadview - A Grand Heritage Hotel 400 West Douglas Ave., Wichita, 67202 800,362,2929 or 316,262,5000 • Special Room Rate: $52! • {\ Directly ac~Century II.

(!Jii------~-lilllal Wichita Theatre Organ, Inc~'lil------

F□ R DETAILS, CONTACT WT □, 61 41 FAIRFIELD Ro., WICHITA , KS 67204 • TEL/FAX: 31 6-B3B-31 27 2•JULY/AUGUST1997 HTTP://WWW.VORNADO.COM/CONCERT.HTML THEATREORGAN Library of Congress Catalog Number ML 1T334 (ISSN 0040-5531) Printed in U.S.A. VOLUME39, NUMBER4 ATOS JULY/AUGUST 1997 ARCHIVES I LIBRARY

EDITORThomas L. Delay ATOS COMMITTEES & CHAIRPERSONS P.O.Box 3929 ATOSSPECIAL SERVICES Pinedale, CA 93650 * Vernon P.Bickel 209/431-4305 • Fax 209/431-0604 785 Palomino Court San Marcos, CA 92069-2102 PRESIDENTHarry Heth 760/471-6194 • FAX:760/471-6194 (*51) 1247 Peden/ Houston, TX 77006-1130 ATOSARCHIVES/LIBRARY 713/527-8096 • Fax 713/527-9182 Joe Moffatt, Curator e-mail: [email protected] 152 York Road, Suite 200 Elmhurst, IL 60126-2806 VICE· Jim Riggs 630/782 -1800 or e-mail: [email protected] PRESIDENT3015 Eccleston Avenue Margaret Joy Stephens Walnut Creek, CA 94596-1820 416 Birch Street/ Roselle Park, NJ 07204-2002 510/938-6128 • Fax 510/938-1638*66 908/241-0442 COVERPHOTO: e-mail: [email protected] AWARDS& RECOGNITION The auditorium of the Phoenix * Donna Parker SECRETARYJack Moelmann PO Box 6103 / Aloha, OR 97007 Orpheum Theatre (1929) Lescher & P.O.Box 25165 Mahoney architects. The murals were 503/642- 7009 • FAX:503/681-0444 Scott AFB, IL 62225-0165 e-mail: [email protected] by AT Heinsbergenand Co. 618/632-8455 • Fax 618/632-8456 CHAPTERRELATIONS Gary Quesada photo e-mail: RJGP84A@PRODIGYCOM * Doris Erbe TREASURERAlden Stockebrand 4942 Hummelsheim Ave 2030 Lafayette Place St. Louis, MO 63123-4711 Milwaukee,WI 53202-1370 314/481-1840• FAX: 314/481-5885 414/224-6442 • Fax 414/224-9406 CONVENTIONPLANNING Tim Needler PASTStephen L. Adams 5440 N Meridian St PRESIDENT537 E.Wisconsin Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46208-2656 Neenah, WI 54956-2966 317/255-8056 • FAX: 317/257 · 7031 414/725-0918 • Fax 414/725-75342 EDUCATION * Jeff Weiler ADVERTISINGAlva James 15 Peachtree Ln / Wichita, KS 67207-1023 5765 S.W.River Lane 316/684-5411• FAX:316/684-5423 Hillsboro, OR 97123-9122 ENDOWMENTFUND 503/848-0677 • Fax 503/848-3691 Jim Riggs e-mail: [email protected] 3015 Eccleston Ave Walnut Creek, CA 94596-1820 ATOSSPECIAL Vernon P. Bickel 510/938-6126 • FAX: 510/938-1638(*66) SERVICES785 Palomino Court e-mail: [email protected] San Marcos, CA 92069-2102 NOMINATIONS 760-471-6194• Fax 760-471-6194*51 Connie Purkey EXECUTIVEMichael Fellenzer 564 E 4050 S #9J / Salt Lake City, UT 84107 SECRETARYP.O. Box 551081 801/265-9794 Indianapolis, IN 46205-1081 e-mail: [email protected] 317/251-6441 • Fax 317/251-6443 ORGANISTCOMPETITIONS/SCHOLARSHIPS e-mail: [email protected] INNERCITY YOUTH PROGRAM * Dorothy Van Steenkiste 9270 Reeck Road Allen Park, Ml 48101-1461 Journal Staff 313/383-0133 • FAX:313/383-1875 EDITOR Thomas L. Delay RESTORATION& PRESERVATION ASSISTANTEDITOR Donna Parker * Allen Miller EDITOREMERITUS George F. Thompson 167 Carriage Drive / Glastonbury,CT 06033-3231 EDITOREMERITUS W. Stu Green 860/633-5710 • FAX: 860/633-7230 EDITOREMERITUS Robert Gilbert e-mail: [email protected] ADVERTISINGAlva James TECHNICAL * Brant Duddy PUBLISHERAlden Stockebrand P O Box 179 / Cedars, PA 19423-0179 Associate Editors 610/584-4035 AmericanTheatre Organ Society Annual THEATREORGAN INTEREST GROUPS Membershipis $30.00 per year ($35.00out· REVIEWS Ralph Beaudry THEATREPIPE ORGANS side the USA),which includessix issuesof ELECTRONICSJack Moelmann Al Seti THEATREORGAN, the official publicationof 156 San Luis Way/ Novato, CA 94945-1715 the AmericanTheatre Organ Society (ATOS). Voice/Fax: 415/897-9148 Makecheck or moneyorder payableto ATOS ELECTED DIRECTORS e-mail: [email protected] and mail to ATOSMembership Office, PO. Box Vern Bickel ELECTRONICORGANS & YTOELIAISON 551081,Indianapolis, IN 46205-1081. THEATRE Brant Duddy * Jack Moelmann ORGANISSN - 0040-5531(title registered Doris Erbe PO Box 25165 • Scott AFB, IL 62225-0165 U.S.Patent Office) is publishedbi-monthly by Allen Miller 618/632-8455 • FAX: 618/632-8456 the AmericanTheatre Organ Society , Inc.,a Jack Moelmann e-mail: RJGP84A@PRODIGYCOM non-profitorganization, Harry Heth, President. Donna Parker COMPUTERNETWORKS All rights reserved.Entire contents copyright­ David Kelzenberg ed, AmericanTheatre Organ Society, Inc., Dorothy Van Steenkiste Jeff Weiler 2801 Highway 6 East, #344 1997.Single copies of currentissues are Iowa City, IA 52240-2629 $2.50 each (please add $1.00per issue sent 319/351-3926 • FAX:319/335-1366 outsidethe USA). Makecheck or moneyorder e-mail: [email protected] payableto ATOSand mail to ATOSSpecial CORPORATE OFFICE TOWEFORD MUSEUM Services,785 PalominoCourt, San Marcos, American Theatre Organ Society, Inc. Harry Heth CA 92069-2102.Office of Publicationis 5 5 Third Street 1247 Peden• Houston, TX 77006-1130 ThirdStreet, San Francisco, CA 94103-3200. San Francisco, CA 94103-3200 Secondclass postage paid in SanFrancisco, 713/527-8096 • Fax 713/527-9182 CA 94103-3200and additionalmailing e-mail: [email protected] offices.POSTMASTER: Send address change EXECUTIVECOMMITTEE DESIGN & TYPESETTING VernBickel , Harry Heth, Jack Moelmann, to THEATREORGAN c/o ATOSMembership Stanley LeMaster Typesetting Office,PO. Box 551081,Indianapolis , IN Jim Riggs, Alden Stockebrand, Dorothy VanSteenkiste 46205-1081. PRINTING & MAILING * Elected Board Members Times Litho THEATREORGAN JULY/AUGUST 1997 • 3 JULY/AUGUST 1997 VOLUME39, NUMBER4 PRESIDENT: HARRY HETH EDITOR: THOMAS L. DeLAY EXECUTIVESECRETARY: MICHAELFELLENZER

FEATURES 7 1997 ATOSSCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 8 THE ORPHEUMPHOENIX by Ron Rhode and Karl Warner 12 DESERTWINDS '97 November 1997 Regional Convention 16 SOMENOTES ON WURLITZERSTYLE NUMBERS by Gordon Kibbee 20 SACRAMENTO'SMEMORIAL AUDITORIUM ESTEY 2 4 ACCIDENTSWILL HAPPEN by John Muri 35 THEATREORGAN IN JAPAN by Eiji Kondo

DEPARTMENTS MEMBER'SFORUM 5 AN ACREOF SEATSIN A PALACEOF SPLENDOR 26 by Steve Levin FOR THE RECORDSRalph Beaudry,Editor 28 ETONESby Jack Moelmann 33 ORGAN-izingPOPULAR MUSIC by Al Hermanns 34 CLOSINGCHORD 36 CHAPTERNOTES 38 CLASSIFIEDADS 52

This, however,is the time to very important and now, with experience. plan for another season and the prevalence of e-mail, it is We also have a new curator the time to formulate your even easier to stay in touch. All of the ATOSArchives, Joe plans for supporting your the directors, officers, and staff Moffatt. Mr.Moffatt tells me that YoungArtists for next year's of ATOSwho have access to the materials made the trip competition. e-mail are listed on the mast­ from San Marcos, California,to The process of re-charter­ head page of this magazine. If th_e new location in Elmhurst, ing the ATOSChapters has had you have access to e-mail, Illinois,in fine shape. Mr.Moffatt mixed results. Some groups please let me know as this is also tells me that the documen­ have not been able to maintain really a convenient and inex­ tation and cataloging of the the minimumnumber of mem­ pensive way to communicate. archives are superb, but then, bers to qualify as a chapter. It would be very helpful if some­ with Vern Bickel having been This was bound to happen, but one in each chapter who has the curator, we know that I want to assure all of you in this access to e-mail, and can everything was in fine order. situation, that we continue to speak for the chapter, would Many thanks, Vernfor your President'swelcome you as members of send me their e-mail address years of hard work and service. ATOS.For those chapters who, to open up more lines of com­ The Valley of the Sun for whatever reason,are no munication. Chapter is gearing up for Messagelonger chartered, we will hope I am pleased to welcome another fabulous Regional that you continue to support two new board members, John Convention. I hope you get your Summer is here,yes, I know it theatre organ in your various Ledwon and Nelson Page. Mr. registrations in early as it has is winter in Australia.Some of the venues and will remain active Ledwon has served ATOSin always been a sell-out. See chapters go inactive during the in ATOS. the past and Mr. Page will be you there. summer months due to vacations, Communication between bringing some new perspec­ lack of air conditioning, and what­ the membership and ATOSis tives based upon his business Harry Heth ever.

4 •JULY/ AUGUST1997 THEATREORGAN One should never judge a recording by the picture on the cover! This recording on Music Digital CD 6021 is NOT Member'sForum recorded on the Thursford Museum ex­ Dear Editor: Paramount/Odean Leeds 3/19 Wurlitzer. This CD is, in I have two reasons for writing to the editor of THE­ fact, a re-issue of an Australian recording by Robert ATRE ORGAN. Wolfe entitled "G-Day Australia!" and recorded on the First, the masthead on page 4 of the March/ April Wurlitzer organ of the Orion Ce~tre, Campsie, Sydney, issue gives an e-mail address for President, Secretary, New South Wales, Australia, and was issued on cassette Advertising, and Executive Secretary, but I find no e­ reference number RWDC 01. Copyright was held by mail address for Editor. It seems I must relegate this lit­ RWDC Recordings 1989 and the musical items were erary effort to the tender mercies of snailmail. Sigh ... performed on 4 February 1989 simultaneously recorded [Editor'sNote: Someday,Someday .. .] onto Devtronix floppy disk On 15 August after suitable Second, I would like to respond to ATOS member tuning and preparation, the organ was audio recorded Stanley C. Garniss of North Easton, Massachusetts, who -played by the computer. wrote in Member's Forum that he is "a long-time pur­ I have no idea how this recording now comes to be chaser of LP's and cassettes," and "It is frustrating to issued as Wurlitzer Magic with a picture of Robert at read about new issues of recordings as Compact Disc the Thursford console and now stated as being Only." Copyright 1996 Delta Music Ltd., Beckenham, Kent. I am, as is Mr. Garniss, in the "winter of life" with BR3 1QZ, England, UK. Perhaps someone could explain decreased hearing ability. But this has nothing to do as I am sure that not only my friends in the USA but with the constant development of new media for use in also enthusiasts back in he UK would like to know why sound reproduction. and how this is not properly credited. Your advert on From Edison's early wax discs, we have seen the era page 53 by the Piping Hot Recording Company even of 78 rpm recordings come and go. Most of us, if we're states that this CD is recorded in England. old enough, once had a collection of 78s. The advent of Certainly to my ears the organ sounds nothing like 33-1 /3 rpm LPs represented a significant advance over the Thursford Wurlitzer and I cannot understand how 78s. Both 45 rpm records and 8-track existed for a rela­ your reviewer could make such a mistake. tively brief time. Each new media had advantages over However, one thing is for certain, it is a superb those that preceded it. Cassettes represented an advan­ recording and shows off Robert Wolfe at his very best. tage over LPs; they were small, easier to handle, and Theatre organ stars do not come any bigger than Robert they weren't subject to warping and scratching. Now, as far as I am concerned. Tremendous talent and superi­ CDs are the current coin of the realm. or showmanship and best of all "entertainment." Regardless of his frustration, I doubt if Mr. Garniss Best wishes to you all, see you in Indianapolis. can persuade any recording artists to make their offer­ Jeffrey MacKenzie ings available on, say, LPs because that is his preferred London, England, UK medium, or primarily on cassettes because he doesn't own a CD player. I would remind Mr. Garniss that Dear Editor: modern technology rushes relentlessly ahead, and it Since I last wrote you concerning videos of silent will continue to do so, regardless of my preferences or movies with organ accompaniment, I have unearthed his. CDs offer improved fidelity, and they boast a longer many new ones, some of which are good to hear, a few playing time than cassettes. I encourage him to enjoy not so good. I would like to inform the ATOS communi­ his meticulously collected LP albums, to relish his care­ ty about them, but no longer believe that the fully selected cassettes. And, he might, as did I, consider "Member's Forum" is appropriate for a topic so in adding a CD player to his play-back options. keeping with the focus of the group. After all, a primary 'Course, I don't have a CD player for my stereo sys­ use of the instrument that we venerate was the accom­ tem, but I did get one for my computer. Tom Hazleton, paniment of silent films. George Wright, Tommy Stark, and Lew Williams never One of my concerns with the "Forum" is that it is sounded better. probably the least-read feature of the magazine; there­ Very sincerely, fore what I offer might be overlooked by someone who J. Chandler Campbell, Ph.D. could benefit. Another is that because such submissions Sarasota, Florida should be brief, I am prevented from giving the detail that a particular silent movie might merit. Dear Editor: An appropriate format is exemplified by Ralph Have just received my THEATRE ORGAN journal Beaudry' s "For The Records," where a few CDs are pre­ for March/ April 1997. Your reviewer of recordings has sented in a given issue. I have enough new material to dropped one of the biggest "clangers" of all time on keep such a column going for many issues, but the page 20 reviewing "Wurlitzer Magic - Robert Wolfe." (continuedon next page)

THEATREORGAN JULY/AUGUST 1997 • 5 MEMBER'S FORUMcont. Anything not wanted may be sent to: ATOSADVERTISING undertaking would have to become a KEMC / Yellowstone Public Radio periodic as the supply of videos dwin­ Theatre Organ Library HASMOVED dles. My search would continue, of Attn: Marvin & J.E. Schmidt course, but silents are constantly being Montana State University at Billings Alva and Don James have sold their "remastered," a process in which the­ 1500 N. 30 homein Portland,Oregon and (with their pipe organ) have moved to Hillsboro, atre organ music is typically jettisoned Billings, Montana 59101 Oregon.Our new phone numberis in favor of that from little orchestras 503/848-0677 and fax number is or pianos. This is eligible for a very low postal 503/848-3691.Our former phone number I was pleased to see that the subject rate, mark as SOUND RECORDINGS 503/245-2972 will be maintained as a of silent movies with organ accompa­ - LIBRARY RATE. We might be able to VoiceMail number until the endof 1997. U.S. Priority Mail has in the past niment has occupied a measure of reimburse for postal expenses, etc., if seemedto work morethan adequatelyfor PIPORG-L space recently, triggered, of necessary. almostall expeditedadvertising deliveries. course, by the AMC series Silent J.E. Schmidt FedExand UPS deliverieswhich cannot Sunrise. It is good to see how much P.O. Box 134, go to our PostOffice box maybe sentto: these films are of interest. Billings, Montana 59103 ATOSADVERTISING Of particular note is a pair of e-mail: c/o James 5765S.W. River Lane "twins." The same movie can be pur­ [email protected] (J.E. Schmidt) Hillsboro,OR 97123-9122 chased played either by Gaylord Our newpermanent mailing address for Carter or Lee Erwin, although you CORRECTION: ATOSAdvertising is: would never know it from catalog list­ On page 28, last issue, ALVAJAMES ings or information given over the Los Angeles Chapter, should read: ATOSADVERTISING EDITOR telephone. And, as a matter of fact, I Secretary: P.O.Box 684 have unearthed a second pair, but am Char Hopwood Hillsboro,Oregon 97123-0684 still trying to locate a commercial 2609 North Keystone Street Oure-mail address: [email protected] source for one of them. Burbank, CA 91504 remainsthe same. Yours truly, 818/566-1290 Robert Gates Mendham, New Jersey 1996-1997ATOS DIRECTORS Opinionsexpressed in this columnare thoseof the CHAPTERLIAISON ASSIGNMENTS correspondents,and do not necessarilyreflect the opinionsof the editorsor the policiesof ATOSor VERN BICKEL ALLEN MILLER THEATREORGAN. Letters concerning all aspects DONNA PARKER of the theatreorgan hobbyare welcome. Unless 760/471-6194; FAX: *51 203/633-5710; FAX: 633-7230 503/648-7009; FAX: 681-0444 clearlymarked "not for publication"letters may be Golden State Buffalo Beehive publishedin wholeor in part. Lettersto the editor Jesse Crawford Connecticut Valley Egyptian whichare handwritten(e.g. not typewritten)cannot Nevada Desert Lights Delaware Valley Oregon be submitteddue to the time involvedin transcrib­ Orange County Eastern Massachusetts Pikes Peak ing the materialto typewrittentext. Sendto: Editor, San Diego Garden State Puget Sound THEATREORGAN , P.O. Box 3929, Pinedale, Sequoia Manasota Rocky Mountain California93650. Sierra New York Valley of the Sun Pine Tree DOROTHY VAN STEENKISTE Yuma South New Jersey 313/383-0133; FAX: 383-1875 SAVE THAT PURE VINYL Virginia Dairyland BRANT DUDDY Hudson-Mohawk Please don't throw away! 610/584-3035 JACK MOELMANN Kingston LPs are particularly wanted. Aloha 618/632-8455; FAX: 632-8456 Land O'Lakes If anyone would entertain a dona­ Australia Felix Alabama Motor City tion, we are trying to build a library of Kiwi Atlanta Southwest Michigan London/South of England Central Florida Wolverine theatre organ recordings at KEMC-FM Los Angeles Central Ohio Yellowstone Public Radio here in Nor-Cal Chattanooga JEFF WEILER Billings, Montana. We have the dis­ Santa Barbara Chicagoland 316/684-5411; FAX: 684-5423 tinction of covering the largest public Gulf Coast Cumberland DORIS ERBE Joliet Area Metrolina radio geographical area in the country, 314/481-1840; FAX: 481-5885 Kansas City Mountain State with many translators which reach Arkansas Magnolia North Texas out to Idaho and down into Wyoming, Cedar Rapids North Florida Piedmont and 100,000 watts in Billings. Central Indiana Ohio Valley Potomac Valley Land of Lincoln Orlando Sooner State This material will eventually be Quad Cities South Florida Southeast Texas used to prepare theatre pipe organ Red River St. Louis Susquehanna Valley programs that may be offered free on River City the satellite system to all public radio Toledo Area HARRY HETH Western Reserve 713/527-8096; FAX: 527-9182 stations nationwide. Towe Ford Museum

6 •JULY/ AUGUST1997 THEATREORGAN CATEGORY"B" Watch for news of our 1998 Organ students studying with Scholarship Program in your Recipientsof professional theatre organ teachers. September issue of the Journal. Scholarshipaward will be given upon Following the convention, if approved completionof lessons with professional by the Board of Directors, require­ theatreorgan teachers. ments and applications will be ready 1997ATOS (All scholarshipsmust be completedby to send out during August. May 7, 1998). We were very pleased this year to receive 15 applications and we award­ Lisa Rose Mary Cox (17) Scholarship ed fifteen scholarships. In addition to Ballarat, Vic, Australia the regular $1,000 Elva Fleming Teachers: Memorial Scholarship, we awarded Mr. Davis Cross, Australia Awards Mr. John Ferguson, Indiana the $500 Grace McGinnis Memorial Catherine Drummond (15) Scholarship. Also, we added three Members of the Scholarship Wigston, Leicester, England more $500 scholarships to the regular Committee are pleased to announce Teacher: ten as four scholarships were not com­ that the following students received Paul Kirner, England pleted in 1997. It was the decision of scholarships: Paul William Forte (22) the committee, with the approval of CATEGORY"A" Ballarat, Vic, Australia our President Harry Heth, that we Students working toward collegeorgan Teacher: rolled over three of the scholarships performancedegree. Scholarship award Mrs. Myrtle Cox, Australia that were not used. will be given to their collegeand applied Richard Openshaw (20) Our program was listed in the toward their tuition. Brandon Village, Guidance Information System (GIS) Co. Durham, England published by Houghton Mifflin Teacher: ELVAFLEMING MEMORIAL Company in Chicago, Illinois, and William B. Thomas, England also the Educational Assistance SCHOLARSHIP-$1,000 Daniel Pierce (15) Council, National Research and Susan Lewandowski (18) Muncie, Indiana Processing Center in Burbank, Eastern Michigan University Teacher: California. We receive requests from Ypsilanti, Michigan John Ferguson, Indiana Ron Reseigh (15) various colleges and schools that have GRACEMCGINNIS MEMORIAL Grand Rapids, Michigan seen the information on our organiza­ SCHOLARSHIP-$500 Teacher: tion and their students apply. There Sean Henderson (18) Tony O'Brien, Livonia, Michigan were many requests for applications Arizona State University Robert Sudall (13) from these reports. Also, our chapters Tempe, Arizona Eld wick, Bingley, are getting the news to their local col­ West Yorkshire, England leges and organ students. Word is out $500SCHOLARSHIPS Teachers: and everyone feels that this program Jeffrey Andrews (18) David Lowe, England is encouraging young adults to contin­ Monash University Brian Cryer, England ue their education in organ perfor­ Melbourne - Victoria Australia Heath Wooster (19) mance. The committee will meet at the Suzanne Birkholz (21) Burwood, Victoria, Australia convention in Indianapolis and they Concordia University Teacher: hope to expand and continue the pro­ Meguon, Wisconsin Addam Stobbs, Victoria, Australia Elena Derzhavina (22) gram. The Lawrence University We have already received the Conservatory of Music $1,000 (1998) scholarship money for Appleton, Wisconsin Members of the Scholarship the Elva Fleming Memorial from Mr. Bethany Kramer (21) Committee are: Paul Fleming. I have also been Concordia University Paul Fleming, John Ledwon, informed by Mr. Fleming that it will Meguon, Wisconsin David Love, Tony O'Brien, be continued for years to come as he Joy Schreiber (20) Connie Purkey, Gordon Schwacke, has set it up in his estate. We have Concordia University Jinny Vanore, Bob Wilhelm. received several other donations for Meguon, Wisconsin Chairman: Dorothy Van Steenkiste our program during the year.

THEATREORGAN JULY/AUGUST 1997 • 7 Them ystical "Phoenix"has taken on thepersona of many thingsin thesepages. In the last issueof THEATREORGAN, we read of the incredibletale to resurrecta Wurlitzerfrom ashes. Here, thePhoeni x bird has embodiedthe spirit of a moviepalace ...

by Ron Rhode and Karl Warner

blue domed sky. The proscenium arch was a series of seven gilded arches, or 'ropes.' Paul Westlake, project archi­ tect for the Orpheum restoration, said the theatre is "a succotash of pseudo­ Mediterranean styles. There was Spanish medieval and baroque, mixed with an Italian palazzo and Greek allegory." The original organ was a 3 / 11 Meisel & Sullivan, a Los Angeles church organ builder which produced a limited number of theatre organs during the late 1920s. Using primarily Gottfried pipework, the instrument was billed as a 'Symphony of Pipes.' The two-chamber installation was tra­ ditional with ornate organ grilles on each side of the proscenium. The con­ sole was on its own lift on the left side of the stage. A publicity release from 1929 stated, "Six men labored 90 days to make and install the delicate scroll­ like wrought iron pieces and the heav­ ier grille work Four tons of iron were used and the grille work alone will cover an area of 1000 square feet." Don Steele was opening night organist along with the Orpheum Console of the 3/30 Wurlitzer in the Phoenix Orpheum Theatre. Thematic Orchestra conducted by Gene Redewill. A bevy of stars arrived Like the mythical Phoenix bird vivor of Phoenix theatre architecture by special train from Hollywood. which was consumed by fire and then from the Golden Age. Town dignitaries gave speeches, and rose from its own ashes, the Phoenix The theatre was designed to accom­ as the evening progressed, two feature Orpheum Theatre has risen from a modate talking pictures, vaudeville, films were shown in addition to a long sleep as a movie palace and and touring shows. Its 101 foot wide vaudeville revue. The festivities began emerged as a state-of-the-art perform­ stage , with 28 feet of depth, made the at 8:45 p.m. and concluded with ing arts center. Orpheum the only theatre between Paramount news at 3:00 a.m. When the Orpheum was opened Los Angeles and Denver able to han­ In the years that followed such January 5, 1929, it was the pride of dle the traveling vaudeville shows artists as Rubenstein and Jose Iturbi Phoenix, a town of 48,000. With 1,800 then changing weekly. graced the large stage. Mae West was seats and an early form of air condi­ The theatre was designed in the chauffeured to the theatre in an open tioning, the theatre quickly became atmospheric style, with the audience touring car in 1933 to promote her the place to see and be seen in the city. sitting in a garden surrounded by film, I'm No Angel. Harvey Krause was When the older Rialto and newer Fox Spanish-style buildings , murals of staff organist, and Joe Lizzarago, stage were demolished decades ago, the mountains and forests, under puffy manager, presided over the house Orpheum remained as the sole sur- white clouds moving across a deep lights, including the stars and clouds, s • JULY/ AUGUST1 997 THEATREO RGAN as he had since the beginning. members of the chapter gathered Sold in 1949, the Orpheum was to bid farewell. Don Story played renamed the Paramount, but con­ the last program, and Joe tinued as a first-run film house. In Lizzarago turned out the lights the 1950s and early 1960s, Bill from the backstage panels where Brown and a dedicated crew, he had presided for nearly 40 including Al Comtois, Warren years. By this point, the David Bechhoeffer, John Schultz, Clyde Swing murals were painted black, Hunnicutt, Don Rey, Bob to be less distracting to the audi­ Bellemore, and Don Story, rebuilt ence, four of the seven prosceni­ the organ. With a cooperative the­ um 'ropes' were removed to atre management, the organ group widen the stage, and much of the located replacement parts, donat­ lobby and interior detail was ed labor, and Paramount paid for painted neutral. At the same time, parts and supplies. It was decided the organ was ordered to be that the console would remain, as removed so space occupied by the would the Gottfried pipework, chambers could be used for other but chests and relays would be purposes. replaced with Wurlitzer. The The Meisel & Sulli- drapes behind the organ grilles van/Wurlitzer was purchased by were removed and chamber walls a local enthusiast, and eventually were covered with sound-reflec­ broken up for parts. Today, the tive sheathing. original console is in the residence The Solo Tibia was replaced by of Beverly and Tom Fizzel of a large scale Wurlitzer Tibia from Phoenix, and the Gottfried Kinura the Los Angeles Paramount, with is incorporated into the Mesa a Salicional added from the same Organ Stop Pizza instrument. instrument. Bill Brown loaned the Although such productions as chapter an English (Post) Horn, Annie and I Do, I Do with Mary bringing the organ up to 13 ranks. Martin and Robert Preston played As work progressed and the the Palace West, it was becoming organ sounded better than ever, more difficult to attract an audi­ the workers organized in 1963 to ence to the downtown area. In become the original Valley of the 1977, the building was leased to Sun chapter of American Theatre the Corona family which screened Organ Enthusiasts, later to Spanish-language films. At the become ATOS. same time, downtown Phoenix Although downtown Phoenix was beginning to revive. Several suffered the decline common to high-rise office buildings, two many city cores during the same hotels, Symphony Hall and the time period, the Paramount was Convention Center were built still considered a premier motion within a few years. picture house in the city and chap­ It was the city of Phoenix itself ter members often played over­ which ultimately saved the the­ tures to feature films such as The atre. In 1984, it acquired the block Longest Day, Cleopatra and The containing the theatre as a site for Sound of Music. But when its new 20-story city hall. The next Paramount built a new suburban year, the city succeeded in having theatre as its Phoenix flagship, the theatre placed on the National and refused to provide chamber Register of Historic Places. 1988 space so the organ could be saw the city voters approve $7 moved, the handwriting was on million in funds for restoration, the wall. with the Orpheum Theatre In 1968 James Nederlander of Foundation started the following New York City purchased the year to raise the remaining funds. house, rechristened it the Palace At right: The famous "Peacock"spiral West, and started remodeling it for staircaseat far side of main lobby.It con­ production of musical comedies nects the lower lounges, main lobby and and plays. On a cold winter night, second level lobby and balconies. in the building without heat, Gan; Quesada photos

THEATREORGAN 1,400 with wider seats, and handi­ ed the use of his extensive warehouse capped access provided. Even the and workshop as the focal point of Restorationhas had clouds, stars and sunsets have activity until theatre reconstruction itsprice. returned. However, restoration has was advanced enough to allow pre­ had its price. Construction of the liminary work to proceed on-site. The Constructionof the orginal building cost $750,000; return­ city provided much larger chambers ing it to its 1929 glory cost $14,500,000! than the original, and doubled the size originalbuilding cost Since none of the bond funds or of the swell shade openings. Thus, the mon ies raised by the Orpheum new organ to expanded to its present $750)000;returning it to Foundation included an organ project, size of 30 ranks. its 1929glory cost the Valley of the Sun Chapter decicat­ Included among the parts collected ed itself to assembling, rebuilding, is a pair of 1948 Aeolian-Skinner $14)500)000! and installing the finest Wurlitzer pos­ Violes from the Tabernacle organ in sible. Spearheaded by Bill Brown, Salt Lake City, an Austin Horn Adrian Phillips, Lyn Larsen and Don Diapason and Principal from the Solo In a brilliant stroke of planning, the Reasor, the project advanced on many division of the Los Angeles city decided to incorporate the entire fronts. Adrian successfully hammered Philharmonic Hall organ, and a Orpheum building into its new city out a contract with the city of Phoenix Wurlitzer three-manual console from hall plan, with the new high-rise tow­ allowing the chapter to install and the Paramount Theatre in ering behind the theatre, providing maintain the instrument in return for Middletown, New York. Fourteen of the utilities and services for both use of the building several times a the Wurlitzer ranks are from the Radio structures. A cement and brick alley year for concerts and programs. Lyn City Roxy (Center) Theatre, in New wall of the theatre has become an inte­ and Bill began locating and acquiring York City. rior wall of the city hall lobby. As the suitable organ parts, while Don head­ Some of the instrument has ties theatre became an integral part of the ed the fund-raising project. Bill donat- with Arizona's theatre organ history. new city halt it enabled the The Style E Main Tibia Clausa stage to be expanded to a depth and Open Dia pas on are from of 47 feet, the fly to be extended the Fox Theatre, Tucson. The upward to 66 feet, and an inte­ Flute Celeste/Concert Flute is rior loading dock constructed from the Fox Theatre, Phoenix. underneath city hall to service In this new instrument the the theatre. Small shops on the only part to be utilized from ground floor of the theatre were the original Phoenix Orpheum transformed into an expanded Theatre organ is the 7-1/2 hp lobby and box office area with­ Spencer "Orgoblo" blower. It out destroying the integrity of assists a 10 hp Spencer in pro­ the building. In addition, the viding an adequate wind sup­ street in front of the theatre has ply. been closed, landscaped, and incorporated into a plaza. ■■ The most delicate work was The organwill be in the interior restoration. The murals were removed and dedicatedin October restored by Conrad Schmitt by LynLarsen, Studios, then reinstalled. and heard Decorative painting was also accomished by Conrad Schmitt November28 and 29 Studios. Four missing prosceni­ at the um 'ropes' were replicated in Valleyof the Sun fiberglass and finished to match the original three. The spectacu­ DesertWinds lar 'peacock' staircase, sprialing RegionalConvention. from lower lobby to balcony level, was restored to its origi­ nal silver leaf and aqua lacquer As the projectreaches its splendor. An original carpet completion,the organis scrap found in an organ loft emergingas a matchto the was cleaned and became the grandeurof its newhome. pattern for weaving the replace­ A view of the second level lobby with the right and exterior bal­ ment. Seating was reduced to cony, overlooking the 2nd Avenue Memorial Mall, left. ■■

10• JULY/AUGUST 1997 THEATREORGAN Above: The rotunda room, second level. This room is a favorite intermission meeting place.

At right: New receptionareas utilizing former retailshop spacealong Adams Street. ThisPhoenix) once again) has risen.

Below:Exterior balconyand architecturaldetail of the building

MAIN(Left Side) SOLO(Right Side) Concert Flute VoxHumana Open Diapason Tibia Clausa (15") Flute Celeste Tuba Horn Viole d' Orchestre English (Post) Horn Viole Celeste Salicional Krumet Quintadena Clarinet Voix Celeste Oboe Horn Horn Diapason VoxHumana Horn Diapason Celeste Viole Trumpet (Style D) Viole Celeste Musette Diaphonic Diapason Brass Saxophone Brass Trumpet Orchestral Oboe Tibia Clausa (10") Kinura Violin MAIN (exposed) Violin Celeste Xylophone (37 note) Traps Glockenspiel (37 note) Vibraphone (49 note) Chrysoglott( 49 note) Chimes (25 note) PROSCENIUM (exposed) Sleighbells (25 note) Wood Harp (Marimba) (49 note)

SOLO (exposed) Xylophone (30 note) Glockenspiel (30 note) Traps Traps

THEATREORGAN JULY/AUGUST 1997 • 11 ~ e(tetii 'Wincid;', 7) Friday,November 28, 1997-Sunday, November 30, 1997 PHOENIX,ARIZONA ••••••••••••••••••••••••• •• • • • • ••••••••••••••••••••••••••

The Organ Stop Pizza's Mighty Wurlitzer is one of the largestand finest theatreorgans in the world today. Its 5000+ pipes, numerous percussionsand countless traps are masterfuily presentedby world class musicians.

THEFIRST UNITED Williams has performed on this organ ranks are from the original Meisel and METHODISTCHURCH many times and is very comfortable Sullivan organ which was the first 3/56SIPE playing bright and spirited selections. organ installed in the Orpheum Located in the more affluent north Theatre. The chapter oversees the care central area of Phoenix, the church is a THEFIRST CHRISTIAN and maintenance of this small installa­ group of modern design buildings. CHURCHFELLOWSHIP HALL tion. The sanctuary is enhanced by the 2/11WURLITZER multi-colors of the stained glass win­ Located in the north central area of THEWILLIAM P. BROWN dows. The Casavant organ was built Phoenix, the Fellowship Hall adjoins RESIDENCEORGAN in 1958 as a 3 / 58, has been enlarged the sanctuary of the First Christian 5/34WURLITZER several times by Casavant. In 1995, the Church designed by the associates of Originally having 21 ranks when Robert L. Sipe Organbuilders, rebuilt Frank Lloyd Wright. The acoustics are this 5 manual Wurlitzer was first the organ making modifications and much brighter in the renovated hall home in Chicago's Paradise Theatre, revisions to a 3 / 56 organ. The chancel where a 2/11 Wurlitzer is installed, a complete with cupids and waterfall renovations now allow the console to hybrid of parts from over the country. sides. It now has 34 ranks. The organ be moved to the center of the altar The console and many parts were went to the Richard Vaughan record­ area so the organ can e seen fully and donated by J.B. Nethercutt, founder of ing studio in California where many to be featured in organ recitals. Many the Merle Norman Tower of Beauty in early Hi-Fi label records were cut. It AGO recitals are often held here. Lew San Sylmar, California. Two string came to Phoenix in 1962, the installa-

12•JU LY/AUGUST 1997 THEATREORGAN Left to right: Jonas Nordwall, Walter Strony, Lew Williams, Ron Rhode

Below:John Giardina,Ralph Wolf, Rob Richards, & CharlieBalogh

tion in the new home being built by restaurant in 1975 as a 3i23. construction phase a large parking William and Barbara Brown began in Improvements followed in 1984, a garage with theatre complex above 1964 and was completed in 1968. The larger 4 manual "Waterfall" style con­ the parking. Homes abound to the home, located in the north central area sole was added. Many rare pipes have parameter of the hotel. Across the of Phoenix, down a tree-lined lane, is been added and in 1995 over 5000 Camelback Road is the very upscale constructed around the organ. pipes were in the organ. A new 2 story Biltmore Fashion Park, a very popular Percussions are both in a living room building was built, the new location of shopping area with many fine restau­ balcony area and behind the dining Organ Stop being opened in the fall of rants including Planet Hollywood. room. The console occupies an alcove 195, hardly losing a customer from the Stores such as I. Magnum and Saks in the living room area and the two previous location. The organ is Fifth Ave., anchor this park. No organ chambers are located behind installed in four chambers at one end Target, Wal-Mart, or fast foods, just 30- two sets of expression shades, playing of the restaurant. 43-foot ceilings pro­ 40 fine, upscale businesses set in a gar­ out over the rear dining area, washing vide unparalleled acoustics. The con­ den/park setting that will give our music over the heads of diners and sole is "presented" on an 8000 lb. conventioneers an opportunity to into the listening/living room. A total rotating hydraulic elevator. Many of relax during a few hours of down­ rebuild in recent years included instal- the percussions such as xylophones, time at the hotel. . lation of a play-back system that glockenspiels, drums and novelty enhances the quality of this fine instal­ lighting and effects are installed in the TRANSPORTATION lation. dining room for greater audience From Sky Harbor Airport, which appeal. Balcony seats up to 190 and serves the Phoenix area, the Su per ORGANSTOP PIZZA main floor seats up to 410. Shuttle is the best and least expensive RESTAURANT service from airport to hotel, a shared 4/67+WURLITZER CONVENTIONHOTEL ride service operating 24 hours a day, Organ Stop's original Wurlitzer Ritz-Carlton Hotel, a fine resort­ costing $9.00 a person one way. theatre organ was built for the Denver commercial hotel at 2401 E. Reservations by attendees made in Theatre and installed in 1927. In the Camelback Road, phone 602/ 468- advance: 602/244-9000. Should atten­ theatre, it was a style 260, with a con­ 0700. Hotel is located in the exclusive dees desire individual service or figuration of 3/15. Organ Stop pur­ busy business/ shopping corridor at pooled service with companions, we chased the instrument in the early 24th Street and E. Camelback Road. may suggest Execucar (operated by 1970s, rebuilt and enlarged the organ Next to the hotel is the Hard Rock Super Shuttle) at 602/232-4600 for and installed it in the original Mesa Cafe, Cine Capri Theatre, and in the reservations.

THEATREORGAN JULY/ AUGUST1997 • 13 EVENTSTIMETABLE, VENUES & ARTISTSINVITED

FRIDAY,NOVEMBER 26, 1997 Morning Registration at Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 2401 E. Camelback Road 1:15 p.m. First buses load to First United Methodist Church, 5510 N. Central Avenue 1:30 p.m. Last buses leave for First United Methodist Church 2:00-4:00 p.m. Concert by LEW WILLIAMS on 3/56 Casavant pipe organ rebuilt 1995 by Robert L. Sipes, Organbuilders 4:00 p.m. Buses from First United Methodist Church to Ritz-Carlton Hotel 4:00-7:00 p.m. Leisure time in hotel area - dinner in area 7:00 p.m. First buses load 'to Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams Street 7:20 p.m. Last buses leave for Orpheum Theatre 8:00-10:00 p.m. Concert by RON RHODE on newly installed 3/30 Wurlitzer pipe organ, in this refurbished/restored atmospheric theatre reopened January 29, 1997 10:00 p.m. Buses from Orpheum Theatre to Ritz-Carlton Hotel

SATURDAY,NOVEMBER 29, 1997 (Conventioneers are divided into 3 groups: "Red," "White" and "Blue" for this day only upon registrationcheck-in) MORNING: 8:30 a.m.-12:45 "Blue Group" - Leisure time, hotel area or sightseeing. Enjoy lunch. 8:30 a.m. "Red Group" - First buses load to W.P. Brown residence, 7243 N. Central Avenue "White Group" - First buses load to First Christian Church Fellowship Hall, 6750 N. 7th Avenue 8:40 a.m. Last buses load for destinations for "Red" and "White" groups 9:00-10:10 a.m. "Red Group" - Concert by LEW WILLIAMS on 5/34 Wurlitzer at W.P. Brown residence 9:00-10:10 a.m. "White Group" - Concert by ROB RICHARDS and RALPH WOLF on 2/10 Wurlitzer and show piano at First Christian Church Fellowship Hall 10:15 a.m. "Red Group" - buses leave from W.P. Brown residence to First Christian Church Fellowship Hall 10:15 a.m. "White Group" - buses leave from First Christian Church Fellowship Hall to W.P. Brown residence. 10:45-11:55 a.m. "Red Group" - Concert by ROB RICHARDS and RALPH WOLF on 2/10 Wurlitzer and show piano at First Christian Church Fellowship Hall 10:45-11:55 a.m. "White Group" - Concert by LEW WILLIAMS on 5/34 Wurlitzer at W.P. Brown residence 12 Noon "Red & White Groups" - buses leave from respective venue to Ritz-Carlton Hotel AFTERNOON Noon-7p.m. "Red & White Groups" - Leisure time, hotel area or sightseeing. Enjoy lunch. 12:45 p.m. "Blue Group" - First buses load to W.P. Brown residence 1:00 p.m. "Blue Group" - last buses depart to W.P. Brown residence 1:30-2:40 p.m. "Blue Group" - Concert by LEW WILLIAMS on 5/34 Wurlitzer at W.P. Brown residence. 2:40 p.m. "Blue Group" - buses load/ depart from W.P. Brown residence to First Christian Church Fellowship Hall 3:15-4:25 "Blue Group" - Concert by ROB RICHARDS and RALPH WOLF on 2/10 Wurlitzer and show piano at First Christian Church Fellowship Hall 4:25 p.m. "Blue Group" - buses load/ depart to Ritz-Carlton Hotel 4:25-7:00 p.m. Dinner and leisure time for all groups EVENING 7:00 p.m. First buses load to Orpheum Theatre, 203 W. Adams Street 7:20 p.m. Last buses leave to Orpheum Theatre 8:00-10:00 p.m. Concert by WALTER STRONY on newly installed VOTS Chapter 3/30 Wurlitzer pipe organ in the beautifully restored Orpheum Theatre now owned and operated by the city of Phoenix 10:00 p.m. Buses from Orpheum Theatre to Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

14 • JULY/ AUGUST 1997 THEATREORGAN SUNDAY,NOVEMBER 30, 1997 7:00 a.m. Buses load and depart to Organ Stop Pizza, 1149 E. Southern Avenue, Mesa 8:00 a.m. Breakfast for all at Organ Stop Pizza (is included in convention fee). May sit in balcony or on main floor. Stair access to balcony only. 9:00-11:00 a.m. Concert by CHARLIE BALOGH, Organ Stop Pizza Organist, on 4/65+ Wurlitzer 11:00 a.m.-11:30 Buses load and depart to Food Plaza Area at Gilbert Road and E. Southern Avenue for lunch. Choice of about 12 food facilities ranging from cafeteria to sit down to fast food shops. Location is 1 mile from Organ Stop Pizza. This will allow time for Organ Stop to clean up and setup for next concert. 12:15-12:30 Buses load at Food Plaza Area to return to Organ Stop Pizza 1:00-3:00 p.m. Concert by JONAS NORDWALL on 4/65+ Wurlitzer featuring new console 3:00 p.m. Buses load and depart to Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Organ Stop Pizza prepares to re-open for regular business hours at 4:30 p.m. Convention officially closed after concert by Jonas Nordwall. EVENINGAFTERGLOW For attendeeswith reservations 6:00 p.m. Buses load and depart to Yesterday's Restaurant, 8041 N. Black Canyon Hwy., Phoenix 6:15 p.m. Last bus to Yesterday's 6:30-10:30 p.m. Dinner and entertainment featuring owner DAVID LINDSAY at the electronic organ with his singing and performing waiters and waitresses, a show of shows for all valley visitors. David is long-time member of VOTS and ATOS 10:30 approx. Buses load and depart to Ritz-Carlton Hotel

REGISTER EARLY for Three Days of Great Music and Fun in Beautiful Phoenix, Arizona!

(See RegistrationForm on Magazine Wrap)

rr'ri,ise{egant copy of the famous four-manua{ 'Wuditzer conso{efrom the Paramount %eatre in 'BrooK{yn, ?{g,w 'Yori( was recent{y created for the home studio of Afr. & Afrs. 'Vincent «r.51.veni of Lyndhurst, Ohio to contro{ their forty­ ranl( 'Wuditzer o,gan.

When you demand authenticity, qua£ity and re£ia6i£ity, theres on{y one choice...

CROME ORGAN Co. P.O. Box 18212 • Reno, Nevada 89511 Telephone (702) 852- I 080

THEATREORGAN JULY/ AUGUST1997 • 15 Reprintfrom THEATRE ORGAN are rather cryptic, it seems advanta­ were two manual organs of from Summerand Fall 1960 geous to use, insofar as is practicable, three to five ranks of pipes and var­ the factory interpretation of these ied assortments of traps and percus­ numbers when referring to instru­ sions. In these models the lower man­ ments which are specific examples of ual was the actual piano keyboard standard models. with contacts on 61 of the 88 keys for To this end I am happy to accept playing the "Accompaniment" stops. SomeNotes the flattering invitation of the editors A control was provided for muting of THEATRE ORGAN to compile the piano hammers when it was on some data on the subject. The infor­ desired to play organ stops without mation presented here comes from piano on the lower manual. The several sources including a set of stop upper (solo) manual was a standard WURLITZERlists inherited from the dusty files of 61 note organ keyboard. a local Wurlitzer sales representative, The earliest of these (insofar as I console photographs, personal have been able to determine) was a smE acquaintance with a number of style 135, number 172 in the list, instruments, and conversations with shipped 6/3/18. It is possible that NUMBERS several men who worked on original some of the models prior to this also Wurlitzer installations. had piano consoles; our information by Gordon Kibbee There were some 68 different num­ on pre-1919 instruments is very mea­ bers (or letters) used to designate ger. standard models or those with only Gordon Kibbeeis one of the most slight deviations from standard. In MODELS PLAYED FROM deservedly loved and admired of all organs in which the differences were PIANO CONSOLES: theatre organists. When asked to make very great, and/ or for which a stock Style 105, 3 ranks: Salicional, the results of his researchavailable to THEATRE ORGAN readers,Mr. Kibbee console shell could not be used, the Flute-Bourdon 16', Vox Humana, graciously consented, and this is the instruments were usually labeled (for Chimes (first Example: #596). beginning of his study. His 'notes' are of example): special, 3 man, 4 man, or 4 Style 108, 3 ranks: Same plus great value to those who wish to know man special. Certain special models, Xylophone, Glockenspiel and Snare more about the fabulous Wurlitzer Story however, were so nearly alike that Drum. Pedal Traps: Bass Drum, and of real help in understanding the they could have been given a model Kettle Drum, Cymbal, on second meanings of the various model numbers number and in some cases later mod­ touch (first: #621). and their designations. Once again we els which were practically identical Style 109, 3 ranks: Same plus more are grateful to Gordon Kibbeefor sharing with a number of earlier "specials" traps and effects (first: #611). his talent with all of us. were given a new style number. Style 110, 3 ranks: Open Diapason, Instances of this practice will be Salicional, Flute-Bourdon 16', One of the most important items of noted in future issues as these num­ Chimes, (no traps) (first: #205). theatre organ lore to all enthusiasts, bers appear in the list. Style 135, 4 ranks: Trumpet, and certainly one of the most fasci­ The 68 numbers mentioned above Salicional, Flute-Bourdon 16', Vox nating, is the Wurlitzer factory ship­ do not include church models but do Humana, Percussions, Traps and ment list, the third installment of include 11 models of residence Effects, Pedal traps on second touch. which appears in this issue of THE­ organs, the first of which appeared in (135A, 135B, different percussions?) ATRE ORGAN. 1927. (first: #172). Many devotees have expressed a Some data on each of 25 of the Style 1: Earlier version of Style 135 desire for information about the style most frequently recurring numbers is - Vox 8' and percussion on solo man­ numbers by which the Wurlitzer fac­ summarized here. These 25 models ual only. tory identifies various sizes and mod­ account for more than 1300 of the Style 160, 5 ranks: Trumpet, els of instruments shipped through 2234 shipments of new Wurlitzer Diapason-Dia phone 16', Salicional, the years. In addition, some of us organs. Viole Celeste (tenor C), Flute­ who have worked around Wurlitzer The sequence of numbers used Bourdon 16' Percussions and Traps theatre organs for more years than here is according to size, that is: the same as 135 (first: #184). we might like to admit are somewhat number of sets of pipes and the num­ prone, on occasion, to become a little ber of manuals normal to organs of MODELS PLAYED FROM vague about the meanings and indis­ the particular style indicated. Except REGULAR 2-MANUAL CONSOLES criminate in the application of the where otherwise noted, all sets listed (a few 3-manual exceptions are noted): numbers in referring to particular start at CC (eight feet). Style 100, 3 ranks: Salicional, installations. So, in the interest of bet­ A collation of "the list" and factory Flute-Bourdon 16', Vox Humana, ter, more efficient communication stoplists in our collection indicates Chimes. Total number shipped: 14 among all of us who share an ardor that between 1918 and 1928 some beginning with #602. for these marvelous instruments, and four hundred instruments played Style B, 4 ranks: Trumpet, for the further benefit of our newer from piano consoles were shipped to Salicional, Flute-Bourdon 16', Vox members to whom the style numbers theatres in all parts of the U.S. These Humana, Chimes, Xylophone,

16• JULY/AUGUST 1997 THEATREORGAN Glockenspiel, Bass Drum, Kettle Humana, Chimes, Sleigh Bells, Style 210, 9 ranks: Harmonic Tuba­ Drum, Cymbal, Snare Drum, Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Chryso­ Tuba Profunda 16', Diapason­ Tambourine, Castanets, Chinese glott, Snare Drum, Tambourine, Diaphone 16', Tibia Clausa, Clarinet, Block. Second touch on pedal and Castanets, Chinese Block, Triangle. Orchestral Oboe, Violin, Violin both manuals. Smallest model with Pedal Second Touch: Bass Drum, Celeste, Flute-Bourdon 16', Vox second touch on manuals. Thirteen Kettle Drum, Crash Cymbal, Cymbal. Humana; Percussions, Traps, effects assorted sound effects controlled by Second touches also on both manu­ similar to D, E, and F. Second touch toe studs or push buttons. Smallest als. Three toe pistons for Pedal, 10 on pedal and both manuals. Three toe model with combination action -- 3 pistons for each manual. Largest reg­ pistons for pedal combinations, 10 pistons for each manual. 209 shipped ular model with no Tibia Clausa. pistons for each manual, 4 tremu­ including 78 specials, 5 divided, and Beginning with #197, Reno, Majestic lants. Two chambers. Five horse 5 divided specials. (first: #487). Theatre, 12/21 /18, 26 organs of this power blower. Approximately 45 Style 170, 5 ranks: Trumpet, model were shipped. Last one #748, shipped. First 210: #208. Diapason-Dia phone 6', Flute­ 12/15/23. It will be readily apparent Style H, 10 ranks: Harmonic Tuba­ Bourdon 16', Vox Humana, Dulciana, upon comparing their stoplists that Tuba Profunda 16', Diapason­ same percussions, traps, effects and the 185 with a Tibia Clausa added Diaphone 16', Tibia Clausa, Clarinet, pistons as Style B. Second touch on would be equivalent to a style F, and Kinura, Orchestral Oboe, Violin, pedal and both manuals. Style 170 is it seems that it was in this way that Violin Celeste, Flute-Bourdon 16', smallest model with 16' Diaphone. 15 the F developed. Only one Style 185 Vox Humana, Piano, 85 notes played shipped: first #387, last #684 was delivered after the first appear­ from organ console by remote action. w /celeste. ance of the F, and some of the 185's Other percussions, traps, effects simi­ Style D, 6 ranks: Trumpet, had Tibias added after installation. At lar to Styles D, E, F, above. Second Diapason-Diaphone 16', Tibia Clausa, least one, #321, was shipped with the touch on pedal and both manuals. Salicional, Flute-Bourdon 16', Vox added Tibia. Three toe pistons for pedal, 10 for Humana, Same percussions, traps, Style 3: From the information at each manual. Two chambers. Five and effects as Styles Band 170, plus a hand it would a pp ear that the Sty le horse power blower. Approximately Chrysoglott. Second touch on pedal 185 was merely a newer number for 94 shipped, including 36 specials, 1 and both manuals. Five pistons for the earlier Style 3, the two being with echo, 9 with 3 manuals, 1 special each manual. Smallest regular model nearly identical in selection of stops. 3 manual. First H: #530 (a 3-manual). to include Tibia Clausa. A very well Between 1911 and 1918 there were First 2-manual H: #561. balanced selection of ranks for a about 53 organs of this model Style 215, 10 ranks in 2 chambers: small organ. A total of 201 were shipped. The first Style 3 was the Harmonic Tuba-Tuba Profunda 16', shpped including 21 specials and 47 eighth organ, built 1911, the last was Diapason-Diaphone 16', Tibia Clausa, divided. First D in list is #502 and last #187, 10/26/18. An inspection of the Clarinet, Kinura, Orchestral Oboe, is #2068. list at this point reveals the abrupt Viole d'Orchestre, Viole Celeste, Style 165: Beginning with #1878 disappearance of this number and the Flute-Bourdon 16', Vox Humana. the D was superceded by the Style first appearance of the Style 185 less Wood Marimba-Harp. Other percus­ 165 with which it wa _s practically than two months later. sions, traps, effets, and accessories identical except that the 165 had the Style F, 8 ranks: Tuba Horn­ similar to D, F, H, 210. 13 shipped. Tibia "unified" at more pitches. Ophicleide 16', Diapason-Diaphone First 215: #697. #1878, itself, however, as well as 16', Tibia Clausa, Clarinet, Violin, #1982, were exceptional examples in Violin Celeste, Flute-Bourdon 16', 3-MANUAL MODELS: that a Post Horn was substituted for Vox Humana, Percussions and Traps Style 235: 11 ranks in 2 chambers. the Trumpet. Approximately 17 were and effects approximately as in D and Harmonic Tuba-Tuba Profunda 16', shipped. E. Tuned sleigh bells. More stops on Diapason-Diaphone 16', Tibia Clausa Style E, 7 ranks: Trumpet, second touch, 3 toe pistons for pedal (Solo scale), Clarinet, Orchestral Diapason-Diaphone 16', Tibia Clausa, combinations, 10 pistons for each Oboe, Kinura, Viole d'Orchestre, Violin, Violin Celeste (Tenor C), manual. Two chambers. 92 shipped Viole Celeste, Salicional, Flute­ Flute-Bourdon 16', Vox Humana. including 25 specials, and 7 having 3 Bourdon 16', Vox Humana, Piano Percussions, traps, effects, second manuals. First F: #562. (remote electropneuma tic action), touches and pistons as in Style D. The Style 190, 8 ranks: Trumpet, Sleigh Bells (tuned), Xylophone, principal difference between Style D Diapason-Diaphone 16', Tibia Clausa, Glockenspiel, Orchestral Bells and Style 1 is the substitution of the Clarinet, Violin, Violin Celeste (Tenor (Glockenspiel reiterating), Chryso­ Violin (large scale) for the Salicional C), Flute-Bourdon 16', Vox Humana. glott, usual traps and effects. Second and the addition of the Tenor C Normally installed divided between touch on pedal and on Accompani­ Celeste rank. Beginning with #778 two chambers. Percussions, traps, ment and Great manuals. Three toe there were approximately 155 includ­ effects, second touches, pistons, pistons for pedal, 10 pistons each for ing 13 specials and 56 divided. approximately the Style D, E, and F. Accompaniment and Great. Five or 6 Style 185, 7 ranks: Tuba Horn­ This was a later model, the first pistons for Solo (3rd manual). Ophicleide 16', Diapason-Diaphone a pp earing in 1926 as #1395. 43 Blower: 7-1 /2 h.p. 41 shipped. First 16', Clarinet, Viole d'Orchestre, Viole shipped including 4 specials and 3 235: #353. Celeste, Flute-Bourdon 16', Vox with 3 manuals. (continued)

THEATREORGAN JULY/AUGUST 1997 • 17 Style 235, Special: The above 11 Diapason-Dia phone 16', Clarinet, Vox Humana (6" w.). ranks plus usually a brass trumpet Saxophone, Solo String, Viole Brass - 2 ranks: Tuba Mirabilis 16' and one or two softer stops such as d'Orchestre, Viole Celeste, Flute­ (25" w.), English Horn (Post Horn) Horn Diapason or Dulciana, and/ or Bourdon 16', Vox Humana. Three 16' (15" w.). a second Salicional (celeste). At least Style 35 organs shipped. First: Solo - 6 ranks: Saxophone, Quin­ two of these models have a Post Detroit, Broadway Strand, 6/26/15; tadena, Trumpet, Oboe Horn, Horn instead of Brass Trumpet, plus Second: Oakland, T and D Theatre, Orchestral Oboe, Kinura. additional couplers. Some also had 9 /13 I 16; Third: Tacoma, Rialto Echo - 8 ranks: Oboe Horn, Flute­ 16' Tibia 12 note extension and most Theatre, opus 178, 7 /31/18. Bourdon 16', Horn Diapason, Gamba, had Registration Crescendo Pedal. 28 Style 260, Special: 17 ranks (usu­ Gamba Celeste, Viole d'Orchestre, shipped. First 235 Special: #846. ally): 15 ranks of 260 plus Horn Viole Celeste, Vox Humana (6" w.). Style 260: 14 or 15 ranks, two Diapason, and Dulciana. Typical Additonal set of chimes, snare drum. chambers, Trumpet (Brass), Tuba examples: Grauman's Chinese, Percussion: Large assortment of Horn-Ophicleide 16', Diapason­ Hollywood - #1541; United Artists, special percussions and traps, some Diapason 16', Tibia Clausa 16,' 9th and Broadway, Los Angeles - in special chamber, others distributed Orchestral Oboe, Kinura, Clarinet, #1731; United Artists, Detroit, in pipe chambers, varying somewhat String, Viole d'Orchestre, Viole Michigan - #1824; Keith Memorial in different installations. Celeste, Flute-Bourdon 16', Vox Theatre, Boston - #1115, had 20 ranks, Common order of manuals from low­ Humana, Oboe Horn, Quintadena, no 32'. In the "Chinese" installation est up: l, Accompaniment; 2, Great Saxophone (omitted in at least one the Saxophone was replaced by a (and Echo); 3, Bombarde; 4, Solo. example, #505, Grauman's Egyptian Krumet although the tablets on the Second touch on Pedal and first three in Hollywood, California). The console were never changed. In some manuals. Pizzicato touch on Pedal Diapason and Tuba are larger in scale examples of this style an economy of and manuals 1 and 2. Combination and on higher pressure than in small­ space and lumber was effected by Pistons: Pedal, 3 (toe); ten each plus er models. Piano, other percussions, having only six pipes instead of "Suitable Bass" action for Accompan­ traps, effects as in 235. Second touch twelve in the bottom octave of the 32' iment, Great, and Bombarde; six for on pedal and lower two manuals. Diaphaone. Each pipe served for two Solo. Four expressions pedals and Three toe pistons for pedal, 10 pis­ notes, e.g., CCCC and CCCC# were indicating keys. One general expres­ tons for each manual. Among the produced by the same pipe, the prop­ sion pedal and indicating key with special features of this model which er note being obtained by means of a couplers. Register crescendo pedal. were not regularly included in small­ pneumatically actuated tuning flap at The long pipes of the 32" Diaphone er organs were (1) Pizzi ca to touch; (2) the top of the resonator. Register were usually unenclosed; in some 32' Wooden Diaphone extending into Crescendo Pedal included. The piano organs, standing backstage, in others, 8' octave to FF, Metal Open Diapason was usually omitted. Blower: 10 h.p. lying horizontally across the prosce­ from FF# up; (3) Suitable Bass Tablet Another famous 260 special, #1757, is nium arch. (piston under each manual); (4) regis­ in the Mosque, Richmond, Virginia. Blowers: 25 h.p. for 15" wind 10 h. ter Crescendo Pedal in some later This organ contains ·a Tuba Mirabilis p. for 25" wind. organs of this model; (5) 16' Tibia in addition to the Tuba Horn but Another unusual feature of the 285 extension, 12 pipes; (6) Indicating there is no Dulciana. Complete sto­ and other early large models was the keys connected to expression pedals. plist of #1757 in Tibia, Vol. 1, No. 3. inclusion of a device known as First 260: #383, Ascher Theatre, First 260 special in list: #870; Albee "Sforzando Touch" which controlled Cincinnati, Ohio, 1/24/21. Last 260: Theatre Brooklyn, New York - the swell shutters of the Brass and #1908, Kenmore Theatre, Brooklyn, 7 /30/24. Last: #2085; Seneca Theatre, Foundaton Chambers from the man­ New York, 7 /17 /28. Total: 22 style Buffalo, New York. A pproxima tel y ual keys. When the Sforzando Touch 260's. Blower 7-1/2 or 10 h.p. thirty-two 260 specials. tablet was on for any given manual Style 35, 15 ranks: The earlier and no keys depressed on that manu­ model (pre-1920) from which the 260 4-MANUAL MODELS: al, the shutters were open two stages was descended was known as Style Style 285, 32 ranks, 5 or 6 cham­ ahead of the normal position with 35, and had a 3 manual console with bers: Ranks are listed here in order of respect to the posion of the swell Solo (3rd) manual of 37 notes from their placement on manual chest pedal at that moment. When any key Tenor C up. This was a "straight" from rear of chamber toward shut­ on the manual in question was division with the pipes on a 49-note ters. All stops on 10" except as noted. depressed, the added open shutters 6-rank straight chest. The six ranks Main - 9 ranks: Tuba Horn­ would immediately close, giving the were: Trumpet (Brass), Tibia Clausa, Ophicleide 16', Salicional, Open effect of an accent (or sforzando) to Orchestral Oboe, Kinura, Oboe Horn, Diapason, Viole d'Orchestre, Horn the attack of the first note of a phrase, Quintadena. The 49-note ranks Diap\lson-Diaphone 16', Viole or to each note if played non-legato. provided pipes in the top octave of Celeste, Flute, Clarinet 16', Krumet. According to the factory shipping the manuals when couplers were All on 10" wind except Tuba on 15". list there were four organs of this used. The other 9 ranks were unified Foundation - 7 ranks: Diaphonic­ model: #402 - Missouri Theatre, St. on the Accompaniment and Great Diapason 32' (25" w.), Solo String 16', Louis/ shipped 1st carload 3/25/21; manuals and on the Pedal, and Tibia Clausa 16' (15" w.), Gamba, 2nd and 3rd carloads 3/28/21; 4th included: Tuba Horn-Ophicleide 16', Gamba Celeste, Harmonic Flute 4', and 5th carloads 4/8/21; #416 -

18 •JULY/ AUGUST 1997 THEATREORGAN Granada Theatre, San Francisco (now usually a second Tibia. For full details Sleigh Bells, Usual traps and effects. Paramount) 5/16/21; #434 - Chicago of the famous Isis organ see the arti­ Second touch on pedal and both Theatre, Chicago 7 /18/21; second cle in The Tibia, Vol. 1, No. 1. manuals. Three toe pistons for pedal console 10/12/23; #534 - Grauman's Item #138 in list, "Portland, combinations, 10 pistons for each Metropolitan, Los Angeles (now Liberty Theatre, Style 4; 6/2/17" manual, 4 tremulants. Installed in Paramount) 3/31/22. appears to be either an error or a dif­ two chambers, 5 ranks in each. Any 4-manual Wurlitzer of more ferent Liberty Theatre from the one This model has three very note­ than 20 or 21 ranks is frequently with the 4-manual special. worthy features: 1. The English Post referred to as a "285" but this is not in Horn (on 10" wind), the smallest reg­ accord with factory records and spec­ ular model with this stop; 2. Several ifications which list the above four NOTESON very useful couplers, namely: instruments and no others by this WURLITZERSTYLE NUMBERS Accompaniment Octave, Solo to style number. In one factory list the (PART2) Accompaniment, Solo Sub, Solo organ in Shea's Buffalo Theatre is Available information about later Unison Off, Solo Octave, Solo to shown as a "285" but the complete models not included in the first Accompaniment Second Touch; 3. original list calls it "Spec." (Special). installment of "Notes on Wurlitzer Register Crescendo Pedal, the only Furthermore, the stop layout of this Style Numbers" will be presented in two manual model with this device. organ differs markedly in several this and future issues to coincide It may also be of interest to note important respects from that of the with the first appearance of each new that all eleven of these organs were above four "285s"; for example: It has style number in "the list." installed in theatres in Southern 28 ranks rather than 32, and no Echo The only such item in this issue is California. [Sic, the Editor] organ. Disregarding the Echo section, the style 216. Eleven organs of this the "285" had 24 ranks including but model appear in the list, the first Footnote to comments on Piano one Tibia, thus the Buffalo job had being #1142 Rialto Theatre, South Consoles, Vol. 2, No. 2, page 5, (col. 3, four additonal ranks in the organ Pasadena, California, 8/27 /25. 5th line from bottom): proper. These were Vox Humana Style 216, 10 ranks: English Horn, While the upper manual was an Solo, Dulciana, Tibia Plena, and Tibia Harmonic Tuba-Tuba Profunda 16', organ keyboard of standard 61-note Clausa Solo, giving a total of three Tibia Clausa, Clarinet, Orchestral compass the keys were considerably Tibias, two in Foundation Chamber Oboe, Viole d'Orchestre, Viole shorter than normal and the fulcrum and one in Solo Chamber. In most Celeste, Concert Flute-Bourdon 16', much closer to the front, making other respects the pipe content of the Vox Humana. Wood Marimba-Harp, these something less than ideal in the Shea's organ was similar to that of Chrysoglott, Xylophone, Chimes, matter of playing ease. the "285s"; however, the stop-tab lay­ out on the console was quite differ­ ent. There were several other organs of approximately this size: #1984 - TheatreOrgan Societv olAustralia Paramount, Brooklyn. Special 4, 10/30/28 - 26 ranks; #2101 - 26th National Convention Metropolitan, Boston, 4 -manual. 3/20/30 - 26 ranks (see The Tibia, Vol. II, No. 4, Summer 1958, page 14 for Soundsational Pipes complete stoplist of this organ). #2000 - Mastbaum, Philadelphia. 4 manual. in Sii5fflroE 11/30/28 - 27 ranks. Friday 10th to Monday 13th April 1998 Precursors of the Style 285 were in Adelaide, South Australia the California Theatre, San Francisco, Featured Artists 6/2/17; Isis Theatre, Denver, 6/12/15; #164 Liberty Theatre, * Lew Williams [USA] * Chris McPhee [A US] * John Giacchi [A US] Portland, Oregon, 2/12/18; #170 * David Johnston [AUS] * Ryan Heggie [AUS] * John Atwell [AUS] Coliseum Theatre, Seattle, 5/22/18. Event Highlights and Featured Organs These organs are designated in the list merely as "Special." In those early Jl 4/19 Capri Theao·e Organ Jl 3/15 Wurlitzer plus 4 ran!-.. •' 2/12 WurJitzer. 4-manual instruments as noted in glas fronted chambers. mixture. (St Perer·s Collegel [Pulteney Grammar School] regarding the Style 35, the Solo Seven concert , silent movie wiLh organ, brass band, 3D slides, jam session, jazz group, Organ was "straight," i.e. not dinner dance with piano & band , professionally catered meals. After-Glow tour and more. playable on other than the top manu­ Enquiries: TOSA Convention Secretary Package Tours:- Mrs Gail Ward Jim & Shirley Clausen Susan Cole al except by coupling. These solo ~ 11 Lepena Crs 619 NE 190th Ave PO Box 653 ranks were in some cases on a 49 note HALLETT COVE SA 5158 PORTLAND OR 97230-7501 MOUNT DORA FL32757 (from Tenor C) straight chest and If AUSTRALIA Ph:[503] 665 6633 Ph:[904J383 6975 included Trumpet, Orchestral Oboe, Ph/Fax: +61 8 8387 1554 E-mail: [email protected] Kinura, Oboe Horn, Quintadena and

THEATREORGAN JULY/AUGUST 1997 • 19 PARTTWO SACRAMENTO'S MEMORIALAUDITORIUM May17, 1997 was a majorday in the longlife of the 4-manualEstey organ in Sacramento'sMemorial Auditorium. This date markedthe first pubic ESTEYperformanceof this 49-rank symphonic organ in over22 years.

Several years back, the auditorium be considered a restoration; that can should have included Estey. Barnes itself was nearly lost to a misguided and will come in time. further notes "Estey was an innovator remodel which would have turned the To say that the crew succeeded in stop controls." 2 That is an under­ civic facility into yet another modern, would be an understatement. The statement. While there can be no argu­ 2000-seat, acoustically-dead auditori­ purpose of the May 17 event was to ment the original console must be pre­ um. The organ, were it to have been reacquaint citizens with this largely served from an historic standpoint, a retained, would have been massively forgotten treasure. Seven Sacramento planned second, more traditional con­ altered, largely forgetting its orches­ area organists performed works rang­ sole will be a welcome relief. These tral, symphonic era roots. ing from Fox's setting of "Now Thank "luminous" consoles were very trou­ Thanks to a very vocal group of cit­ We All Our God" performed by Scott ble-prone and cost Estey to a great izens led by Richard La Voie, Measure Nels on to a wide repertoire of organ degree by having to replace faulty H was placed on the Sacramento City music by Elgar, Fletcher, Lang, mechanisms. The organ is loaded with ballot. The voters overwhelmingly Messiaen, Boyce and Guilmant. The their typical "Haskell 1 /2-length open voted for Measure H, essentially stat­ organ's accompaniment facilities were basses," named after Estey innovator ing, "restore the auditorium," DO superbly demonstrated by organist William E. Haskell. The organ con­ NOT alter it. As a result, the large Andrew Carhartt and the Sacramento tains a few of Haskell's other inven­ building has been restored to its origi­ Men's Chorus. tions including a reedless oboe nal appearance and decor. The build­ What of the organ's tonal facilities? (Fagotto) and Cor Gloria (labial ing's "little theatre" has yet to be It has a fine, noble ensemble which at Saxophone). Yet, the organ has some restored, but given time and funding, times can be of the French superbly voiced orchestral reeds as shall also see restoration. romantic/Cavaille-Coll and yet at well as the Haskell work. These reeds Again, Richard La Voie chaired other times capably sounds forth in a are known to have been sub-let to "The Pipe Organ Committee" which manner of the English-Willis tradition. companies such as Gottfried, White saw to it a major amount of work by With 9-16' stops typical of its era, the and Pierce. volunteers was accomplished begin­ organ has loads of pedal fundamental, The organ is not in any respect a ning in December 1996. Surveyed by but is never muddy. Unlike many theatre organ. However, it was built local pipe organ serviceman Scott Estey organs of the period, this instru­ during the era of the theatre organ Nelson, the organ was found to have ment is placed on pitman/ duplex or and as such, contains many of the suffered a major amount of damage unit chests. There is not a single ventil voices found in theatre instruments. by vandals, careless stage workers, chest in the organ. Pressures range From time to time ideas have floated construction people and so on. from 6" for the Choir to 20" for the to the surface to "theatre-ize" the Hundreds of smashed, broken and unenclosed Solo Ophicleide unit. organ or, as earlier mentioned, mas­ stolen pipes greeted the volunteers. As magnificent as the organ is sively alter and modernize the instru­ This was a drastic change from the tonally, the 4-manual "cash register" ment. This would be a great tragedy condition of the organ when last pri­ console is a nightmare. This is one of for one of the last remaining Estey vately played and surveyed in 1990 two such consoles known to exist (the civic installations. From a "popular" (see THEATRE ORGAN "Memorial other is in the Scottish Rite Cathedral, music standpoint, if an organist plays Auditorium Estey" May 1990, page Oakland, California). William H. lively marches or transcriptions, the 22). From the outset, the goal of the Barnes wrote, " ... The mind of man organ serves admirably. To limit play­ organ crew was to get the organ never has thought of a more difficult ing to ballads, the organ can be whipped into playable condition as console to play than the Aeolian ..." 1 depressingly funereal, but the instru­ fast as possible; this phase was not to Mr. Barnes certainly could have and ment is not designed to be solely a

20 •JULY/ AUGUST1997 THEATREORGAN theatre organ and should not be ••••••• ••••••• ••••••••• .... •••••••••••······· •• •••• •••••• ...... •• judged from such a standpoint. • •••• •••••••••• ••! •••••• ••fl·•···•••••••• • In support of the venerable old - Estey, many concerns helped solidify the efforts of the volunteers. Local hardware stores, photo labs and organ service technicians gave of their time. Schoenstein and Co. Pipe Organ Builders and the ATOS Sierra Chapter also gave towards the project. Without the help of many people and organi­ zations, the Estey would remain silent. While the organ cannot, at this time, be considered restored, it is playable again. We can all look for­ ward to the day when the instrument is fully restored in its original environ­ ment. With competent guidance and care, this magnificent symphonic Estey shall be around for years. The Estey "luminous" or "cash register" console.

1 William H. Barnes, Edward B. Gammons, Two Centuries of Americn Organ Building, 2 Ibid., p. 28. (Glen Rock, New Jersey:J. Fischer & Bro.first edition), p. 67. STOPLIST: EsteyConcert Organ, Opus 2526, 1927

SACRAMENTOMEMORIAL AUDITORIUM SWELL14 ranks;?"wind; stage right. GREAT8 ranks;7" wind(Tuba 15"); stage left. No. Pitch Name No. Pipes/Source No. Pitch Name No. Pipes/Source 29 + 16' Gedeckt 101 1+ 16' Diapason (1-10, Haskell. 29sc) 97 30 * 8' Open Diapason 73 2* 8' 1* Diapason (39sc) 73 31 * 8' Melodia (1-11 Haskell) 73 3+ 8' Diapason #1 32 + 8' Gedeckt #29 4* 8' Tibia Clausa (1-12 Haskell) 73 33 * 8' Salicional (1-12 Haskell) 73 Sdx 8' Tibia Plena (Choir) #65 34 * 8' Viole Celeste (TC) 61 6* 8' Gross Flute 73 35 * 4' Traverse Flute 73 7dx 8' Flute Celeste (Choir) #67 36 + 4' Gedeckt #29 8 dx 8' Viol d' Amour (Choir) #68 37 + 2-2/3' Gedeckt #29 9dx 8' Viol d' Amour Celeste (Choir) #69 38 + 2' Gedeckt #29 10 + 4' Diapason #1 39 + 1-3/5' Gedeckt #29 lldx 4' Wald Flute (Choir) #73 40 * IV Mixture (8, 12, 15, 17) 244 12 + 2' Diapason #1 41 + 16' Double Trumpet 13 * III Mixture (4', 12th, 15th, 4'=58sc) 183 (97 note pipe unit; 10" wind) 97 14 + 8' Tuba 73 42+ 8' Trumpet #41 43 * 8' Oboe 73 GREATCOUPLERS: 44+ 8' Horn (14" wind) 73 15 16' Great to Great 45 * 8' Vox Humana 73 16 8' Great unison off 46 + 4' Trumpet #41 17 4' Great to Great 47 Tremulant 18 On & Neutral 19 16' Swell to Great SWELLCOUPLERS: 20 8' Swell to Great 48 16' Swell to Swell 21 4' Swell to Great 49 8' Unison Off 22 16' Choir to Crea t 50 4' Swell to Swell 23 8' Choir to Great 51 On & Neutral 24 5-1/3' Choir to Great 52 16' Choir to Swell 25 4' Choir to Great 53 8' Choir to Swell 26 16' Solo to Great 54 5-1/3' Choir to Swell 27 8' Solo to Great 55 4' Choir to Swell 28 4' Solo to Great 56 8' Solo to Swell (continued next page)

THEATREORGAN JULY/AUGUST 1997 • 21 CHOIR 14 ranks;6" wind;stage left. PEDAL3 ranks;1 O" wind; stage left. No. Pitch Name No. Pipes/Source No. Pitch Name No. Pipes/Source 58 + 16' Dulciana (1-24 Haskell) 108 108 32' Acoustic Bass 16'OW + 16'BRD 58 dx 8' Tibia Clausa (Wood, 1-11 Haskell) 73 109 + 16' Open Diapason (wood; 6"wind) 44 59 * 8' Concert Flute (Wood, 1-8 Haskell) 73 110 16' 2nd Diapason (GT) #1 60 dx 8' Flute Celeste (Wood, 1-11 Haskell) 134 111 + 16' Bourdon 44 61 dx 8' Viol d' Amour (1-12 Haskell) 73 112 16' Gedeckt (SW) #29 62 dx 8' Viol d' Amour Celeste 61 113 16' Dulciana (Ch) #57 63 * 8' Viol d'Orchestre (1-6 mitered) 73 114 8' Open Diapason #109 64 * 8' Viole Celeste (TC) 61 115 8' Bourdon $111 65 + 8' Dulciana #57 116 8' Gedeckt (SW) #29 66 dx 4' Wald Flute 73 117 16' Ophicleide (SO) #93 67 + 4' Dulciana #57 118+ 16' Trombone (15" wind) 44 68 + 2-2/3' Dulciana #57 119 16' Double Trumpet (SW) #41 69 * 2' Flautino (70sc) 61 120 16' Contra Fagotto (CH) #73 70 + 2' Dulciana #57 121 8' Ophicleide (SO) #93 71 + 1-3/5' Dulciana #57 122 8' Tromba #118 72+ 1' Dulciana #57 123 8' Fagotto (CH) #73 73 + 16' Fagotto (Labial, 1-12 Haskell) 97 124 4' Ophicleide (SO) #93 74 * 8' French Horn 73 75 + 8' Fagotto #73 PEDALCOUPLERS: 76 * 8' Clarinet 73 125 8' Great to Pedal 77 + 4' Fagotto #73 126 4' Great to Pedal 78 + 8' Harp 48 bars 127 8' Swell to Pedal 79 + 4' Harp 128 4' Swell to Pedal 80 Tremulant 129 8' Choir to Pedal Sustain Pedal 130 4' Choir to Pedal 131 8' Solo to Pedal CHOIRCOUPLERS: 132 4' Solo to Pedal 81 16' Choir to Choir 82 8' Unison Off PISTONS 83 4' Choir to Choir Generals: 1-7 (thumb) 84 On & Neutral Great: 1-6 (thumb) Double-touch Pedal 85 16' Swell to Choir Swell: 1-7 (thumb) Double-touch Pedal 86 8' Swell to Choir Choir: 1-7 (thumb) Double-touch Pedal 87 4' Swell to Choir Solo: 1-6 (thumb) Double-touch Pedal 88 8' Solo to Choir 2nd Touch Pedal: 1-4 (thumb)

SOLO 1O ranks; 15" wind; stage right As seen in 1990, Solo Trumpet No. Pitch Name No. Pipes/Source and OrchestralOboe in the 89 * 8' Stentorphone 73 SacramentoEstey. 90 * 8' Major Flute 73 91 * 8' Violines (1-10 mitered) 207 92 * 4' Hohl Flute 73 93 + 16' Ophicleide (20" wind) 85 94 + 8' Ophicleide #93 95 + 8' Trumpet 73 96 * 8' Orchestral Oboe 73 97 * 8' Cor Glori (Labial, open wood) 73 98 + 4' Ophicleide #93 909 Chimes (20 notes Deagan) 100 Tremulant SOLOCOUPLERS: 1 General Cancel 101 16' Solo to Solo Reversible Pedals: Great to 102 8' Unison off Pedal, Swell to Pedal, Solo to Pedal, 103 4' Solo to Solo Swell to Great 104 8' Swell to Solo Master: all expression pedals on Swell expression pedal 105 4' Swell to Solo Sforzando Pedal 106 8' Great to Solo Crescendo Pedal 120 stages 107 4' Great to Solo * = straight pitman chest / + = unit chest / dx = duplex

22 • JULY/ AUGUST1997 THEATREORGAN BEJR_KEIJBX

resenting the first recording on the recently expanded 4/33 Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ at Berkeley Community Theatre.

Who Cares (Gershwin) ■ Chant ofthe jungle (Brown)

WillyWonka Medley (Newley) ■ Three Preludes(Gershwin) CD:US$20 I CASSEftE(full-length, real­ Tiptoes Medley (Gershwin) ■ Pie in YourFace Polka (Mancini) time): US$ I 4 USA/Canada/Mexico. Other countries add US$1.25 (all funds in US Blue Rondo a la Turk (Brubeck) ■ Bohemian Rhapsody (Mercury) dollars). Checks/money orders/VISA/ MasterCard welcome. Order from: & ■ Damn Yankees Medley (Adler Ross) LoveWill Finda Way (Blake) Nor-CalTOS Three Movements from "The Nutcracker" (Tchaikovsky) P.O. Box 27238 Oakland, CA 94602-0438 Reprintfrom THEATRE ORGAN headed organist at the Fisher Theatre in those days mothers with crying BOMBARDE,August 1969 in Detroit who was the delight of the babies were requested to take the chil­ small fry who like to shoot gum-wads dren out to the lobby. Nevertheless, at his head to see if they would stick. some employees would occasionally Another organist at the Fisher, Don get out of line. In one theatre, the jani­ AccidentsMiller, got his the day he was riding tor got drunk periodically, and he up on the lift and was frighteningly would then go up to the projection bombarded with a multitude of small booth and start cursing the lady-man­ pellets that rattled all over him and the ager of the theatre. One night his tim­ Will console. Don didn't stop playing while ing was wrong, for I had just stopped his rapid inspection revealed that playing the organ and was going out Happen someone had thrown a bag full of for a scheduled rest period. The janitor jellybeans at him. After the solo, Don ·was delivering his customary high­ by John Muri hauled the young culprit into the man­ pitched uncomplimentary and vulgar The reason so many of us older pipe ager's office for a severe dressing descriptions of the lady to the projec­ organ buffs like to keep the vision and down. tionist. It was all heard down in the sound of the theatre of the twenties I was up in the spotlight one night auditorium, in which the lady was alive is that we remember the vitality at the Palace Theatre in Gary, Indiana, watching the movie. She sprinted up and activity of the time. Theatre was a about five years ago, when I was to the booth, made her own loud buzzing enterprise, with a large reser­ shocked to have someone tap me on speech (which all of us heard), and voir of talent to draw upon and usual­ the shoulder. The lift was up at stage fired the mouthy offender. The next ly enough customers to keep the doors level, but the conspicuous position day she hired him back. I think they open year in and out. Today's picture didn't phase this character, who asked like each other in a kind of oddball theatre suggests a mausoleum with its if I would be able and willing to play way. closed balconies, its lonely ticket taker the "St. Louis Blues." I didn't have One is not expected to make rioise and popcorn girl, and its perpetual time to explain anything to him at that while a performance is going on, and darkness that mercifully hides the busy moment, but I did succeed in old professionals like L.F. Steinert, now decay. shooing him off while playing up a of Birmingham, Michigan, knew it and There were dangers, however, in storm of music at the same time. At the observed it. Steinert was architectural the "good old days." Most theatres Hoosier Theatre in Whiting, Indiana in engineer on such theatres as the were crowded buildings, and one 1924, I had to play some unplanned Chicago and Oriental (Chicago) and could get into someone else's way in a exit music because the theatre building the Fisher and Hollywood in Detroit. hurry. I remember a night in 1928, was on fire. There wasn't much dan­ He smelled trouble when he helped an when I was due to relieve the house ger, for the fire was in a remote spot, organ purchaser remove an organ orchestra at 10:30 p.m. in the Indiana but smoke was billowing through the backstage during a matinee perfor­ Theatre at Indiana Harbor, Indiana. I house and I was alarmed. I was afraid mance. The pipe chambers were quite had lain down backstage and gone to that my job was going up in smoke high, and the entrance doors to them sleep (for I was feeling miserable with with the theatre. Actually, we shut opened onto the stage, about four sto­ a flu attack and had virtually crawled down for only one night. ries up. It was the intention to remove to work that night) when suddenly I We had vaudeville and movies at a five-rank Hillgreen-Lane chest by came to with a start, realizing that the Hoosier. One Sunday we had an swinging it out and lowering it to the there was no music playing in the the­ animal act made up in part of five stage floor with a block and tackle. atre. I looked at the clock and pan­ bears. At rehearsal, the bears got loose Steinert warned the fellows that they icked; it was quarter to eleven, and from their cage and they emptied the should not use any of the stage lines or none of the house staff had been able Hoosier stage of personnel in nothing ropes, because the old hemp had lost to find me. I hurried up through the flat. The rehearsal crew was chased its spring and was in all probability orchestra pit and was making my way out of the theatre - with the act right very brittle. Ignoring Steinert's advice, through the drummer's equipment after them. Combined efforts of the they tied some old stage-line around when it happened. I dumped over his trainer, policemen, firemen, and the­ the huge chest and pushed it over the set of orchestra bells in a quiet theatre atre employees, rounded up the loose stage. Away she went! The rope broke with two hundred people present. The bears, some of them roaming happily instantly, the chest hit the stage floor bells fell into a couple of cymbals and in the back yards of homes in the with a crash, bounced around four or set up a clatter that seemed to last an vicinity. five times, hit against the back of the age, although the episode was proba­ You had to be quiet in most theatres picture screen and ricocheted while bly all over in a few seconds. It created when the show was on and you were falling to pieces. There was nothing to a big laugh, and I got a bawling-out waiting your turn to perform. Noisy take home but a heap of kindling from the manager. conversation backstage or up in the wood. The dirt and grime of forty There was a danger in going up into projection booth was not the accepted years billowed up and out of the pic­ the spotlight on a lift. You became a thing. It was understood that no pro­ ture screen, sending a cloud of dirt into beautiful target. There was a bald- fessional would disturb an audience; the auditorium. The audience, first

24 •JULY/ AUGUST1997 THEATREORGAN petrified and then terrified, made for the exits. They thought that the theatre had been bombed and that it was now IIA ■ ltA on fire. The manager ran around the PR DUD LY PRESENTS auditorium trying to calm the people. Two New Compact Disc Recordings He had a tough time getting anybody By to come back in. One of the more lasting misfortunes GEORGE WRIGHT would occur when a manager would hire an organist merely on hearsay without an audition. I worked for one manager who needed an organist for a vacancy in his finest theatre. I wanted the job myself, but he wanted to bring in an outside name, an organist from the eastern part of the country. He found a man who had worked for Stanley and Publix theatres, but he did not take into consideration the fact that the man had moved about from job to job frequently. When the new man got to town and played his first performance, the man­ ager was very upset. The organist's playing was stiff and amateurish, and I was called over to the big theatre for a George Wright midnight conference, at which I was PLAYING THE HOLLYWOOD PHILHARMONIC ORGAN ordered to play the organ so that the new man could get an idea of what RHAPSODY IN BLUE BA 59657 kind of sound was desired and DDD required. The poor fellow just couldn't This is the latest recordingfrom the "LivingLegend ". With notes on the musicfrom George himself and original give what was demanded; he got his covera rt workby Mrs.Jesse Crawford this album will becomea GeorgeWright collectors classic. This albumwas notice the following evening and the recordedin fulldigital sound and includesthe followingselections: SHAKING THE BLUESAWAY, BLUE management had to eat crow because HAWAII,YANCEY SPECIAL BLUES, BLUE SKIES, BLUE TWILIGHT, VALSE BLUE, MOOD I DI­ of the big buildup that had been given GO,ALICE BLUE GOWN , AM I BLUE?,MY BLUEHEAVEN, THE BIRTHOF THE BLUES,LITTLE BOYBLUE, L'HEURE BLEU, BLUE MOON, I GET THE BLUESWHE IT RAINS,BLUES SERE­ the new organist in the press. That NADE,and for the ultimate" Rhapsody" Georgegives us, THE FRIE DLYSKIES OF GERSHWIN. experience taught me that one should never buy a pig in a poke - particu­ HAIHA larly when the pig is an organist. ORIGINAL M A S T E R SERIES VOL. 2 Liquor would bring about accidents FLIGHT TO TOKYO &ENCORES II in our fraternity. I know of at least two BA 59658 well-known organists who used to get ADD so full that they would fall off the We are proudto releasethis the secondin thisnew series of GeorgeWright classic recordings with " Flightto organ seats. Both of them did it by tak­ Tokyo" and "EncoresII". BANDAOriginal Master Series are produced from the originalmaster tapes which have ing their bows and not remembering beencarefully preserved and nowtransferred to the digitalformat using the latestmastering techniques . Youwill noticethat theyhave little of the distortion,excessive equalization and tapehiss present in earlierreleases of these to come up again. One of them landed albums. If youenjoyed the originalLP of"Flightto Tokyo" youwill love this CD it bringsthis classic music to life in the orchestra pit. He just bowed and letsyou enjoy all of the classicGeorge Wright arrangements with new clarity and vitality. " EncoresII" con­ until he disappeared. tainsmany favorites like Granada, Laura, Bahia, Veradoro, Orchids in the Moonlightand manymore. With all its vicissitudes, the theatre organ period was a good one in which OTHER GEORGE WRIGHT RECORDINGS AVAILABLE FROM BANDA: to be young. There was individualistic Girls! Girls! Girls!, Original Master Series Vol. 1, The Art Of George Wright Vol. 1, opportunity, innocence and joyfulness Fox Vol. 1, Fox Vol. 2, Let George Do It, Chicago, Nifty Fifty, Hot Pipes, Anything Goes, (call it naivete if you like), and creativi­ Kaleidoscope, Red Hot and Blue. ty on a small but eminently satisfying ORDER BY TITLE AS FOLLOWS: scale. Even if things went haywire; at US & Canada $20 Postpaid First Class / England $23 (US) Postpaid Air Mail least you had something to talk about Australia $24 (US) Postpaid Air Mail - afterward. What's a hippie got to talk or laugh about? View our catalog and order on the internet (http://wcbi.com/organs/cds/banda.htm) PS. In thosedays we found the organscom­ Send Order To: Hmula P.O. Box 1620 Agoura Hills, CA 91376-1620 plete;they had all their pipesand parts in them.

THEATREORGAN JULY/ AUGUST1997 • 25 "AnAcre ofSeats ina Palace ofSplendor" UNITEDARTISTS LosAngeles, California Opened:December 26, 1927 Architect:C. HowardCrane Capacity:2214 Organ:Wurlitzer 3/17 Style260 SP.,Opus 1731

Most of the major studios were developed by theatremen to guarantee a steady flow of prod­ uct into their theatres, but at United Artists the studio came first. Established in 1919, UA did not begin to think about theatres of its own until 1925. Crane was engaged to design the first three houses in a projected circuit of twenty­ two. The theatres in Chicago, Los Angeles and Detroit shared a flamboyant ornamental scheme described by decorator Tony Heinsbergen as "Drip-Castle Gothic." The largest of the set, the Los Angeles UA is the only one to survive rela­ tively intact: Chicago is gone and Detroit has been grossly altered. The theatre is particularly celebrated for the rr:,.uralsin the arches flanking the lower balcony. They were painted on canvas in the Heins bergen studio ·and cemented to the walls. Decades later Heinsbergen still recalled his diffi­ culties with Mary Pickford, who watched the entire project closely. None of his proposals sat­ isfied her, and time was running short. He had the inspiration to add a montage of the United Artis ts and a few other screen figures to an existing design. Once Miss Pickford found her­ self in the picture, she was entirely pleased, and the panels were completed on schedule.

Top: Walker & Eisen, a localfirm, designed the thirteen­ story office building into which Crane put this theatre.

Bottom: The main lobby is quietly finished in simulated travertine up to the spring-line, then explodes into color. Note how the carpet reflects the articulation, if not the precisepattern of the ceiling designs. Heinsbergenalways regardedthis as one of his very finest jobs, and justly so. In both scale and decoration,this is an exceptionalspace for a theatreof only modest size.

26 •JULY/ AUGUST1997 THEATREORGAN While some historians feel the UA should have been built in the new theatre district on Hollywood Boulevard rather than downtown, it was still a prosperous house. In the 50s the mezzanine loge was removed to accommodate the new wide screen processes and a massive curved screen was erected outside the original proscenium. Later it switched to Latino prod­ uct, as did most of the big theatres downtown. More recently it has become the headquarters for the ministry of Dr. Eugene Scott. A twin to Grauman' s Chinese, the UA' s Wurlitzer had a Krumet and Dulciana in addi­ tion to the usual equipment of the Style 260. Installed in four shallow chambers, it had the reputation of being quite aggressive, and was always popular with the local organists. Buddy Cole like it so much he finally bought it and married it to the smaller Robert-Morton he had been recording on for some time. The 32' "trap door" Diaphones remained in the theatre; later they went to the California, San Diego. After Cole's death in 1964, the combined organ went to a pizza parlor in San Jose, California, and then to England. Steve Levin

CORRECTION: (March/ April 1997) The Louisville Palace was sold at auction in December 1996, not 1995. We still have no report on who bought it or what use it is now getting. Thanks to THS Executive Director Richard Sklenar for this information. Above: The auditorium repeatsthe lobby's pattern of buff travertine belowand great riots of color above. One of the sidewall murals is visible at the far left. The shadow of the balcony indicates that the photographershave brought in their own lights, but For membership, back issue publications, they have also used the theatre's own indirect lighting. Photographsof this sort are photo availability, research and museum very rare:usually the house lighting was left off. hours information, contact: THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 152 N. York St. #200 Elmhurst, IL 60126-2806 630 I 782-1800

Right: Miss Pickford posed for at least two photographs seated at the Wurlitzer. As is customary in this sort of shot, no stops appear to be drawn. In a rare reversal of the usual procedure, the console was shipped with an ivory finish and later stripped. By the time it appeared briefly in The Benny GoodmanStory (1956) it had a nat­ ural wood finish. (The Wurlitzer logo did not actually appear on the side of the console; the photographer dubbed it in later.

All photographs: Terry Helgesen Collection, THS. Reproduction in any form without written consent is prohibited.

THEATREORGAN JULY/ AUGUST1997 • 27 Life" is followed by Rossini's exhila­ JULY/AUGUST PIPEORGAN rating "La Danza" in which J elani RECORD,BOOK & TAPEREVIEWS exhibits his fantastic keyboard tech­ EXTRAVAGANZA#1 nique. FiveOrganists George Gershwin Remembered is ForThe Jelani's 14-1/2 minute tribute to one of There have the world's favorite composers and been live organ includes "Love Is Sweeping the concert record­ Country," "Nice Work If You Can Get ings before - It," "Embraceable You," "I Got BUT - never RECORDSRhythm," "The Man I Love" and an has there been RALPHBEAUDRY, EDITOR excerpt ( the slow theme) from an opportunity Compact discs, cassettes, videos, Rhapsody in Blue which is reminiscent to hear five of and books to be reviewed should be of Jesse Crawford's rather unusual the finest organ­ sent to Ralph Beaudry, 12931 arrangement! From one of the best is ts, playing three organs (and a Haynes Street, North Hollywood, Steinway concert grand) in solos, CA 91606-1021. Please be aware known to one of the least appreciated items must be receivedthree composers, Jelani showcases Kurt duets and en masse at one event! To months prior to the issue date in Weill's "Speak Low" - the organ lilts have a generous sampling of the which the review will appear. to the subtle beguine rhythm and note event's highlights captured on a 75- Information telephone: the haunting solo voice in the second minute digital recording in truly 818/509-9512. chorus. Throughout this album, Jelani spine-tingling, "You Are There" sound is exploring the wonderful voices and is even more unprecedented! RHAPSODY­ combinations in this instrument. Next The event, of course, was the Grand JELANIEDDINGTON up is, we believe, a first recording on Finale program of November, 1996' s pipes of LeRoy Anderson's "Penny "Joliet Organ Fling" at the luxurious For this third Whistle Song" featuring flutes and Rialto Square Theatre. The five artists release J elani flute celestes. appearing live are Barry Baker, Simon is, once again, A lush Hoagy Carmichael jewel, Gledhill, Tom Hazleton, Jim Riggs and presenting the "The earness of You," precedes a Walt Strony. There was also a sixth inaugural CD medley of Irving Berlin favorites from "phantom" organist, David of a major the­ the first Astaire-Rogers film, Top Hat. Wickerham. Dave had programmed atre organ. His Included in this 13-1/2 minute med­ the Barton's new relay to play "The first album, ley are "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails," Ride of the Valkyries" during the con­ Here's Jelani "Isn't This a Lovely Day," "Cheek to sole' s initial ascent through a blanket featured the Manual High School 3/26 Cheek," and "The Piccolino." Next to of fog, and to play "There's No Wurlitzer in Indianapolis. His second closing is a jazz delight, "Since I Fell Business Like Show Business" at the was made on the 3/27 For You." Note Jelani's tasteful use of program's conclusion; both selections Kimball/Wurlitzer in Greenfield, pizzica to touch on this one. Liszt's are included on this album. A review Wisconsin's Organ Piper Music devilish "Hungarian Rhapsody #2 in of Dave's first CD, Steppin' Out to the Palace. On Rhapsody Jelani introduces C# Minor," concludes this album Rialto will appear in the next Journal. the 3/31 Dr. Karl Saunder's residence which does live up to the definition of Besides the now 4 / 24 original Wurlitzer in Zanesville, Ohio. a rhapsody as it overflows with enthu­ installation Barton, Allen Organ This truly unique organ is briefly siasm, excitement and passion! Company provided both an MDS described in the liner notes but was Rhapsody has our highest recom­ Theatre III and AP-20 (the equivalent more completely detailed in the cover mendation for the artistry of 22-year­ of a 4/70 classic organ) and sufficient story of the November 1992 THE­ old Jelani, the organ building skills of power and speakers for a not-to-be­ ATRE ORGAN. Allen Miller, the spacious in-theatre forgotten sound when all three (plus This 75-1/2 minute album opens sound (without added reverb) cap­ the Steinway) are being played. With a with a favorite console-raiser, "That's tured by Dick Clay, and 12 pages of near SRO crowd, laser animation, Entertainment" (not from the 1931 excellent liner notes. Available in cas­ pyrotechnics, confetti cannon and, of Broadway production of The Band sette for $14.00 and CD for $20.00 course, the artists' "inter-play" Wagon but written especially for the (both postpaid) from R. Jelani throughout the event (particularly in 1953 film version.) One bouncy Edding ton, P.O. Box 200064, New the program's finale), is it possible to delight deserves another so next up is Haven, CT 06520-0064. successfully capture the exuberance the Oscar nominated Johnny Mercer and excitement of this event? Perhaps tune "Something' s Gotta Give" writ­ not completely because of the visual ten for the Fred Astaire-Leslie Caron elements. But, with the skillful editing film Daddy Long Legs. Michael of the 2-3/ 4 hour program, it includes LeGrand's languorously seductive just enough of the spoken introduc­ "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your tions and audience reaction and

28 •JULY/ AUGUST1997 THEATREORGAN applause to quite successfully trans­ lush. "The Old Rugged Cross" is the­ port a listener to the Rialto. (The liner atrical with a gentle beat. Indeed the notes also help fill in most of what is same could be said for most of Bob's visually missing.) registration and arrangements. Master of Ceremonies Lee Maloney "Abide With Me," "Sweet, Sweet introduces first Simon Gledhill at the Spirit" and "He Lives" are Barton playing a quietly tender "Boy Hammond-flavored upbeat, jazzy Next Door." Simon moves to the Allen gospel delights! Space precludes list­ and is joined by Barry Baker on piano ing all the album's titles, but among for "Jamaican Rumba" after which AVALONSUNDAY­ the other 14 hymns are a drum-laden Barry solos on the Allen with "Aba march "Leaning on the Everlasting Dabba Honeymoon." Walt Strony BOBSALISBURY Arms," "Amazing Grace," "His Name takes over the Barton for his "patent­ With this, his third recording of the is Wonderful," "Precious Lord, Take ed" arrangement of "Nola" and original installation 4/16 Page organ My Hand," and "I Need Thee Every Dmitri Tiomkin' s imposing themes in the Avalon Theatre on Catalina Hour." from the 1955 film, Land of The Island, Bob Salisbury joins a limited Theatre organ buffs looking for Pharaohs. A medley of "Hindustan" but distinguished list of organists who something a bit different than the and "Japanese Sandman" features Jim have recorded albums of religious usual pop tune list will find this disc Riggs at the Barton. Next is Tom music played on theatre pipe organs. completely satisfying. Lots of variety Hazleton with a rousing "War March In the LP days there were Paul in tempo, mood, and registration. It of the Priests" on the classical Allen Carson, Dean McNichols and Lorin makes one wonder why so few and a 7-minute medley from Oklahoma Whitney and, more recently, cassettes churches have an organ like this played on the Barton. of hymns and sacred music have fea­ which handles sacred music so well! All too soon it's "Grand Finale" tured Tom Hazleton, John Led won It's available in cassette for $10.00 and time featuring all five organists, each and Paul Quarino. CD at $20.00 (both postpaid) from soloing a major popular composer For over 15 years Bob has been the Island Recording, 1903 El Camino de (Berlin, Rodgers, Porter, Gershwin, resident organist at the Page organ la Luz, Santa Barbara, CA 93109. and Kern) on one or another of the and has overseen its rehabilitation, (Bob's previous releases, A Page from instruments in a 10 tune, 18-minute although he's been associated with it Avalon and Christmas Island are still medley. You'll need the liner notes to since he was a teenager in the late 50s. available - same formats, prices and help follow this. The artists are con­ Over the years, too, he's served as ordering information.) s tan tl y switching instruments and organist for the island's churches. adding bits of ''business" to break up Despite having just 16 ranks, this Page ATHOME WITH each other (and the audience); listen boasts three complete rows of stop too, for those musical non-sequiturs. tabs so the organ's unification pro­ JACKMOELMANN It's obviously the evening's highlight! vides virtually unlimited tonal combi­ At Home wit 1 ... A frequent The only possible encore is Sousa's nations which Bob uses to demon­ Master of Cere- "Stars and Stripes Forever" with all strate " ... the wide range of sounds monies at ATOS five artists going full blast on three and colors the organ is capable of pro­ Conventions, organs and piano! Talk about bringing ducing." (A complete stop list is Jack, a member down the house! included in the liner notes.) of ATOS for over Aside from the great organists and The 27 selections on this 69-minute 30 years, has magnificent instruments, the success album include almost everyones' served three of this album lies in the superb record­ favorite old-time hymns along with times as Presi­ ing and mastering of Digital Sonics' some lesser known titles and a few dent, currently is Jim Stemke who puts the listener in hand-clapping, foot-stomping gospel our National the very best center balcony seat. Our delights. Franz Schubert's "Ave . Secretary, and only regret is this album was not Maria," Martin Luther's "A Mighty recently retired from the U.S. Air issued as a 2 CD set so we could hear Fortress" and Malotte' s "The Lord's Force after 26 years in communica­ more of the wonderful music making Prayer" are a few of the traditional tions and electronics. Jack's musical which occurred! CD only for $20.00 favorites. Among the Sunday School career playing keyboards started at (postpaid except add $1.00 more for melodies there are "This Is My age eight and over the years he's Canada and $4.00 more for overseas) Father's World," "Jesus Loves Me, developed into a crowd pleasing from Joliet Area Theatre Organ This I Know," and "There Is Sunshine organist/ entertainer who's played Enthusiasts, P.O. Box 471, Joliet, IL in My Soul Today." most major venues from coast to 60434. Bob's arrangement of Sullivan's coast! In 1973, while "moonlighting" "Onward Christian Soldiers" is at Shakey's Restaurant in Anaheim, briskly dramatic while "In The California, playing a 2/10 Wurlitzer, Garden" is filled with religious fervor he made his first, and until now, only and "Fairest Lord Jesus" is warm and recording! (continued)

THEATREORGAN JULY/ AUGUST1997 • 29 ► FORTHE RECORDSCONT. "Let There be Peace on Earth." Special" now being removed from Closing out the cassette are a ricky Manchester's Free Trade Hall (see A few years ago Jack bought a tick "Alexander's Ragtime Band," John Potter's article in the January, '97 Rodgers 340 "Century" electronic "We Need a Little Christmas" (with Journal.) No one knows this instru­ which, with his electronic skills, has tuned sleigh.bells) and an 8-minute ment better than Nigel who, on July 8, become a truly unique custom-built Tribute To America composed of "Battle 1973 was the last to play it in its origi­ theatre organ boasting an additional 7 Hymn of the Republic," "Dixie," nal Paramount/Odeon Theatre home ranks of pipework, an arsenal of real "Battle Cry of Freedom," "When and four years later to the day, tuned and untuned percussions, Johnny Comes Marching Home," reopened it in the Free Trade Hall. dozens of musical action figures, "America," "This Is My Country" We are reviewing these albums upright piano, and Kurzweil synthe­ and, with Air Force jets roaring over­ together for all the tracks were record­ sizer! Now the equivalent of a 3/22 head (courtesy of the Kurzweil), "God ed over a two day period in mid-1993 theatre organ, it has 88 speakers in 28 Bless America." (although they were released in differ­ enclosures with 3,000 watts of power The recording by Jim Stemke of ent years.) Each is a 76-minute "con­ playing through 18 channels plus Digital Sonics presents the roomful of cert" in its own right and together reverb and delay units, all installed in organ and music makers in beautiful they are quite complimentary with his 28' x 40' basement recreation room. "you-are-there" detail. Purists might wonderful melodies both old, and to Not one to pass up the chance to wince here and there, but Jack's obvi­ some of us, new - but well worth have a good time and promote theatre ous love and enthusiasm for theatre hearing. organ, Jack's ''beast in the basement" organ shines out joyously in every The Entertaining Organist has for is has been attracting audiences by the selection. It's a most refreshing album opener Sydney Custard's "At the busload (40 are scheduled during in every way for, as the liner notes say Console" (a selection very reminiscent 1997!) for three hours of entertainment " ... That's the way it is when you of Hector Olivera's version of including organ solos, sing-along, and might be At Home with Jack Moelmann. "Bobsled") followed by a rather vigor­ silent comedy shorts concluding with Enjoy !" Cassette only at $12.00 post­ ous waltz, "Bal Masque," and a a flag-waving patriotic medley. In paid ($14.00 overseas) from jack charming trifle titled "Miss Melanie." response to demands for a momenta Moelmann, P.O. Box 25165, Scott AFB, Nigel's feel for jazz is revealed in out­ of these occasions, Jack has made this Illinois 62225. standing arrangements of "Sweet and one hour cassette. He writes us" ... the Lovely," Dave Brubeck's "It's a Raggy · purpose of the recording was ... to get ■ THEENTERTAINING Waltz" and "Body and Soul." theatre organ in(to) the hands of peo­ Other selections on this disc ple ..." ORGANIST include a 9-minute medley of seven It's a fun musical album from the ■ A WURLITZER Bing Crosby hits, the march "In the first dang-clang of the "Trolley Song." CELEBRATION- News," Nigel's own novelty Next is an eight minute medley of "Penguin's Playground," and a grace­ seven Stephen Foster favorites fol­ NIGELOGDEN ful arrangement of "Londonderry lowed by the tender ballad "Secret Air." Selections with a Latin flavor Love" combined with a soft beguine include the "Can-Can Polka," "El version of "I've Got You Under My Adorno," "Tango Havana," "Spanish Skin." Jack next has a robust pairing of Harlem," and a haunting "Latin Love "Granada" and "Lady of Spain." Potion." Completing the tune list for Hymn time follows with "Amazing this album are Leroy Anderson's "The Grace" (mercifully without the almost Waltzing Cat," "World Traveler mandatory bagpipes,) "How Great March," "Baby Ballerina," the "Waltz" Thou Art/' and "The Lord's Prayer." and "Mirror Dance" from Gounod's Closing side one is a quacking delight, Faust and a stirring "March of the Sesame Street's "Rubber Duckie," and Bowmen." the "Washington Post March" with A Wurlitzer Celebration starts with a glockenspiels and drums galore. encompass sparkling "Beyond the Blue Horizon" A high jumping "Satin Doll" opens being the followed by Nigel's refreshing side two. Jack's Old Time Medley is host of the arrangements of the all-time favorites almost 7-minutes of some wonderful weekly BBC "Pizzicato Polka," "How Are Things not-so-old delights: "Sentimental The Organ­ in Glocca Mora," Orth' s "In a Clock Journey," "Tea For Two," "Don't Fence ist Enter­ Shop," Friml' s "Love Everlasting" Me In," "I'm Forever Blowing tains pro­ (which you might know as "L'Amour, Bubbles," "Bye, Bye Blues," and an gram since 1980, an accomplished Toujours, L'Amour,") "Shadow upbeat "The World Is Waiting for the composer, and a performing artist Waltz," and "The Whistler and His Sunrise." Jack plays three military equally at home on either a classical or Dog." hymns next - "Eternal Father" (for theatre organ bench! The organ on Included, are three movements the Navy,) the "Air Force Hymn," and both albums is the 4/20 "Crawford from Nigel's charming and quite styl-

30 •JULY/ AUGUST1997 THEATREORGAN ish "Art-Deco Suite," along with rhythm patterns. ly cheery listening on all counts - Boccherini's "Minuet," "Celebration The 25 "cuts" contain the amazing and, sure, you can dance to it, too! March," "The Waterloo March," total of 49 tunes and once again, you'll Cassettes at $13.00 and CDs at $21.00 Satie's "Gymnopedie," and an Eric find some "That ain't the way I heard (plus $3.00 per order postage) from Coates Fantasy. New to most listeners it" items like '"Til the End of Time" Organ Literature Foundation, 45 will be "Duo" by Davies, the roman­ and "On Green Dolphin Street" in Norfolk Road, Braintree, MA 02184- tic-nostalgic "Dusk," "Tell Me I'm rumba tempo and "The More I See 5918. (continued) Forgiven," Chuckerbutty's trumpet­ You" and "Talk to the Animals" done filled "Paean," and a high spirited "At as cha-chas. the Sign of the Swinging Cymbal." Phil's selections include some won­ Hardly the usual "stateside tune derful memory floggers such as "No list," but Nigel's consummate musi­ Can Do," "Deed I Do," "Little Dutch COLORADO PIPE ORGAN SERVICE cianship and exquisite good taste in Mill," and "I'm Shy, Mary Ellen, I'm Expert Installation Uniflex 2000 registration and arranging earns both Shy." Played in Blues tempo are Computer Relay, the most versatile & albums a Highly Recommended rat­ "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby," "Buddy, reliable modern system. ing! Albums are sold separately at Can You Spare a Dime," "Puff the Organ Design & Installation $20.00 each postpaid - in currency or Magic Dragon," and "I'd Like to Teach Tonal Finishing Recipi ent I988 Technical Merit Award US checks - from L.T.O.T., 21 New the World to Sing." A bonus title is the Hall Road, Jericho, Bury, Lanes BL9 only known composition written by Computer Relay Installations: 7TQ, England. legendary Blackpool organist, Washington Center for Performing Arts Reginald Dixon, "Can't We Sing 3/25 Wurljtzer - Olympia , WA Elsinore Theatre for Performing Arts STRICTTEMPO Love's Old Sweet Song Again?" 3/26 Wurlitzer - Salem , OR A sampling of some of the other Denver Paramount Theatre DANCINGTIME - pieces includes Noel Coward's waltz 4/20 Wurlitzer - Denver , CO Colorado State University PHILKELSALL "Ziguener," Walter Donaldson's 3/19 Wurlitzer - Fort Collins , CO "Love Me or Leave Me," the Bossa Wilcox/John son Residence Nova "Guaglione," "Non Dimenticar" 4/48 Wurlitzer - Gig Harbor, WA Jerome Kern's Also Proud to be Servicing and/or rarely heard and "Midnight Tango." Finishing the Following Instruments quickstep Quoting from Ian Dalgliesh' s with Computer Relay: "Dancing review of Phil's first Blackpool Tower Century II Exhibition Hall - Wichita , KS 4/38 Wurlitzer (formerly NY Para mount) Time" opens recording (Console Magazine, Sept., New Mexico Military Institute Phil Kelsall' s 1978) "Those tibias, tierced and quint­ 3/20 Wurlitzer - Roswell, NM la test (1996) ed to the hilt - that bouncy pedal D. Williams Residence 3/13 Wurlitzer - Aurora , CO Blackpool department, those big chorus reeds, Capri Theatre dance album. Tuba Mirabilis and Harmonic Tuba, 4/25 Wurlitzer - Adelaide, Australia This 66-minute disc again features and the biting strings, the keen trum­ both familiar and unfamiliar titles pet and kinura, and with the along with a few items you won't find acoustics, it makes for a big sounding 8213 WILMINGTON DRIVE anywhere else; all played in groups of organ of 14 ranks!" COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO 80920 two or three selections in 13 different All true! It's wonderful, refreshing- 719/282-0914 ~*~*~*~~~~~*~*~* ~ ~ i..sJ,,, ❖ THEATRE PIPE ORGANS ❖ ~ ~ Parts ❖ Transportation ❖ Rebuilding ❖ Installations ~~ .;fie,~ Sales ❖ Service ❖ Trades ~ ~~ WE BUY PIPE ORGANS ~ ~ World's Largest Supplier of Theatre Organ Parts ❖ Professional Pipe Organ Moving -- Worldwide ~f)~ ~ BOB MAES ~ ~ p~ 'i p~ pl},C~~ ~ ~ 1117 WEST 8TH STREET * KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 64101 ~ ~ TELEPHONE 816/471-6316 * FAX 816/471-1106 ~ ~ When in Kansas City stop in and see our new 100,000 square foot warehouse and shop facilities. ~

*~*~*~*~~~~~*~~~ THEATREORGAN JULY/ AUGUST1997 • 31 ► FORTHERECORDSCONl while they have a few commercial releases, contain record­ ings of live concerts from most of the ATOS Conventions back to 1976! There are real treasures to be found here. BOOKREVIEW Copies of Audio Recordings are available for $35.00 post­ paid (add $5.00 for overseas shipping) from ATOS Archives, 152 York Road, Elmhurst, IL 60126-3417. (See the ATOSARCHIVES CATALOG VOLUME 2 Journal's mailing wrapper for ordering information on the - AudioRecordings other three Archive Catalogs via ATOS Special Services Department.) Joe Moffatt, Curator, ATOS Archives/Library AM£.IU~ TllEA TR.EO RCA.N SOCrET\ ' .·OlCHJVESILffiRAR\ CATALOG NEW RELEASE Early this year, the ATOS Archives released new editions of their four volume catalog of VOLUME 2 - AUDIO RECORDINGS ~lon i'>U®ay the wealth of theatre organ memorabilia to be found in our 27 favorite Christian hymns and songs Joseph J. Moffatt , Curator National Library. Of greatest played in Bob Salisbury's special style ATOS ARCHIVES /LIBRARY on the four-manual Page theatre organ 152 York Road interest to our readers will be the Elmhurst , IL60126-3417 in Avalon, Catalina Island, California . 630/782-1800 new 263 page list of theatre organ recordings. This is an increase of 68 pages (and 225 Still available: ..A Page from Avalon .. new LPs!) over the first edition issued in 1995. 8-1/2" x 11" and ..Christmas Island " played by in size, it is spiral-bound so it lays flat, and has an easy to Bob Salisbury at the Page organ; read typeface. ..On the Rocks ," piano solos by This volume is divided into seven sections with 195 Bob Salisbury; and pages of 33-1/3rd Long Playing records, 2 pages of 45 rpm ..A Page from the Pase with records, and 14 pages of 78s, as well as 29 pages of audio Gil Evans at the Page organ. cassettes, 2 pages of audio-only VHS tape recordings, 9 pages of CDs, and 6 pages listing the 52 ATOS 30-minute radio programs. Cassette copies of most of these recordings $20.00/or CDs or $10.00/orcassettes can be made for those who may wish to add out-of-print (tax and post.age fncluded) (Note:

32 •JULY/ AUGUST1997 THEATREORGAN ELECTRONICTHEATRE ORGAN OWNER/ENTHUSIASTS

The newer electronic organs such the MIDI interface . There are several as Rodgers and Allen come equipped theatre pipe organ installations where ETONESwith the MIDI. Older organs can have MIDI and appropriate sound modules by JackMoelmann it installed either by the owner or a have been added to provide such local technician. It is not difficult, but things as 16' and 32' pipe extensions is not cheap either, depending on the where physical limitations in the facil­ Therecontinues to bea lotof number of manuals which are con­ ity would not have permitted their discussionconcerning 'MIDI' nected. The quality of sound pro­ installation as real pipes. In many (MusicalInstrument Digital duced by the sound module is certain­ cases, additional pipe voices can be ly a function of the amplification and added through MIDI in a much more Interjace). This discussion is not speaker system used. While the rela­ cost effective manner than using the just confinedto theelectronic tively inexpensive keyboards do have real thing. However, now we have a organworld but is being built-in speakers, external speakers pipe organ with "electronics" which such as those of a stereo system pro­ might need a little attitude re-adjust­ implementedin pipe organs vide much better sound. ment. Depending on who I talk to as well. MIDI implementation in pipe concerning my organ at home, I either organs is becoming popular. If the have an electronic organ with pipes or MIDI, by itself, produces no sound. pipe organ has a computer relay sys­ a pipe organ with electronics. It is nothing more than an "interface" tem, installing MIDI is nothing more which sends and receives digital infor­ than an additional card and software The ETONE group is growing all mation signals to control an external in the processor in most cases. Other the time. If you want to belong, just sound producing device. When MIDI pipe organs can have MIDI just by drop a note to: is installed in an organ it results in an connecting the various input wires to "input" and "output" to which the MIDI interface to the key contacts JACK MOELMANN "Sound Modules" can be connected - similar to the procedure when P.O. Box 25165 which produce the sounds through an adding MIDI to an electronic organ. In Scott Air Force Base, IL 62225-0165 amplification and speaker system. The many cases, additional key contacts Fax 618/632-8456 most simplistic "sound module" are not required. However, additional or e-mail: [email protected] might be something like a Casio key­ key contacts are required if you want board found at music and discount to connect MIDI to an older Please include your name, address, stores. Not all of them have MIDI con­ Hammond organ. phone number and type of organ that nections, but several do. The MIDI The end result is a system which you have, if you have one. system in the organ does nothing provides additional sounds and/ or more than "key" the sounds of the voices, percussions, effects, you name You might enjoy being part of the module - the same as playing the it, depending on the module. There is group which exchanges a great deal of keys on the Casio keyboard in this no limit on what can be added from helpful information concerning elec­ example. the simple 3-wire cable to and from tronic organs.

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THEATREORGA N JULY/AUGUST 1997 • 33 r------, Journal of An1erican oRGtllll-121111GOrgan building POPULAR MUSIC Quarterly Publication of by the American Institute of ~I, ff CR018NN3 Organ builders This publication is devoted to the dissemination of knowledge regard­ ing the design, construction and main­ A BITOF THEATRE ORGAN HISTORY t en an c e of pipe organs in North Many ATOS members were born too late to remember how popular America. Although primarily a techni­ the theatre organ was during the 1920s and 30s. I have also discovered cal journal for the benefit of organ­ building professionals, it is also a that many of our older members had no interest in theatre organs at that valuable resource for architects and time. They became aware of them later by way of home electronic organs project consultants, church musicians, building committees, seminary and and ATOS. university libraries, and anyone For all of those, it may be a surprise to learn that live theatre organ involved with the design or renova­ music was one of the most popular forms of entertainment on the radio. tion of contemporary worship space. Almost every radio station had a microphone in a local theatre and fea­ Far from being the "lost art" that tured regular programs every day. the average person believes it to be organbuilding in the United States When the networks were formed, around 1927, the best organists could and Canada is maturing and thriving be heard every day all over the country. Most organ programs were for a in hundreds of small and large shops throughout the continent. At the same half an hour, but I remember Lew White had one-hour programs (on a time, serious challenges lie ahead for 3/11 Kimball in the White Institute of Organ) sometimes featuring focal or those promoting the pipe organ in an instrumental soloists. One New Year's day a football game was canceled era of limited budgets and competing options. Readers of the Journal of because of a snow storm and Fred Feibel played for over two hours on the Am erican Organbuilding will benefit CBS network. In 1928, when the 4/21 Wurlitzer was installed in a studio from the thoughtful exchange of infor­ mation and ideas intended to advance between the eighth and ninth floors of the New York Paramount Theatre, this time-honored craft. CBS leased it for all their network programs. Jesse Crawford's associates Youare invited to become a sub­ at the Paramount Theatre Studio , Fred Feibel and Ann Leaf, became the scriber. Persons who are engaged full­ principal staff organists for CBS and were featured on the radio several time in the organbuilding or organ times each day. Dick Leibert was heard every morning from the Radio maintenance professions are also encouraged to request information City studio, Lew White from the Roxy, and Jesse Crawford at nights on regarding membership in the NBC. The most popular organist from Chicago was Irma Glen, who could American Institute of Organbuilders. be heard almost every day on NBC. Around lunch time, Herbert Foote Please enter my subscription to the American Institute of Organbuilders ' quar­ played from the Edgewater Beach hotel. Eddie Dunstedter was heard on terly publication Journal of American CBS, and Fats Waller played a half hour at 7:15 Saturday evenings on the Organbuilding Enclosed is a check for: 4/21 studio Wurlitzer. C.A.J. Parmentier, Betty Gould and others also 0 $12.00 (1 year, 4 issues) broadcast on that organ. 0 $22.00 (2 years, 8 issues) One summer, CBS presented a program entitled "Three Consoles" fea­ 0 $32.00 (3 years, 12 issues) turing Ann Leaf from New York, Milton Charles from Chicago, and Eddie Name Dunstedter from St. Louis. Each played several solos and ended the pro­ Firm or Institution ______gram all playing together. This was on prime time Saturday nights and all of these organists received great quantities of fan mail. Mailing Address ______

Proof of the popularity of these and many local organ programs was City /State / Zip ______the fact that stories and pictures of theatre organists appeared often in Sunday papers with many organists as well known to the public as 0 Check here if mailing address is for HOME delivery. singers and actors. In addition, the weekly publication "Radio Guide" and Make checks payable to: the monthly "Radio Stars" always contained articles and pictures of American Institute of Organbuilders Mail this form and payment to: Theatre/Radio organists. I might also add that "The Diapason" and "The AMERICAN INSTITUTE American Organist" contained articles by and about theatre organists. OF ORGANBUILDERS L ______P.O. Box 130982 I Houston, Texas 77219 J

34 •JULY/ AUGUST 1997 THEATREORGAN THEATREORGAN IN JAPANby EijiKondo of Roland Corporation, and his staff, for placing much time and energy into preparing for this fair. Without their great RolandandRodgers efforts, this fair could never go as smoothly. 'OrganFair'97' in Japan

Organists standing on the fin.alstage. L to R: Mr. Ralf Shink, Mr. Rob Richards, Mr. Don Lewis, Mr. Ryoki Yamaguchi, Mrs. Megumi Ohsiro, Mr. Masato Akiyama and Mrs. Yuri Tachiban.a. photo by Mr. Eiji Kikuchi

Mr. Rob Richards lectured on the history of the theatre organ. Mr. NewAllen Theatre Ryoki Yamaguchi translatedhis English into Japanese. photo by Mr. Eiji Kikuchi. CametoOsaka inJapan! An Allen Theatre MDS-312 was installed in the new Roland and Rodgers organ corporations held an Organ shopping center, "Herbis-Osaka," in front of Osaka station. Fair '97 in Kobe and Tokyo on March 27-28 and April 2-3. The shopping center was built by Hanshin Railway During this fair, many Japanese organ fans had a precious Corporation and opened 19 March 1997. The huge building chance to see and touch the theatre organ models shown. includes the Ritz Carlton Hotel, and many famous stores There were only a few theatre organs in Japan and as such, and offices of the world. were new to many Japanese fans. Church, theatre and The Allen is installed on the second floor balcony in the home organs were demonstrated. Among these organs, the entrance hall "Organ's Open Space" in Herbis-Osaka. The Rodgers Theatre 360 Digital Organ attracted many eyes of new organ has 4 external speaker boxes under imitation Japanese fans. Fans liked this model very much and tried pipes. Performances on the Allen are at twelve o'clock, to play it one by one. The sound from Rodgers Theatre 360 three o'clock, and five o'clock, with short music by the dig­ was powerful and realistic, leaving a deep memory on the ital sequencer. A few female organists play the organ three fans' minds. times in a weekend day. The seminars on the fair were also interesting. Mr. In Japan, Mitsukoshi' s Wurlitzer in Tokyo, Kakehashi, chairman of Roland Corporation, presented a Matsuzakaya's Casavant in Nagoya, Navio-Hankyu's lecture on the history of the electronic organs in Japan. Rodgers in Osaka and the new Allen Theatre, are four Furthermore, Mr. Rob Richards, presented a lecture on the instruments installed in department or shopping stores. I history of the theatre organs and accompanied the tradi­ hope many Japanese people learn about the magnificent tional American silent movies with the Rodgers Theatre theatre organ as well as increase our organ fans. 360. The music he played made traditional American moods and melodies extremely agreeable to the movies. Mr. Ryoki Yamaguchi, a young Japanese organist, translat­ ed to Japanese fans how to play the theatre organs from Mr. Richards. Mr. Ralf Shink, a young German organist, played Roland Atelier AT-90. The sound and melody were delicate and enjoyed by many fans. American organist, Mr. Don Lewis, played and sang with the Atelier AT-90. Mrs. Yuri Tachibana, famed Japanese organist, played the Atelier AT-80. Her arrangements of music were excellent. Mrs. Megumi Ohshiro, a Japanese organist, played classic organ music on Rodgers N-835 in evening and morning concerts. Mr. Masato Akiyama, a Japanese famous organist and teacher, presented a lecture of fascinating organ music. This fair was extremely successful. Japanese fans could widen their horizons and learn a lot during this fair. Fans eagerly expect Roland and Rodgers corporations to show many new models of organs during the next fair. Fans also Allen MDS-312 and imitation.pip es installed on a balcony. expressed their sincere thanks to Mr. Kakehashi, chairman photo by Eiji Kondo

THEATREORGAN JULY/ AUGUST1997 • 35 ARemembrance ofFrank E."Bud" Taylor by John Catherwood ClosingChord I first met "Bud" in the fall of 1950. He had returned home for a visit and well­ earned vacation. Instead, he DAVIDWILLIAM SACRE ended up with a 12-week David Sacre passed away on April contract at the State Theatre 22 from complications following the . . . which lasted for nine collapse of his immune system. Although he may not have been per­ months. I had returned to sonally known to many people, his Kalamazoo College and a work was enjoyed by thousands. friend told me there was David tuned and maintained the great "some guy" playing the Ruffatti organ in San Francisco's State organ. Being an organ Davies symphony Hall and every time nut, I couldn't wait to beat a the instrument was used almost since path to the theatre. We met its installation David was responsible and became instant friends, for getting it into tip top shape for the but it took quite a while for performance. He was also a consultant me to muster the courage to nationally and internationally for the play in front of him. On the organ builder. On a more local level, surface, "Bud" could be until his illness, he was also organist for St. Peter's RC church in the San intimidating, but he was one Francisco Mission District. of the kindest people I've Born in Brisbane, Australia, he ever known. He was a tough immigrated to the U.S. in the early task-master, yet always con­ seventies. Among his family, he is sur­ "Bud" Taylor, State Theatre Barton, Kalamazoo, structive in his criticism. vived only by his cousin Barbara 1934. One afternoon at Bud's Hemming, however, his passing is home, I finally sat at his Hammond and began to play. I was having a mourned by a host of friends in the great time entertaining myself and, hopefully, the maestro, (when) I organ world, including his close heard this yelling from a back room, "My God, John, can't you count?" I friends John Seng, Tom Sheen, Ted was devastated. Allan Worth and Do11Thompson and When Bud came into the room, he turned his criticism into an object by his good friend Michael Gronski lesson. He said, "Don't just play ... listen to yourself ... learn to count, it's who cared for him in his final weeks. No funeral services will be held, so important." After all these years I still try very hard to remember that however a memorial service will be lesson. announced at a later date and will Bud's move to California in 1958 was a sad time for my wife and me. probably be held in Davies Symphony The casual visits at his home, fun-filled hours of music and laughs came Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may to an end. We stayed in regular touch by mail and phone, and cheered his be made to the David William Sacre many musical accomplishments on the west coast: The Hearth, in Memorial Organ Fund, instituted to Downey; The Hunter's Inn in Temple City; The Vagabond House and the help restore the recently burned organ Sky Trails in Los Angeles. In addition, Bud served many years as editor at St. Peters. Donations may be sent of Off The Keyboards, newsletter of Los Angeles Organists Broadcast c/ o Roy Powlan, Attorney, P.O. Box Club. 6312, Moraga, California 94570. We didn't see one another often in the last several years, but when we'd occasionally get together here in Michigan or in California, it was like old times; wonderful times filled with music, funny stories, enduring MARGARETTAPLER friendship and mutual admiration. Margaret carried the past five presi­ Bud's warm personality and great musical talent gained him a host of dents of our organization through friends from coast to coast. He will be long-remembered and greatly many situations as secretary. Her con­ missed by those whose lives he touched. stant concern for the organization was A group of friends gathered at the home of Bill Mollema to remember very evident by her being there to and reminisce. Some of us were brave enough to try to play some of serve in many capacities. Margaret Bud's famous arrangements on Bill's beautiful hybrid home installation. loved our Barton organ and our audi­ It simply can't be done! ences loved hearing Margaret play for

36 •JULY/ AUGUST1997 THEATREORGAN our bi-weekly movie series. Before FREDPAGE J. PAULCHAVANNE concerts she always worked with the technicians in tuning the organ. She J. Paul Chavanne has passed from set up our library, making it possible this life. The end came suddenly at his for artists to find concert material and home in Wakefield, Massachusetts, on our members to find information April 6, 1997, after a period of gradu­ about our heritage in the theatre organ ally failing health. Inevitably, we have world. She made sure that recordings also lost pianist Val du Val. They were, were available for those that needed of course, one and the same. Paul had, them. in his earlier years as a popular show biz and restaurant pianist, adopted Val as his personal alter ego. I first met Paul in 1967 when we were both new members of the Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of ATOS. I was drawn to his quiet, gentle nature and fascinated by his musical talents and experiences. By 1968 we were a team during the hectic week­ A dedication to the theatre organ end removal of our chapter's 3/13 world through many years of service from Boston's now-gone Loew' s State has ended, following a long illness. Theatre. Fred served on the Board of Directors The friendship has continued to the of the Detroit Theatre Organ Society, present, with Paul and myself serving the Motor City Theatre Organ Society together for some time on the editorial and was President of the Wolverine staff of the Eastern Massachusetts Theatre Organ Society for over twelve Chapter's Eastern Pipes. Paul's former years. He was honored with a training and skills as an English Lifetime Membership in ATOS and teacher made him a valuable member Our friend, Margaret Tapler their chapter by the Wolverine Theatre of the paper's staff, and his vast and Our school programs were success­ Organ Society. fascinating knowledge of the local ful because Margaret made certain the Fred always referred to the musical and theatrical scene provided children were furnished with popcorn Wolverine Chapter as a "Social" Club countless wonderful stories for the and pop to help make their field trip of ATOS. He arranged concerts and Pipes. Paul also served for a time as memorable. She worked out sched­ trips to many organ installations President of our chapter. ules for our young artists to be able to throughout the years, promoting the­ Paul was born about 80 years ago practice the organ so they could play atre organ. Serving on many commit­ in Boston. In 1941 he married in our competition programs. The con­ tees in these organizations, he helped Canadian-born Irene Rochette. The cession counter, her prime concern, is secure the future of the theatre organ devoted couple were blessed with successful because of her constantly world. We all remember his portrayal three daughters, a son, and now with improving service and products. Yes, as "Santa Claus" at the Christmas con­ eight grandchildren. Irene passed everything Margaret worked on, suc­ certs. away in 1993. She, too, had been a tal­ ceeded. Margaret was there, always He loved camping and his Trailer ented pianist, leaning more to the clas­ offering to help anyone needing help. Club, loved his Harmonica Club, and sical. She and Paul became regular Our right hand has left us, we all encouraged their members to join us, entertainers for various Senior's loved her and the void that is left by which they did on many occasions. groups, after Paul's retirement from God taking her to be with him hurts, We miss Fred, who was always work with the Massachusetts and shall hurt a long time. She is prob­ there to work with us. He has proba­ Department of Employment Security. ably in heaven working with God; bly formed a "Social" theatre organ With Irene's passing, Paul continued Margaret could never be idle and we chapter where he is and playing up a to entertain at the keyboards, often are sure she is playing music for all storm on his harmonica. teaming up with his eldest daughter the angels. Dorothy Van Steenkiste Dorothy Van Steenkiste Valerie. With no disrespect or slight intend­ ed, it might be said that Paul was the consummate "gin-mill" pianist - his repertoire was inexhaustible, and As we go to press, we have learned of the passing of Theatre Organ Editor always great listening. Paul was also Emeritus, W. Stu Green. More shall appear in the September/October 1997 quite adept at the organ, playing in a number of churches. He was also issue of Theatre Organ (continued next page)

THEATREORGAN JULY/AUGUST 1997 • 37 ► CLOSINGCHORD cont. Robert G. Walker, a member of virtually impossible to phone him ATOS and the New York Chapter for during daylight hours. More often often heard at the Mighty Wurlitzer, more than thirty years, and curator of than not, he got up every morning, where his fondness for, and vast the Long Island University /Brooklyn had his coffee and then boarded a bus knowledge of jazz and show music paramount 4/26 Wurlitzer, died on which took him to the subway and on provided a wealth of material. April 21 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in to Brooklyn. After all, there was usual­ In a 1977 Theatre Historical Society Elizabeth, New Jersey. Bob had been ly something that needed to be done Marquee story about the original hospitalized with congestive heart for the Wurlitzer! For all practical pur­ Loew's State home of EMC's problems several times in recent poses, those pipes were Bob's family. Wurlitzer, Paul concluded the piece months. He was 70. Bob was very conscious of the new with the line: "Good-bye, Loew's Born in up-state Auburn, New modernization techniques that were State! You may never have been a big York, Bob resided for many years in being used in many theatre organ money maker, but you had style'." New York City where he worked as a installations but felt that this particu­ The line so eloquently sums up the life graphic artist until retiring in 1989 and lar organ deserved to be preserved of my good friend and fellow theatre moving to Elizabeth, New Jersey. and maintained in its original form. organ lover, Paul Chavanne - "You Bob's association with the Long Island Anyone who has ever heard and felt had style." We know of no one today University Wurlitzer dates back to the results of this thinking, surely can who can begin to take his place . mid-1960s, when he joined the LIU not argue the results. It can certainly Stu Hinchliffe organ crew, shortly after the universi­ be said that if it were not for the ty bought the Brooklyn Paramount efforts of Bob and his crew, this instru­ Theatre and converted it into a gym­ ment would produce a mere shadow Farewellto nasium and athletic center. Bob was of the glorious sound it makes today. appointed crew chief in 1972. He Bob was my friend. He was the ROBERTG. WALKER devoted the last thirty years of his life friend of most artists who appeared at to the preservation and restoration of this instrument. His love and care for the big Wurlitzer. Bob was also a this organ was apparent to all who member of the Board of Directors of heard and played at LIU. I feel a deep the New York Theatre Organ Society. professional and personal loss in In 1987 the organ was severely Bob's passing. He was and will water damaged from a leaking roof always be a very, very special person drain. Since that time and particularly in the organ world and in my life. since his retirement, restoring the LIU Dan Bellomy Wurlitzer became Bob's full time vol­ unteer job. In recent years he virtually lived in the chambers and the work room at LIU. Bob was recently hon­ ored by LIU for his more than thirty years of dedicated volunteer service tot he University. Those who have had the pleasure and · thrill of playing the LIU organ or of hearing it in concert, DON,T MISS have enjoyed the fruits of Bob's many STAN years and countless hours of labor and love for this magnificent original KANN Mighty Wurlitzer. With his passing, & we have truly lost a very special per­ RALPH son and a very dear friend. He will be WOLF missed. Tom Stehle ORGAN & PIANO DUO Bob Walker pictured in 1989 in the Solo The best thing ta chamber of the LIU/Brooklyn Paramount One of the saddest tasks a writer happen ta thf! Wurlitzer. Here he is preparing to work with must periodically do is tell of the pass­ theatre organ smce his crew on reconstructing one of the 16' ing of a loved one or special friend. In the Mighty Wurlitzer! Bombarde pipes that had sustained water this case, Bob Walker was both a loved damage from a leaking roof drain. one, and a special friend. To me, Bob was an icon in the organ world. He literally lived and SELECT CATES AVAILABLE! breathed for the welfare of the 4/26 HENRY HUNT MANAGEMENT Wurlitzer at Long Island University in 1 270 Lincoln Avenue Brooklyn, New York. When I first met Pasadena, CA 91103 Bob, I learned very quickly that it was Ph. (818) 791-9193

38 •JULY/ AUGUST1 997 THEATREO RGAN .)IL\/ \1GI ST l!J!li

ATTENTIONCHAPTER CENTRALINDIANA CONNECTICUTVALLEY CORRESPONDENTS: Tim Needler:317/255-8056 JaneBates: 860/529-7141 Repeated requests have been made by Indianapolis, Indiana. Manual High Wethersfield, Connecticut. We held our many of our faithful chapter writers for "rules School with its 3/26 Wurlitzer was the popular annual birthday party celebra­ and regulations" regarding chapter notes for publication in THEATRE ORGAN. site of both our March and April chapter tion at Thomaston Opera House on l. Please limit chapter notes to two (2) pages, meetings. On March 9, we were treated to February 22. Following open console, double-spaced and typewritten. a wonderful afternoon of music by Rick brief business meeting, and dinner at the 2. Please limit chapter photographs to no Veague, one of our chapter members. Thomaston Senior Center, we returned to more than two (2) photos per chapter notes John Ferguson provided the entertain­ the Opera House in the early evening for entry per magazine. Please do not submit pho­ ment for our April 13 meeting. As always, a concert by John Cook from Eastern tos of animals, items/subjects not pertinent to the theatre organ, or long-distance or out-of­ his performance was filled with a diverse Massachusetts Chapter. focus photos. If a photo is over/ under exposed selection of songs, each one interpreted Tom Hazleton was featured for our it likely will not be published. with inventive harmonies and deep sensi­ March 16 concert at Thomaston. His pro­ 3. Do not list food or refreshment items. The tivity. We are quite fortunate to have so gram included traditional St. Patrick's mere mention of refreshments having been many excellent musicians among our Day melodies, many familiar tunes and a served is more than enough. In reality, for members. few that were new to use. It was a Journal chapter notes, food and refreshments need not be mentioned. This is a good realm One of the Central Indiana Chapter's delightful afternoon, attendance was for the chapter newsletter. programs that brings theatre organ music good and everyone left wearing a big 4. Similarly, please list no more than two (2) to the general public is the playing of our smile. Thanks, Tom, for a great concert! song titles per artist. As many artists prepare a 2/11 Page-Wurlitzer located in the Jane Bates program which they take from venue to venue, Hedback Community Theatre before it is unfair to the artist to list song titles which might then appear in many varied chapter musical productions by Footlite Musicals. CUMBERLANDVALLEY notes. Further, if it is desired to have two (2) For many years, thirty minutes of organ RobertEyer, Jr.: 717/264-7886 song titles listed, please place the title in music has been provided by our members Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The "Quotations." Films and similar names should as well as several non-member organists Capitol Theatre in Chambersburg, home be underlined as this will inticate italics. before each performance. This has been a of the chapter's Moller theatre pipe very successful project allowing the organ, was the talk of the town in early organists to utilize their talents and April. A gala celebration of the theatre's exposing new audiences to the wonderful opening 70 years ago drew a full house, CEDARRAPIDS sound of the theatre organ. Ruth Ward lining the sidewalks with spectators WilliamPeck: 319/393-4645 has organized the program for many watching performers in tuxedoes and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Our chapter had its years and has done a wonderful job. evening gowns arriving in antique cars April membership meeting at the former The 1997 ATOS National Convention and stepping onto a red carpet leading to Iowa Theatre in downtown Cedar is keeping us all busy as well. Organs are the theatre entrance. Extensive media Rapids, home of the "Rhinestone" Barton being installed and readied for the con­ coverage added to the excitement. theatre organ. Approximately 40 mem­ vention, registrations are corning in, and The Moller was prominently featured bers and guests attended with a dozen or preparations are being made to ensure in the celebration, with Bob Eyer, Jr. at the so playing during the open console. The each person attending the convention has console. Bob performed for 30 minutes at Barton will be featured during our a wonderful time. Mike Rolfe the beginning of the show, then later in Regional next year along with the Paramount Wurlitzer and the Coe College Skinner organs. On March 19 Hector Olivera was the artist at the Paramount Theatre. His con­ cert was sponsored by the Cedar Rapids Community Concert Association as one of the five programs selected for that organization's 1996-97 series. Hector, in addition to the Wurlitzer, made use of an electronic organ (a Roland Music Atelier, AT-90) on center stage which he used during a portion of his program. It was a great evening enjoyed by a near-capacity audience of approximately 1,800 in a the­ atre which seats 1,913. We are an active group and thank our lucky stars in having two theatre organs (both 1928 original installations) at our disposal - to which hardly any other chapters (or cities) can lay claim. We do feel most fortunate and know the atten­ dees at our 1998 regional will agree. John Cook entertained at CVTOS birthday Tom Hazleton at the Thomaston Marr & GeorgeK. Baldwin party. Ari Bales pliolo Colton. Art Bates pliolo

THEATREORGAN JULY/AUGUST 1997 • 39 CUMBERLAND VALLEY cont. that. After the intermission he accompa­ the program accompanied a Laurel and nied the silent movie Safety Last starring Hardy silent film. Harold Lloyd. The theatre has thrived under the new · Our Board of Directors decided to ownership of Downtown Chambersburg, dedicate the concert to the memory of Inc., a group of area businesses. Also, the Phil Marten, an active member of DTOS, Alliance for the Capitol Theatre, a group who died just one month earlier, at the of over 100 dedicated volunteers, has age of 81. Phil will be deeply missed by been active in many areas of the theatre's his family and his friends at DTOS. operation, including fundraising, build­ One of our members, Dave ing improvements, program develop­ Wickerham, has just released his first ment, and finances. Some of the larger compact disc recording. Dave made the projects completed so far include a new recording on the Barton Grande theatre roof; wheelchair-accessible bathrooms on organ at the Rialto Square Theatre in the first floor; newly renovated seats, and Joliet, Illinois. The CD called "Steppin' increasing the capacity by about 200 to Out To The Rialto" is 75-minutes long and contains 14 familiar numbers. CDs Retiring Treasurer,David Marden, receiving 854; and new neon and paint for the mar­ engravedplaque from President Donald quee. The owners' long-term goal is for are available from WS Productions, P.O. Phipps. Carolyn G. Wil cox photo the theatre to become a regional cultural Box 100587, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53210, arts center. Toward that end, a managing for $20.00 post paid and cassettes are the film with some of the long history of director has been hired, and two build­ $16.00. this gallant ship. Mr. Fowler is Professor ings immediately south of the theatre of History and Chairman of the have been purchased to allow for future EASTERNMASSACHUSETTS Department at Northeastern University expansion. DonaldPhipps: 508/990-1214 and author of several books on maritime The new owners are enthusiastic about New Bedford, Massachusetts. Knight and naval history as well as serving on the chapter and the Moller's role in the Auditorium, Babson College, on March 9 the boards of the U.S.S. Constitution success of the theatre. Their support has had the Sons of The Desert local chapter Museum and other historical societies. ushered in a new era for the theatre organ named "The Boston Brats," as guests of Not only did this ship glorify the early in south-central Pennsylvania. EMCATOS. The Grand Sheik of their tent, American Navy, but the filming was one Bob Maney Scott MacGillivray, and several members of the best sea adventures ever. The char­ had two Laurel & Hardy silents screened acters were superb for their parts and DAIRYLAND for us after briefly explaining that the included Esther Ralston, Wallace Berry, CoreyE. Olsen:414/646-8647 Brats were one of 151 chapters of the George Bancroft and Charles Farrell. Racine/Milwaukee, Wisconsin. March International Laurel & Hardy Society Chad finished with two selections, 16, Bob Leutner entertained his 3-manual established in 1967. "Tap Dance Kid" with many tempo Rodgers Olympic organ. Three chapter members accompanied changes and a wonderful interpretation Our annual spring concert was held on Big Business, You're Darn Tootin' and Cops, of "I'll Never Smile Again." Prior to the Sunday, April 27, at the Avalon Theatre in the later with Buster Keaton. Those film, our conscientious retiring Treasurer, Milwaukee, with guest artist, David "doing the honors" at the console were David Marden, was presented with a fine Peckham. In the first half of his program, Robe r t Legon, John Cook and Chad plaque suitably mounted on a wooden he played a variety of movie theme Weirick respectively. base for his meritorious service to the favorites, pleasing youngsters in the audi­ Our spring public presentation on chapter for fifteen years by President ence with music from Mary Poppins and March 22 was a wonderful silent drama, Donald Phipps. The Wizard of Oz. David's formal musical Old Ironsides, in honor of the 200th April 20 at Babson, we had member, training has been in the classical realm, anniversary of the U.S.S. Constitution. Robert Heterich as our artist. This was and his performance of Lubeck's This drama was masterfully accompanied Bob's first appearance at our console and "Prelude and Fugue in F Major" proved by Chad Weirick. Bill Fowler preceded he announced his program as a happen- AMERICAN COMPUTER oRGtlJ11-121n1GPIPEORGAN SERVICE ENGRAVING POPULAR MUSIC ■ 1 -4 Day service by RESTORATIONS ■ Your tab blanks or ours lU, tteRMBNN3 ■ Original Wurlitzer A Complete Course in Whatever your need -­ Matching Engraving KEYBOARD HARMONY ADDITIONS, RESTORATION, $2.65 per tab and RELOCATIONS ■ Also Barton, Robert ARRANGING POPULAR MUSIC Morton, Kilgen and Quality craftsmanship Moller engraving for Organ. with a satisfying result -­ anywhere on schedule Send $7.50 (U.S.A.) for our AVAILABLE AT MUSIC STORES 85+ page organ ports catalog OR DIRECTLY FROM ROBERT FRAY ALHERMANNS 816/221-5988 Arndt Organ Supply Co. 101 8 Lorenz Or. • Box 129 1117 W. 8th Street 1398 Temple Street Ankeny, IA 50021-0129 Kansas City, Missouri 64101 Phone/fax:(515} 964-1274 Clearwater, Florida 34616 ---- Quality Since 1966 ----

40 • JULY/ AUGUST1997 THEATREORGAN ing, not planned, programmed, performance or concert. He dis­ played a nice, easy style and his song beginnings and endings were unique. New talent is most welcome, for everyone has his or her approach as to how music is to be played. Bob will be yet anoth­ er of our musicians to interpret for us. Welcome, Bob! Stanley C. Garniss GARDENSTATE Dr.Catherine Martin: 201/256-5480

John Ferguson (left) and Jelani Eddington at Shean's 3/19 Wurlitzer. R. Miloche photo Leaving Trenton, we all gathered at the home of Jim and Dot Shean. The Shean' s special attraction is their great 3 / 19 Wurlitzer. John Ferguson from Indiana polis and J elani Eddington from Yale Law School in Connecticut joined the fun. Our many thanks are given to Jim and Dot. Garden State has acquired a 3 manual, 4 rank Kilgen, opus #3677, originally installed in the Tivoli Theatre in Hastings, Nebraska. It is being placed in the Mayfair Theatre in West New Everett and Cathy Oliver at their 3/11 Wurlitzer. J. vm,ore photo York. New Jersey. Crew chief, Bob Miloche, is enthusiastically preparing the pipe chamber. It is the first organ to be owned by Trenton, New Jersey. In the past, Garden State has successfully our chapter. sponsored a series of five theatre organ concerts each year. They On Sunday, April 13, some fifty members arrived at the were held in the Trenton War Memorial Auditorium. The first home of Everett and Cathy Oliver. Members stared in wonder at concert in February 1976 was a thrilling, wonderful dedication the 3/11 Wurlitzer, Style 235, as we have but a 2/8 and a 2/7 concert with Ashley Miller at the console playing to a packed Wurlitzer in New Jersey theatres. 2,000 seat auditorium. President Cathy Martin held a brief, detailed meeting. This series continued for 18 years, but came to a sudden end Our host Ev Oliver began open console playing several enjoy­ in March 1994 when the War Memorial was closed for removal able pieces. He ended his short program with an organ and of asbestos and a complete restoration of the building. Two piano duet with Jinny Vanore at the piano. Open console contin­ years passed slowly with little hope for a completed auditori­ ued throughout the afternoon. um. We were recently informed that the proposed date for an Special thanks go to Everett and Cathy Oliver who opening is set for late summer of 1998. What a happy day that generously opened their home and made the day a special, will be! memorable event. Jinny Vanore

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1i.=~ ~ (201) 670-6660 @]r• @] THEATREORGAN JULY/ AUGUST1997 • 41 HUDSON-MOHAWK FrankHackert: 518/355-4523 Schenectady, New York. Our Marc.h and April general meet­ ings ran the gamut from the culturally historical to the ultra technical. On March 24, the meeting, held at Proctor's Theatre, Schenectady, New York, spotlighted local theatre organ legend Warren Ford. The late Mr. Ford holds the distinction of being the chapter's first honorary member. A Schenectady native and General Electric engineer, Mr. Ford became the vortex of theatre organ enthusiasts by being the first in the area to install a theatre organ in his residence garage behind his home. The meeting's presentation consisted of vintage recordings and photos of Mr. Ford and his instrument played by area organists. His daughter, Marion Ford Jones, a chapter member, was on hand to answer questions and provide a personal perspective on this unique, great personality. The April general meeting was also held at Dennis Jamesat the Monterey State Theatre2/13 Wurlitzer. Proctor's Theatre. Member Carl Hackert continued his widely applauded presentation from last season with "More Theatre GOLDENSTATE Organ Registration Tricks" on Goldie, the theatre's Mighty BertRobinson: 408/424-6251 Wurlitzer. Salinas/Monterey, California. Golden State Theatre Organ Society again presented a successful silent film event at the Monterey State Theatre. As usual, Dennis James graced the con­ sole to accompany Buster Keaton in Steamboat Bill, Jr. The audi­ ence in Monterey never ceases to amaze us with their enthusi­ asm and their very vocal ability to handle sing-alongs. The summer months shall be used to have the Wurlitzer's manuals rebushed and the finishing of the various sound effects, stupids and cupids. In many instruments, these things are the first to play. In Monterey, the organ itself was of much more importance. The joint Golden State/NorCal organ project at the Salinas Fox- California Theatre is moving along. The relays are in place and now 95% of the organ's complete rehabilitation has taken place. It has been over 40 years since the instrument's raucous voice sounded forth in San Francisco's El Capitan Theatre. We are all a bit more than curious what shall emerge from this instrument when finally given the opportunity. We are looking forward to presenting Jonas Nord wall at the Monterey State Wurlitzer on September 8, just prior to the annu­ al Home Organ Festival at Asilomar. For more information, Marion Ford Jones (center)spoke about her father, WarrenFord, at the please call the telephone number shown above. T. Louis March meeting.

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42 •JULY/ AUGUST1997 THEATREORGAN On April 13, chapter members jour­ money, so they can move forward with neyed to the Utica-Rome area of New plans to expand the existing Minneapolis York state to hear two marvelous concerts Convention Center - regarded by local by British organist Paul Roberts, at 3 p.rn. organ enthusiasts as the entry point for at the Proctors High School 3/13 resuming restoration of the Mighty Wurlitzer, and later that evening he per­ Kimball. It has been in dead storage, at he formed on the Moller organ at the Capital Convention Center, for almost ten years Theatre in Rome. now. Faint hopes for the proposal are The free noon-time concert series pre­ now in the hands of Governor Arne sented by the Hudson-Mohawk Chapter Carlson, who line-item vetoed expansion and Proctor's Theatre continued with money approved by the Legislature last David Lester on March 25 and Dr. year. Edward Farmer on April 22. Norene Grose "The governor can find some money if he wants to," remarked Representative Richard Jefferson of Minneapolis. "The project is the number one priority for the city." (Jefferson's remarks were directed to the overall Convention Center expan­ sion, possibly but not necessarily includ­ ing the Mighty Kimball.) Later, the Governor stated that he will give it full Rob Richards at LATOS spring meeting at consideration as a bonding request in the Wilshire Ebell. 1998! John Webster Cathedral. The organ was rescued from LOSANGELES the Beverly Hills Christian Science StephenRoss: 818/507-0775 Church which was damaged beyond Los Angeles, California. The LATOS repair in the Northridge earthquake. This annual spring general membership meet­ was one of the last A/S organs built ing was held Sunday, April 13, at the under G. Donald Harrison's supervision. Wilshire · Ebel Theatre. Rob Richards For those that attended the 1987 ATOS entertained the small but enthusiastic convention, the Arboretum is the room gathering of friends and members at the where we had lunch the day we heard chapter-owned 3/13 Barton. Rob had just Frederick Swann at the 5/233 Crystal LANDO'LAKES returned from Japan a few days before, Cathedral organ. Roger R. Dalziel: 715/262-5986 spending two weeks touring the major Many LATOS members were in atten­ Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. cities of Japan for the Roland Company dance at the Jerry Nagano concert pre­ Restoration of the 10,000-pipe Mighty demonstrating the Rodgers 360. Among sented by the Orange County Theatre Kimball organ, formerly installed in the the many that took the opportunity to Society in Plummer Auditorium on old Minn ea polis A uditoriurn, received play during open console was none other Sunday, April 27. Jerry was a regular per­ another setback recently. The city's $37.5 than Torn Sheen. former at the Joe Koons Motorcycle Shop million request for expansion funds was­ Several LATOS members made a trip in Long Beach before he moved north. He n't included in the omnibus finance bills to Garden Grove to hear Chris Elliott is currently featured artist at Ye Olde approved by both the House and Senate accompany Lon Chaney in The Phantom of Pizza Joynt in San Lorenzo, California, economic development committees of the The Opera. Chris did a superb job as and recently joined the staff of the State Legislature. City officials have been always on the newly installed Aeolian­ Stanford Theatre in Palo Alto. asking the Legislature to show them the Skinner in the Arboretum at the Crystal Wayne Flottman r- - --;;o;A-;;:;;/;F;;;r;-- - , TO) ARRY PIPINGHOT RECORDING CO. ill)AKER "ANYTHING GOES" Charlie STAN KANN & RALPH WOLF Concerts * Debutalbum Organ & Piano availableon CD & Cassette- Music of Cole Porter on the Wehmeier4/33 Wurlitzer: Balogh Recorded at the FORTHE VERY FIRST TIME San Gabriel Civic Auditorium ''... a 'MustHave ' recommendationr "LEW WILLIAMS LIVE at -- TheatreOrgan Journal CONCERTS Totalof 15selection -including: the PASADENA CIVIC" HowAbout You?•The Ve!JI Thought of You Recorded Live at the •AnythingGoes Medley• It Ain'tNecessaf!ly So 2533 1987 Convention in Los Angeles •NatureBoy• LongAgo & FarAway E.Dragoon Avenue "WURLITZER MAGIC" andmany morel CD- $20ppd. / Cassette- $14 ppd.(in USA) ■ ROBERT WOLFE plays 30 Popular All ordersoutside of USA- add$3 per item. Mesa Favourites Recorded in England Sendcheck or moneyorder to: Arizona All Recordings are on CD BLBPRODUCTIONS 85204 $20.00 Postpaid 17 W. KimberlyDrive (Add $3 per unit for over ea hipment ) Ft.Thomas, KY 41075-1228 ■ PIPINGHOT RECORDING COMPANY ForBarl)I Baker concert bookings, please write 4608 N. Delta Avenue to theaddress provided above . 602/962- 7059 L !~~::':_~l~o~~ ~ 7_20~~~ .J THEATREORGAN JULY/ AUGUST1997 • 43 Zeeland Organ Society made us very wel­ rebuilding of our Wurlitzer. When com­ come. plete, it will be a 3/23. The chambers are Saturday morning found us in the ready for the installation of the swell Tuschinski Theatre, only a short distance shades and the blower platform is pre­ from our hotel in Amsterdam. entertained pared. By the middle of May, parts of the by Len Rawle. The organ was built in organ will be moved from the warehouse North Tonawanda and shipped from to the chambers. Winding and electrical America to the theatre in 1923 . On controls will then follow. Late 1998 is our Sunday we visited Voorburg to hear Len goal for tuning and voicing. Every Rawle playing the Standaart organ situat­ Thursday and Saturday, a group workers ed in a government building. A few of us meet at the warehouse to perform all the took advantage of the open console held many tasks involved in releathering after Len's concert. chests, off-sets, trems and so on. All the It was very enjoyable getting to know chests have been completed to better than fellow ATOS members and also the Dutch new condition. Carl Walker people. During April Arnold Loxam was our MOTORCITY Tom Sheen gets a little help from Rob guest organist at the console of the DavidAmbory: 810/792-5899 Richards. Woking Wurlitzer. Arnold played two of Detroit, Michigan. Our annual Young his own compositions "Thame Waltz" Theatre Organist Competition was held and "Audrey's Lullaby." on Sunday, March 2, at the Redford LONDON& Ar thur Lord played the Woking Theatre and featured six entrants compet­ SOUTHOF ENGLAND Wurlitzer for our May concert. Arthur's ing in two categories. Kristie Mumbrue GwenLight: 0-1932-565819 programme included a selection of placed first in our Pre-Teen Division In March Joyce Aldred entertained us George Gershwin melodies and music while Heather Novak took second, and on the State Kilburn Wurlitzer with a var­ from the show Merry Widow. Gwen Light Kevan Remick placed third. Ron Reseigh ied selection of music. took first place in our Hobbyist Division The highlight of the year so far has MANASOTA and Chris Kreipke placed second in that been our visit to Holland. It was a great CharlesPierson: 941/924-0674 division. There were no entrants in the success thanks to Judith Rawle and Don Sarasota, Florida. In April, a varied pro­ Junior, Intermediate or Senior Divisions, Wharram's hard work. We spent a very gram was presented by Bob Baker and so none qualify for the National ATOS pleasant first evening on a canal boat Dave Braun, playing on Dr. Ketch Competition. looking at the Amsterdam illuminations. Morrell's new Allen MDS-317 EX theatre Competition judges this year were Gil Our first full day began with a morn­ organ. Francis, Susan Lewandowski, and Steve ing's visit to the Netherlands National Bob Baker played for the graduation Schlesing. All participants received a Museum in Utrecht. Dr. Jan Jaap Haspels, ceremony of the University of South plaque and each first place winner the Director of the museum gave us a Florida at Sarasota. The organ is the 1926 received $25. Brian Carmody was chair­ guided tour. On the outskirts of Aeolian 3/36, restored by the Manasota man of the competition and we thank Rotterdam, we visited a little village Chapter. The organ is in the music room Dorothy Van Steenkiste for scheduling called Pernis, where we were entertained of the bayside mansion of the late Charles practice time and taking care of a multi­ by Richard Cole, Curator of the Brantford Ringling. Our June meeting will be at the tude of details. Museum in England. The Compton organ mansion, where all who desire, will be A lively crowd was on hand to hear was originally installed in the Astoria, able to play the Aeolian . John Lauter accompany two silent films Folkstone. The day closed with a visit to Thanks to the leadership of President on Saturday, April 12, at the Redford Middleburg where we listened to Len Chuck Pierson and Norman Arnold, Theatre. Following some up tempo selec­ Rawle playing the Ex-Granada, work is progressing at a rapid pace on the tions in his smooth, listenable style, John Rochester, Compton. The members of the ■ r-n"::--=-=--=-:~~------=;;;.iiijiiilll ■ Ron the premier Rl)obE recordmg of the talented Je\an1 edd1ngton p\a9ed on the COl)CERCS M19ht9 3/9.6 Wurlitzer of emmench Manual High Schoo\ ,n lnd1anapo\1s,, Ron Rhode Indiana_ 16421 S. 1st Ave. Selections include. Fine and Dandy, Medley from "Girl Crazy," Phoenix, AZ 85045-0713 ,. You Make Me Feel So Young, " .. . first class highly recommended . ." (602) 460-ROXY I/ # Yesterdays,El Relicario,Secret Theatre Organ Journal CD - $ 1 8 postpaid • Cassette - $ 12 postpaid 1 ~ ...... -- Love and many, many more! Send check or money order to: CD $18, Cassette $12, Veteran Hill Productions Add $2 shipping and handling to: 838 Veteran Hill Road CIC-ATOS, 5440 N. Meridian St. Horseheads . NY 14845 Sorry. no credit cards or COD. All Foreign orders add Indianapolis, IN 46208 $3 per item. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. • ------■ 44 •JULY/ AUGUST 1997 THEATREORGAN EmceeDon Lockwood,organist John Lauter, film sound re-recordingmixing engineer ' JerrellFrederick and Mike Allore, directorof the silent film The Hunter, at the Redford Theatre. Bo Ha11/ey p/ioto Motor City'~ Youn~ Organist_C?mpetition wi~ne~s: Chris Kreipke,Ron Reseigh,Heather Novak~Kevzn !emzck and KrzstzeMumbrue wzth ;udges Susan Lewandowski,Steve Schlessing accompanied the premiere of a brand and Gil Franczs. Rny Van Steenkiste p/ioto new silent film, The Hunter, directed and produced by Grand Valley State the Redford Theatre on Saturday, Dave Kopp, recently completed the University graduate Mike Allore as a trib­ September 6, and Father Jim Miller will installation of an 11th rank, a small scale ute to the great silent film artists of the be featured at the Redford's 3/10 Barton post horn, with "Little Mother" Wurlitzer past. Although John's original organ on Saturday, October 4. Lyn Larsen and in top form. score to the black and white comedy had soprano Laurie Meeker will perform at March 22, found New York Chapter been professionally mixed on the sound our Christmas program at the Redford on members boarding a bus in Manhattan track with appropriate sound effects by Saturday, December 13. and New Jersey for a trip to the Allen film sound re-recording mixing engineer For more information write: Motor Organ Company in Macungie, Jerrell Frederick, the sound track was not City Theatre Organ Society, 17360 Lahser Pennsylvania, followed by a visit to the used for this premiere and John played Road, Detroit, Michigan 48219, or phone home of members Jim and Dot Shean and his score live. 313/537-2560. Don Lockwood their 3/18 Wurlitzer. Our first stop was The enthusiasm continued into the the Allen Organ factory building where second part of the program with John NEWYORK we were greeted by Dwight Beacham, providing an original score for Buster JohnVanderlee : 914/266-8177 Clark Ferguson, Ken Fowler and Jim Keaton's The Cameraman, made in 1928, New York, New York. On March 9, Barry Feller who led our group on tours the same year in which the Redford Baker performed in concert for the New through the vast plant. Next, a short dis­ opened for business. The audience York Chapter on the Ben Hall Memorial tance from the factory, we visited the response during the showings of these Wurlitzer at the Lafayette Theatre in Allen Sales Center, which houses Allen's two silent films was unbelievably enthu­ Suffern, New York. Barry exploited every Octave Hall, a large recital hall in which siastic. Director Mike Allore perhaps voice of the Ben Hall organ, proving to us several classical, theatre and custom summed it up best when he said, "I did­ that he is an artist of incredible imagina­ organs are set up. Dwight Beacham gave n't realize until now the impact an audi­ tion, impeccable taste and colossal tech­ a superb mini-concert, demonstrating the ence has on (the viewing of) a silent film." nique. The dedicated crew of Martin large 3-manual theatre organ. As in the Ken Double will appear in concert at Boehling, Bruce Courter, Rusty King, Bob past, the Shean' s greeted our bus load of Raymond, Jr., Tom Stehle, and crew chief NYTOS nomads with a warm welcome.

A Kaleidoscope of MUSIC, COMEDY & FILM

STAN KANN

Resident Organist Fox Theatre - Seventy-threeminutes in all including••• St. Louis for 22 Years Lover• Tributeto JeromeKem • OpusOne • Night& Day• Skylark•Fiddle-Faddle • Music of the Night•Clarinet Polka • KnightsbridgeMarch • One MorningIn May• and manymore! Henry Hunt Management ARTRA Don't missthis premier recordin!J of the excitin!J31!17 Kimball-Wurlitzer! ARTISTS MANAGEMENT Pleaseadd $2 per item for shippingand handling. 1270 Lincoln Avenue All foreign orders add $3 per item. No credit cardsor COD. 555 W. Madison St. • Suite 2110 Sendcheck or money order to: Pasadena, California 91103 Chicago, IL 60661 Organ PiperMusic Palace CD 4353 s.108th St. Cassette a1 an91.9193 312•648•4 100 $18 Greenfield,WI 53228 $12

THEATREORGAN JULY/AUGUST 1997 • 45 NEW YORK cont. NOR-CAL William0. Schlotter:510/482-3183 San Francisco, California. The chapter's third annual Stage Door Musical took place at Berkeley Community Theatre on January 19. The stage shop was open so members could see the third (and last) section of new swell shades before they are disassembled and hoisted 51 feet to their permanent location in the center chamber. Also on display was one of the comb ination action chests being rebuilt by the organ crew, part of the new con­ sole that will complement the present one (all the chests have now been rebuilt, and are awaiting installation). Bill Schlotter brought a large number of slides which he showed and narrated in several install­ English organist Paul Roberts at the New ments. They showed views and details of York Military Academy 4/33 Moller in the San Francisco Fox Theatre and the Cornnwall, New York, where he played an Fox Oakland Theatre. David Peckham played the third pub­ Jonas Nordwall at the BerkeleyCommunity April 5 concertfor the New York Chapter. Theatre Wurlitzer. Tom Stehle photo lic concert of the 1996-97 season on February 16 at B.C.T. There was wonder­ Jonas Nordwall played the final con­ ful Gershwin material, Broadway and cert of the 1996-97 season at B.C.T. on film favorites. He also played some April 20, and Donna Parker flew in to unusual numbers, saying he was going to introduce him. He gave us a very ambi­ stretch our musical horizons. The very tious and exciting program of music in orchestral last number held the audi­ various tempos and rhythms, composed ence's rapt attention, and earned David a early and late this century. He paid trib­ much deserved standing ovation. ute to Don Simmons, for years organist at The March 23 chapter concert at the Portland's Oaks Park roller rink on an Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland celebrat­ unenclosed theatre organ. He then ed the life of the late Wes Cavett, a long played a piece in the Simmons style. term NorCal member. Wes talked Kevin Jonas showed us some very beautiful and King into going in with him to buy the unusual registration, and a lot of incredi­ organ several years ago from the estate of bly smooth fingering in runs up and Ernie Wilson, who installed the instru­ down the manuals. ment in the theatre. The organ is now all Torn Hazleton will open our 1997-1998 Wurlitzer and a 3/15, 9 ranks of which public concert season on N overnber 2 are new to the instrument. It sounds with a program of ragtime favorites. Stan "Here's how you play that chord,Mel!" great, and the plan is to finish the organ Kann will play on February 15, 1998, and GabrielRoth, Candi Carley-Roth'sson, at 18 ranks, with most of them playing in Dennis James will accompany a silent shares the bench at the Shean Wurlitzer with time for the 1998 convention. Kevin is film on April 26, 1998. Jonas Nordwall Mel Robinson during the New York doing nearly all the work on the organ by will play the final concert of the series in himself. Chapter'sMarch organ crawl. Tom Stehle photo July 1998 on a date yet to be set. All con­ certs will be at Berkeley Community Their beautiful new 3-rnanual white Theatre. The first three will be on Sunday and gold Wurlitzer console (formerly afternoons at 2:30 p.rn. installed in the California Theatre in San Evelyn Woodworth Diego) is an impressive sight as you enter the front door. Members took turns at NORTHTEXAS open console, crawled through the pipe IrvingLight: 214/931-0305 chamber in the attic, and just enjoyed the Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas. We continue to music and camaraderie. respond to requests to provide organ On Saturday, April 5, British organist music for special meetings being held in Paul Roberts entertained us with an out­ the Lakewood Theatre, home of our standing concert on the 4/33 Moller at Robert-Morton organ. In the last two New York Military Academy in months we have been able to showcase Cornwall-On-Hudson, New York. An our organ in this manner on three occa­ excellent musician and a highly energized sions, including providing organ prelude entertainer, Paul's up-tempo style of play­ and choir accompaniment for an Easter ing and light hearted comments won the Sefections inc&u!e: service held in the theatre. The theatre Medley rrom "Top Hat" • That's Entertainment operator is increasingly impressed with audience over immediately. Thanks to • Somcthing's Gotta Give • La Danza • Bob Welch and Torn Stehle, the big Moller Hungarian Rhapsody #2 in C# Minor• the requests for the organ. He is more was in fine tune. Tom Stehle Th e carncss or You ... plus many, many more! openly receptive to our presence in the Over 75 mimites of music! theatre and the unique value of the organ Onferi119 infomuttion : in this environment. North Texas chapter Compact Di,c 18.00(U.S.) . Cassette 12.00(U.S.) Add 2.00 for shipping and handling officers are having dialogue with the the­ ATOSCLASSIFIEDS plus 1.00 per each additional item.All foreignorders add 3.00 1>eritem. Check or mone) order only. 'o credit cards orC.O.D. Allow~-5 "eeks for dclilerJ. atre operator about ways to further use Send pa)menl and ordering informationlo : the organ in special presentations. Don GETRESULTS! R. Jclani Eddington llccordings, P.O. Bo, 20006-I,Ne" Hmen. CT 06520.

46 •JULY/ AUGUST1997 THEATREORGAN OHIOVALLEY JanetPeek-Gavin: 606/491-3950 Cincinnati, Ohio. "Down the valley of a thousand yesterdays flow the bright waters of Moon River, on and down, for­ ever flowing ... " With these words and the organ playing Kreisler's "Caprice Viennois," the chapter put on another "Moon River" show at Emery Theatre. The co-sponsor was Radio WMKV (89.3). As in past live shows, Gene Wilson was the organist on the 3/29 Wurlitzer. Judy James was the vocalist and Bill Myers read the poetry. Bill had been on the staff of WLW Radio for 30 years including stints as reader on "Moon River," closing the show in 1968. Bob Goodwinplayed the Wright residence "Moon River" is now heard on Wurlitzer for the North TexasApril meeting. WMKV nightly at 11:00 p.rn. After a hiatus of a few months our Reasons and Danny Ray have provided Nostalgic Movie Series was set to begin their talents for special events. again August 15 and 16. Excluding the In April we were invited by Gordon weekend of Labor Day, we will have and Evelyn Wright to hold our meeting in movies each Friday and Saturday nights their home. until around Thanksgiving. We shall have Chosen to play the Wurlitzer, was Bob a big stage and movie show for the Goodwin. Bob has had engagements at North Texaschapter president Don Peterson Christmas season on December 13. the Fort Worth Casa Manana Wurlitzer, (left) greeted Earl "Mac" McDonald (who is Many convention attendees had come the Landmark Pizza restaurant in Dallas obviously very proud of his Scottish heritage). to know the late John Gogle and his wife and in Denver at Twenty's restaurant Mac is the donor and crew chief of the North Mickey. Their pipe organ has been sold which featured a theatre pipe organ. Texas3/8 Robert-Mortonorgan in the and will be re-installed in the rebuilt More recently, Bob has kept his hand in LakewoodTheatre, Dallas. home of the Kettering, Ohio, inventor on the El Paso Plaza Wurlitzer in the Charles Kettering. Before the home Dallas residence of NTC member, Gil discovered was a folded piece of newspa­ burned, an Aeolian organ was installed in Swift. Everyone was excited by Bob's per that had been jammed into the open­ 1917. The rebuilt home is part of the playing and we hope that we get to hear ing. He pulled the piece of paper out of Kettering Medical Center and will be his music-making more often. the opening and carefully unfolded it. used as a conference center. In preparing the Wurlitzer for the Imagine his surprise in finding that this The organ, a 3/11 Kimball, was origi­ meeting, host Gordon Wright heard a was part of a page from the July 24, 1921 nally in the Capitol Theatre, Hazleton, faint fluttering noise corning from one of issue of the New York Tribune, 220 West Pennsylvania. The Gogle's bought it 23 the pipe chests and pulled a pipe to see if 42 St., New York City. Irving Light. years ago. Prior to the Gogle ownership he could determine the cause. What he of the organ, it had been owned by a per

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THEATREORGAN JULY/AUGUST 1997 • 47 OHIO cont. son who was an auto painter, and had painted the console midnight blue, using a metallic car paint. So the paint would­ n't, crack he put formica on the console! Under Gogle's ownership, the console has been refinished a more traditional white with gold trim. In its new home, it will be redone to blend with the wood paneling in the newly restored home. The Kimball console will be at the top of the stairs in Ridgeleigh Terrace, as was the Aeolian console. The organ is being restored by Larry and Angie Stofer of Dayton . Hubert S. Shearin Jim Fies enjoys one last number beforethe OATOS organ technician Warren Thomas organ is shut down. poses after playing for the membership. If you are planning a trip to central often feature a silent film, usually a come­ Florida this summer, give us a call at the dy running about 20 minutes For the first above number, or you can fax us at time, the 16mm movie projector was 407 /331-9056. Otherwise we hope to see replaced with an LCD Video Projector you at the National Convention in with improved picture quality. We've dis­ Indianapolis. Until next time! covered that it's becoming more and Wayne Tilschner more difficult to obtain silent movies on film. The audience is typically a mix of POTOMACVALLEY theatre organ buffs and people from the GeorgeMather, Jr.: 703/644-1262 local community with varied back­ Springfield, Virginia . Noted American grounds and interests. We discuss concert Film Institute organist, Ray Brubacher, programming at meetings and continue performed a marvelous public program to search for new and better ideas to help Saturday evening, May 10. This was the build larger audiences. Jim Merry first of our Sound of the Silents concerts for 1997 at the Harris Theatre on the cam­ ChapterChairman Don Near and Jerry pus of George Mason University in Nagano at the now 4/36 Wurlitzer in ORLANDOAREA Fairfax, Virginia . Plummer Auditorium, Fullerton. WayneTilschner: 407/331-4271 The chapter-owned Wurlitzer was in Orlando, Florida. For our March meet­ top condition for the concert, enriched by ORANGECOUNTY ing we were able to have our monthly the new Moller posthorn rank and some DonNear: 714/539-8944 program in the home of OATOS member beautiful sounds from the clarinet rank, Fullerton, California. As we move Chris Walsh. Chris has a three manual which was revoiced by Trivo Company through our second year as Orange Allen theatre organ installed in his living during the winter hiatus. Brubacher is a County Chapter, the Plummer Wurlitzer room . master at silent film accompaniment, and approaches completion as a restoration The meeting started off with our the audience was treated to two hilarious project . For those who don't know, our Chapter President Wayne Tilschner, giv­ short comedies, Hal Roach's It 's A Gift, club was founded as a support group for ing our members a brief status report on starring Snub Pollard, and the restored this organ. An original installation four the work being done on our Don Baker Laurel & Hardy Fight of The Century, with manual concert Wurlitzer is located in Wurlitzer. His enthusiastic and positive its spectacular pie fight at the end of the Fullerton High School Plummer repor t was well received by the attending film. Auditorium, a designated Landmark membership. Basically, Wayne stated that Ray's concert featured a variety of Historical Building. The organ has been there has not been any technical set backs popular music selections played on the completely rebuilt and updated as a pro­ since November of 1996. The organ now theatre's superb Steinway concert grand, ject of the Trousdale Organ Company has 10 complete ranks playing. We are including favorites from the Glenn Miller with hundreds of volunteer hours from hoping to have all the chests winded by era and compositions by George Bob Trousdale and his band of organ vol­ the end of July. This would complete the Gershwin and Andrew Lloyd Webber. unteers. With the addition of the main chamber of the organ, bringing the Our organ crew made significant Quintadena as the thirty-sixth rank, Bob instrument up to a 3/18. Chris Walsh, progress in making essential repairs to has no plans (and no room) to add more then played a short concert on his Allen our Kimball theatre pipe organ at the pipes. As more organists play the organ. University of Maryland. We look forward Plummer, word spreads that it is a fine The April meeting was held at Lake to the day when that instrument will be instrument both for listening and record­ Brantley High School. Our magnificent ready for concerts again. ing. We hope a CD will be produced later organ console, spot lighted on stage, George Johnson, our chief organ tech­ this year by a prominent recording artist gleamed like a beautiful jewel. As the nician and honorary life member, has - more on this to come! afternoon progressed, we heard the musi­ been sidelined recently due to a health Our second concert of the year was cal abilities of Warren Thomas, Don condition . We hope to have him "back on given by Jerry Nagano on April 27 and Jeerings, Jim Fles, Chris Walsh, Doris the job" very soon. was well received by an appreciative Ferrar and Dorothy Bethune. The next program in our 1997 series at audience. The program ranged from Unfortunately, this is the last time we'll the Harris Theatre will be held Sunday, romantic ballads to contemporary film be able to play our Wurlitzer until next June 15. The guest artist will be Dick music of John Williams and included fall. Over the next few months, the organ Hyman, who is considered by many to be Jerry's accompaniment to the Laurel & crew will be busy completing the installa­ the most influential jazz pianist/ organist Hardy silent film, Two Tars. Our concerts tion of the remaining pipe ranks. of our time. Bill Mastbrook

48 •JULY/ AUGUST1997 THEATREORGAN PUGETSOUND JoAnnEvans: 206/485-5465 Seattle, Washington. Sixteen interested people attended a "MIDI For Dummies" workshop recently. Sponsored by the chapter, it was an introduction to the world of MIDI for the uninitiated. Keith Evans, Director of the Digital Music Department at Edmonds Community College near Seattle, gave the presentation. It was held in his fully MIDI-equipped class­ room, and covered many MIDI basics: MIDI explained; MIDI applied; how various MIDI equipment works together; how a comter enhances your own setup; various software packages to consider; where to begin with a home studio. During the second hour, attendees visited the department's various small studios each equipped with a computer and specific keyboard/ software configurations. It was a great learning experi­ ence for those interest­ ed in understanding the Guest artist Jim Ross at the consoleof WarnerMoss' Conn theatre workings of MIDI. organ. TomJ effen;photo On April 19, England's this occasion Paul screened 16mm black and white archival film Russell Holmes (a for­ of Omaha, from his private collection, cued by Greg Johnson at mer ATOS Young the organ. The sequences included aerial shots of the city, street­ Organist Competition cars, passenger trains, and hydroplane boat races on Carter winner) played a Lake, and we all got the chance to sing "Omaha," introduced by delightful concert for organist Arthur Hays at Omaha's World Theatre in the 1920s. about 60 people at the Following the film, Greg closed his program with a medley from home of Russ and The King and I. Many thanks to Greg and Paul for an outstand­ J oAnn Evans. The ing program. Evans home was used At Omaha's Rose Theatre the chambers have been prepared due to a real shortage of for installation of the 3/17 Wurlitzer, wind lines have been run, available venues. The and power has been wired into the blower. Work also continues Evans' Wurlitzer is a on the home installation of Bob Markworth's Kimball theatre 3/16 with piano Russell Holmes at the Evans' 3/16 organ. Bob's cadre of helpers includes Paul Kanka, Harold (Yamaha Disklavier Kenny, Greg Johnson, and Steve Barker. Tom Jeffery Wurlitzer. connected via MIDI), and Russell used all its resources fully. Arriving guests were treated to pre-program piano music on the Yamaha Disklavier player piano. Plans are in the works for the annual One Big Weekend Opus IV, a cooperative effort with Columbia River Organ Club. This year's event will feature a day-long organ crawl including sev­ eral home pipe installations. RIVERCITY GregoryJohnson: 402/624-5655 Omaha, Nebraska. Warner Moss hosted our March 16 meeting in his north Omaha condo. Vice-President Paul Kanka conduct­ ed a short business meeting, including an update on the Rose Theatre's Wurlitzer installation and then introduced member Jim Ross, our guest artist for the afternoon. Jim Ross, in addition to being a talented young organist, is a nat­ ural entertainer, he kept us "in stitches" with his homespun humor from the organ bench. Many thanks to Jim for his artistry and to Warner Moss for his generous hospitality. For our April 20 meet­ ing we returned to Durand's Sky Ranch Organ Studio, with our Fa1rher President Greg John­ son, as featured organ­ ist for the afternoon. JamesMiller Paul Kanka, in addition to being our Vice­ River City president GregJohnson at the President, is our resi­ "Father Jim" 401 Davis Street chapter'sBarton console. TomJeffen; photo dent movie maker. For 810/629-5400 Fenton, Ml 48430

THEATREORGAN JULY/AUGUST 1997 • 49 Woogie Bugle Boy" brought down the parts in 1956, but its 16' Tibia is part of installed in Tulsa's Scottish Rite Temple. house. Belleville East High School pre­ Phil's own residence instrument today. The Tulsa Coliseum housed a 3/10 sented a few numbers from the "Will The downtown Orpheum Theatre Wurlitzer which operated on 25" of wind; Rogers Follies" and SLTOS Board received the 2/ 6 Wurlitzer that had origi­ its ivories were worn through! The organ Member, Dave Stephens performed a spe­ nally been installed in the Rialto Theatre; was totally destroyed when the Coliseum cial mini-concert along with SLTOS mem­ this organ was expanded to nine ranks at burned to the ground in September of ber Bob Heil who also played a mini-con­ the time, completely restored in the early 1952.The 4/21 Wurlitzer in Christ Chapel cert and acted as Emcee. Dennis 1960s, and in 1969 was sold and moved to at Oral Roberts University is a late-comer Ammann, SLTOS Past President, accom­ Dallas. A 4/11 Robert-Morton replaced to Tulsa, but is probably the largest the­ panied a hilarious Will Rogers silent film the Wurlitzer in the Rialto Theatre. This atre organ Tulsa had._It was brought from entitled Don't Park There. Dennis's daugh­ organ was sold to Central Assembly of the Palms Theatre in Detroit, in the mid- ter, Sara, was also featured as one of the God Church when the theatre was demol­ 1970s, but is presently unplayable. "Andrews Sisters," and also performed ished . This is the instrument currently Phil mentioned a number of other some vocal solos. Lincoln Theatre owners being installed in the Orpheum Theatre in instruments: home installations (many of Richard and Betty Wright, and their Okmulgee, Oklahoma, by our member which have found new homes); a 3/11 daughter Sandy, and her husband, David John Mcconnel. It is being expanded to 28 Wurlitzer brought from the Palace Schoenborn, all SLTOS members, did a ranks, and Phil said he'd played some of Theatre in Memphis by John Devine, then remarkable job of bringing an afternoon it a few months ago on John's test key­ played for a time in the Showplace of great entertainment to the stage of the board . Restaurant in Oklahoma City but was Lincoln. The 4/17 Robert-Morton housed in the removed to a Pizza Parlor in Houston, Our March membership meeting was downtown Ritz Theatre is the instrument then ultimately broken up for parts. held at the Lincoln Theatre. Members best remembered today. That instrument, The 4/45 Kilgen at Tulsa's Central Richard and Betty Wright invited our designed by organist Wade Hamilton, High School is presently unplayable, but membership to a long-anticipated oppor­ was installed in 1926, and played by there are interested people who want it ttrnity for a two-hour open console on the Wade, his brother Howard, and Milton rebuilt. 3/15 hybrid instrument. Slosser. Phil recalled his older brother He also told us about many surround­ In March, Vice-President, Mark Harlan taking him to hear Milton play ing cities and their theatres, and the pipe Gifford presented two performances of when he (Phil) was about three or four organs they contained. The list was quite the DeMille silent classic, King of Kings. years old. The organ is presently expand­ surprising! Of course, the most exciting One of the shows was held in Granite ed to 21 ranks and now owned by Mark one for Oklahoma today is the 3/10 City, Illinois, and the other in Springfield, Ker:i-ning, installed in his home in Wurlitzer which is completely restored at the high school that is home to the for­ Richardson, Texas. and playing, in the Coleman Theatre mer Orpheum Theatre 3/12 Barton. There were smaller theatres in Tulsa Beautiful in Miami, Oklahoma. Our own The April 20 meeting was also held at with pipe organs: the Alhambra had a chapter 3/13 Robert-Morton, housed in the Lincoln Theatre so our members small Kimball, disposition unknown; the the Broken Arrow Campus of Tulsa could enjoy the first feature length silent Circle had a 2/ 4 Robert-Morton, present­ Technology Center, is also worthy of film to be presented at the Lincoln since ly being expanded to 6-8 ranks and to be mention. Dorothy Smith 1930. Our own Dennis Ammann provid­ ed the accompaniment to the Buster The inaugural Cassette recording of the Keaton classic, The General, on the 3/15 Capitol Theatre Mighty Moller Pipe Organ instrument. Bob Heil performed the pre­ Chambersburg, PA movie concert. Bob and Dennis will again team up on October 26 at the Lincoln for PUTTIN' ON THE PIPES afternoon and evening showings of the Lon Chaney classic The Phantom of The BOB EYER, Jr. Opera. For information, call Dennis Ammann at 618/654-7855 evenings. Jim Ryan Let'sGo To TheMovies DigitallyMastered High SOONERSTATE • ThemeFrom "Ice QualityChrome SamCollier: 918/834-6255 Castles"•When Johnny CassetteTape: Tulsa, Oklahoma. Our March meeting $12Donation $2 First was held in the Broken Arrow campus of ComesMarching Home Tulsa Technology Center, where newcom­ • ThisNearly Was Mine ClassPostage & er Wayne Barrington played the mini­ Handling.Outside • Ain't SheSweet/Five concert on our 3/13 Robert-Morton the­ U.S.add$4. atre pipe organ. Seven people then FootTwo • 0 LadyBe played at open console. Good• TheLost Chord Because we have so many new mem­ Enclosecheck in U.S.$ • WeNeed A Little bers in our chapter, our meeting for April, II!:·:~:=-drawnon a U.S.bank and held at Tulsa Technology Center, was a Christmas• HowCould I sendto: repeat of Phil Judkins' fascinating EverKnow• Princeton CVTOSProductions "History of Theatre Organ in Tulsa and Surrounding Areas." His text was not LoyaltyMarch • The C/0 Mrs.Ruth Cooley identical to the lecture he gave last year, HolyCity • Puttin'On 404Sunset Lane so we all had plenty more to learn. Phil TheRitz Shippensburg,PA 17257 presented his history, starting with the organs in the four downtown Tulsa Theatr~s. The Majestic was the first built, in 1921; its original two-manual Hillgreen Lane was replaced with a 3/16 Robert­ All proceeds from this recording will be usedfor the completion of the Theatre Organ Morton. The Morton was broken up for Restoration Project

50 •JULY/ AUGUST1997 THEATREORGAN PLVMMER'SPIPES REMEMBER! The ATOS Archives/Library SEAN HENDERSON has moved ... direct your ATOS SENSATIONAL YOUNG ORGANIST donations, orders, and inquiries to: SPECIALSERVICES PLAYS THE NEWLY REBUILT PLUMMER AUDITORIUM ATOS 4/35 WURLITZER VERNON * P. BICKEL Fullerton High School, California ARCHIVES/LIBRARY785 Palomino Court JOE MOFFATT, CURATOR San Marcos, CA 92069-2102 COMPACT DISC $18 ppd. 152 York Road, Suite 200 619/471-6194 Elmhurst, IL 60126-2806 DOLBY CASSETTE $14 ppd. Fax 619/471-6194 (*51) 630/782-1800 BELDALE RECORDS e-mail: [email protected] 13722 RUSHMORE LANE * SANTA ANA, CA 92705

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • • 1 • Individualized Compact Disc Recording Service : Breathe new life into your favorite musical performances by having them : ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ l[~~ ll f~~ ~ l~~ ~ transferred direct to compact disc, and preserved for years to come . Most 78, 45 r~[ or 33-1 /3 r.p.m. records, cassettes, open-reel or digital tapes can be transferred. ■

63 minute compact discs $69.95 The inaugural COMPACT DISC ONLY 74 minute compact discs $74.95 recording of the $18 + $2 postage & handling California residents add $1 .40 sales tax. recently refurbished Outside U.S. add $4 Enclose check in U.S.$ drawn on a U.S. [~] Detroit Fox bank and mail to: For information, contact Mr . James Stemke at Digital Sonic Productions, 408 4/36 Wurlitzer T-V Recording Courtland Ct., Schaumburg, IL 60193. Telephone & Fax: 708-539-1343. Visa, Mas­ P.O. Box 70021 terCard and Discovery. Professionalquality with fast service. theatre pipe organ. Sunnyvale, CA 94088-4021 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ' THEAIRE ORGAN COUECTOR 'S SERIES pr•u•h Volu,a• 3 ~ -·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·- @~ ll@[JJ[flrJJOaUJ [{i!J LI [J}rj!J{!J[1[1 . ' 1 gELEY· pl1ylng5 of tile Mllwe1t1 Fi11e1tCo11cert & Tlreatri pi,, org,01!! The premiere recording of This 65 minute Stereo Cassette of never -befor -relea ed material GBER recorded between 1962 &: 1982 includes: Jealousy, Among My Nor-Cal Chapter's 4/29 Wurlitzer, Souvenirs, Going Home, All the Things J'ou Are. I Got Rhythm , Bill, The Song of Raintree County, Clair d'Lune , Toccata It featuring WALT STRONY at the console. Fugue in D Minor, Belle of the Ball, Tritsch Tratsch Polka , Theme from ·rhe Summer of '42", Without a Song, Cherokee It OJ' Man River. CD : $20 . Cassette: $14 (Full length, real time). Prices are for USA, Theseperforrrnmces have been digitally re-masteredand are available Canada , Mexico; other countries add $1.25 . VISA and MasterCard on stereo cassettes for $12.00 , each, postpald ($ 15.00 outside the U.S.) welcome. Checks and money orders in U.S. dollars . Makec hecks or money orders payable to Order from: Digital Sonic Productions NOR-CAL TOS, P.O . Box 27238, Oakland, CA 94602-0438 "'- 408 Courtland Ct., Sclaaumburg, IL 60193 ~ -·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·-·--

Enjoy your LAST CHANCE to hear the Fabulous Paramount Music Palace Wurlitzer Organ in PROSCIA ORGANS 11 OFFICE& SHOP "M~siel M~siel M~sie/ P. 0. BOX547 •168 BARRAVE. featuring Bill Vlasak in a musical tribute to the 1950's C.D. $20.00 ppd. or Cassette $14.00 ppd. BOWDON, GA 30108 Also Available: ✓1sentimental]ourney 11 C.D. $20.00 ppd. "Slow Boat To China" C.D. $20.00 ppd. MICHAELPROSCIA WJVProductions, Inc. ORGANBUILDER,Inc. P.O. Box 19746 • Indianapolis, IN 46219 This new digital release includes: Abba DabbaHoneymoon , Blue Tango,Secret Love, (770) 258-3388 I've GotA lovely Bunchof Coconuts, Dreamlover; Mr. Sandmanand marrymore!

THEATREORGAN JULY/AUGUST 1997 • 51 nationwide. Pipe organs bought and sold. Bob manual, full pedal, bench, two matching Conn Maes , 1117 W. 8th, Kansas City, MO 64101 . speaker cabinets and 8 ranks Conn electronic Phone 816/471-6316 , Fax 816/471-1106. pipes. Excellent condition. $9500 080 . Phone THEATRE PIPE ORGAN PARTS: Consoles , 309/699-8418 . ClassifiedAdschest , pipework , blowers , percussions . Send QUIET , HIGH PRESSURE BLOWERS. 1/2 TELLOUR ADVERTISERS address and phone number to be added to h.p., 18" static pressure, about 100 cubic feet FREE mailing list. Roy Davis Pipe Organs , per minute, high speed, small size, need exter­ THATYOU SAW THEIR AD IN 1256 Cumberland Caverns Rd., McMinville, TN nal capacitor and internal cleaning . As is $50 THETHEATRE ORGAN 37110. Phone 615/668-4396 , Fax 615/668- plus crating. Contact Gary Rickert, @ Peterson 5382. Electromusical Products, Inc. 708/388-3311. JOURNAL! WURLITZER: 8' DIAPASON 73 NOTES (chest WURLITZER CHIME ACTION (25 note) $150 for 7 basses only) , $800. Reservoirs , $500 080 . Morton regulator - medium size FORSALE each (rebuilt) . 16' Bourdon , 12 pipes with (releathered) $150 080 . Morton Vox tremulant chest, $500. Everything good to excellent con­ - beater & valve box $25 . Morton Violin and THE ORGAN LITERATURE FOUNDATION , dition. Crating extra. Johnson Organ Company, Violin Celeste - both 8' and 4' - $800 080. wo rld's largest supplier of organ books and Fargo, ND. Phone 701/237-0477 . Pianocorder Reproducing System (bench recordings , offers Catalogue "EE" listing 790 WHITE BLOWER MFG., INC. Manufacturing model) $2200 080. Robert Hartzell, 209/369- books , 679 theatre organ recordings , 4300 4184. classical organ LPs, Cassettes and CDs, etc. pipe organ blowers since 1972. Dual pressure, Send $2 or 5 international reply coupons. The multiple horsepower available. For free catalog WURLITZER 2/8 - original (1921) 2/5 Style B Organ Literature Foundation , 45 Norfolk Rd., and information call 1-800 /433-4614 , Fax expanded to 2/8. Currently installed . Call for Braintree, MA 02184-5918 . 617/848-1388 , Fax 517/323-6907. 2540 Webster Rd., Lansing, Ml specifications . 916/235-0116. 617 /8488- 7655. 48917 . AUSTRALIAN CONVENTION. Why not come FREE AUDIO-VIDEO CATALOG 3/22 WURLITZER - with large Kimball theatre Down Under in '98 to the 26th National TOSA CDs, AUDIO & VIDEO CASSETTES : console . All late model equipment. Instrument Convention , Soundsational Pipes in Classical, 2-Organ, Gospel, Theatre , will be completely reconditioned and readied Sensational Adelaide , April 10-13. Three the­ and Instructional. Write to: for installation by FBI. A special organ for a atre organs , including the Capr i 4/29, seven ALLEN ORGAN CO., P.O. BOX 36, special project. Foley-Baker , Inc., 1-800/621- concerts , brass band , great artists , silent Macungie, PA 18062-0036 2624 . movies, fine food and fun. Inquiries: Mrs. Gail or Phone 610/966-2202 ALLEN ORGAN MODEL ADC 4500, 1987 , Ward , ph/fax +61 8 8387 1554. e-mail: with card reader (alterable voice), mint condi­ [email protected] .au Package tours from SOUVENIR BOOKLET: Temple Theatre Organ USA: Susan Cole, 352/303-6975. Club's 25th Anniversary Booklet, theatre histo­ tion , pictures available. Ask ing $12 ,000 . F. ry, club history and details of Barton #195 . Monte, 77A Chatham Dr., Cranbury, NJ 08512- Postage paid with donation of $5.00. T.T.O.C., 3804 . Phone 609 / 395-8736 . e-ma il: RECORDINGS famonte ?@thermal .net 315 Court Street, Saginaw, Ml 48602. AVALON VOLUME 1 Bill Campbell plays the FREE CATALOG OF PIPE ORGAN CDs. , WURLITZER & KIMBALL Brass Trumpet and 3/28 Wurlitzer located at the historic Avalon tapes and books from the Organ Historical Sax, Strings. Write or call: Steele Pipe Organ Theatre , Milwaukee , Wisconsin . Selections Society. With 56 pages, this catalog lists organ Service, 151 Thorpe , Pontiac, Ml 48341-1373 . include: This Could Be the Start of Something recordings , videos , publicat ions , and other Phone 810/334-9131. Big, Medley from Desert Song, Slaughter on items , some of which are produced by the THEATRE ORGAN LPs FOR SALE Reduced Tenth Avenue and more . Cassette only . OHS . The catalog also includes many items prices on over 100 albums left from my large Postpaid: USA $12. Order from: Bill Campbell, that are hard to find or unavailable elsewhere . record collection. Many recorded in England . 912 S. 112th St., West Allis, WI 53214-2207 . OHS, Box 26811, Richmond , VA 23261. Call or May be your last chance to get one of these Fax 804/353-9266. rare recordings . Lists for stamp. T.D. Dewey, WANTED 25th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE 208 S. Main, Caney, KS 67333-213 1. BOOKLET An illustrated history of the San ELECTRONIC ORGAN PARTS - Artisan , PIPE ORGAN TECHNICIAN: Due to our Gabriel Civic Auditorium and its Mighty Wersi and more Devtron ix items not listed increased demand for our consoles and cus­ Wurlitzer. 20 pages with 20 illustrations tell the before . Updated list -- half prices on many tom additions to pipe organs, we are expand­ complete story of this historic theatre, Wurlitzer remaining parts, hardware, books, audio units, ing our personnel in these areas. We are look­ Opus #0870 and its installation . Profits from test instruments and more. Send SASE . T.D. ing for an energetic individual with experience the sale of this book go toward the preserva­ Dewey, 208 S. Main, Caney, KS 67333-2131 . and knowledge relating to pipe organ construc­ tion and technology. Apply to: Allen Organ tion of this Mighty Wurlitzer -- a featured organ WURLITZER RANKS. Vox Humana $250 . at ATOS National Conventions in 1979, 1987 Company, P.O. Box 36, Macungie, PA 18062- Clar inet 8' missing pipe d#4 and four boots 0036. and 1996! Just $6 postpaid from LATOS, P.O. $300. Phone 203/375-1038. Box 1913, Glendale, CA. B-3/C-3/A-100 HAMMOND ORGANS Leslie GULBRANSEN RIALTO MODEL "K" 2 manu­ speakers . CASH PAID! Nationwide pick up. THE WORLD'S LARGEST PLAYING al theatre organ , horseshoe console , 25 note ORGAN: Our support programs need your Not ready to sell yet? SAVE THIS AD! A few polyphonic pedal board , 2 Leslie isomonic select electronic theatre organs to trade or sell. help! Lavish quarterly illustrated restoration speakers with switching . Piano Stop , Tech magazine for $15/yr. Donation to Friends of the Conn 653 , Rodgers Trio , etc. KEYBOARD Manual and wiring diagrams . Organ has been EXCHANGE INTERNATIONAL. 407/671-0730 Wanamaker Organ , 224 Lee Circle , Bryn well-maintained and is in good condition . Make Mawr, PA 19010-3726. or Fax 407/671-2272 . offer. 914/986-0095. WURLITZER PIPE ORGAN RANKS as fol ­ OLD AUDIO EQUIPMENT. 1930s to 1960s . 2 CONN THEATRE ORGANS, Models 650 lows : 8' Brass Saxophone , 8' Solo Tibia Microphones , amplifiers , mixers , speakers , and 651. Both walnut finish. 3-manual AGO 32 Clausa, 16'-8' Bourdon-Concert Flute, 16' Solo tubes , etc. Western Electric , Altec , Marantz , pedal board , serviced , in excellent condition. Tibia, 12 pipes w/offset. 16' Wood Diaphone, 8' McIntosh , Jensen , Lansing , etc. 1-800/251- Conn pipes and Leslie 's available . Private 5454. Diaphonic Diaphone , 25" wind , 8' Clarinet , 4' home near Buffalo, NY. 1-800/747-0780 , M-F Tibia Clausa , 1 wind , Robert-Morton Wood O" 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT. USED ELECTRONIC RELAY for a 3-manual Open Diapason , 44 pipes w/chests . David Wurlitzer. Mike Foley. 1-800/621-2624. Krall , 4218 Torrence Ave. , Hammond , IN ROBE RT-MORTON 2/6 Diapason , Flute , KORG CHROMATIC TUNER Model WT-12. 46327. 219/932-2322. Trumpet/Tuba , 2 Vox's and extensions, internal and external switches . 2 tremulants , 2 wind Dean McNichols , 12203-42 Santa Gertrudes BLOWER HIGH PRESSURE , very high vol­ chests , chimes , toy sect ion/drums , Deagan Ave., La Mirada, CA. 562/947-2136. ume , dual outlet Spencer Blower w/60 h.p. Chrysoglott , Xylophone , and blower . Uncut ALLEN 6500 THEATRE ORGAN or 6500 cus­ motor. Excellent condition, ready to go. David cable . Console and bench . Storage tom theatre organ. Send specifications and info Krall , 4218 Torrence Ave ., Hammond , IN Bellingham , WA. Robert Foste r, 135 Marine with photo and serial number with price to: 46327. 219/932-2322. Dr., Blakely Island, WA 98222. Phone 707/252- Hans G. Volmerg , A .B.C . Organ Studio , THEATRE ORGAN PARTS - For all your pipe 4377. $5900 . Harringholzstrasse 20 , D 59077 HAMM , organ needs. Expert organ crating and moving, CONN THEATRE ORGAN, MODEL 653 , 3 Germany.

52 • JULY/ AUGUST 1997 THEATRE ORGAN -'-buc.-iean Tltcatt·c ()1·ga11 Society SPECI"'U"'SER\11CES DEP~UlTJlffi1'1T

The Items shown may - .... ' ' be ordered, using the order form found on the mailing cover of this journal. The prices include postage & handling for orders ~ shipped to ;;.,: ""' addresses in .. the USA. .. Please note ...•· that there is an extra charge for all items shipped outside of the USA.

■ 1 ATOS JOURNAL BINDERS, $14.00 each ■ 2 THEATRE ORGAN SHOP NOTES, $80.00 each ■ 3 ATOS LAPEL PIN, $3.00 each ■ 4 ATOS BALLPOINT PEN, $2.00 each ■ 5 ATOS CERAMIC MUG, $7.00 each; 4 for $25.00 ■ 6 INDEX OF ATOS PUBLICATIONS 1955-1975, $1.50 each; INDEX OF THEATRE ORGAN JOURNAL 1976-1995, $3.00 each ■ 7 EDUCATOR'S GUIDE TO TEACHING THE HISTORY OF THE THEATRE ORGAN, $7.50 each ■ 8 ATOS ARCHIVES/LIBRARY CATALOGS: Volume 1 - Printed Music, $35.00; Volume 2 - Audio Recordings, $35.00; Volume 3 - Printed Matter, $15.00.

BIGGER CROWDS EACH YEAR "A spectacular performance by Bob Ralston at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet on April 28, 1996. A true master of the theatre pipe organ, he brought the audience to their feet in several standing ovations. bob has entertained and charmed a near capacity house for two consecutive years. A tradition in the making." Lili Zuber, pres., JATOE, April 1996 EVEN BETTER THAN EXPECTED "We knew that Bob Ralston's programs were going to be good, since he has appeared her at Riordon Hall in Bella Vista three times previously. However, he outdid himself on May 16 & 17, 1996. He was even better than expected. Both nights were sold out, and our audiences were thrilled." Roland Simmelink, pres., VPAA, May 1996 BOB RALSTON 17027 TENNYSON PLACE, GRANADA HILLS, CA 91344-1225 All fees are fully negotiable. You can afford Bob Ralston, and your chapter will make a handsome profit. Call for details: 818/366-3637 SPECIFICATION

Great Accompanimentto Pedal Sound Effects(LP) DoubleEnglish Horn 16' MIDI A (LP) MIDI A (LP) Tuba Profunda16' MIDI B (LP) MIDI B (LP) Theatre 360 DELUXE Tibia Clausa16' ContraViol CelesteII 16' Pedal Voice Palette Solo Voice Palette Vax Humana 16' DoubleEnglish Horn 16' Kinura 8' Trumpet 8' Kinura 8' Musette 8' TubaHorn 8' captivating elegance of Vax Humana 8' (!;J:. Open Diapason8' sight and dazzling variety of sounds Accompaniment Tibia Clausa8' EnglishHorn 8' that thrilled audiences during the OrchestralOboe 8' Tremulants Tuba Horn 8' golden age of the theatre organ are Krumet 8' Main Tuba Open Diapason8' reborn, as Rodgers brings the Clarinet8' Solo Tibia Clarinet8' tradition of these magnificent Viol CelesteII 8' Viol CelesteII 8' CombinationAction instruments into a new musical era. Vax Humana 8' Quintadena8' (LightedPistons) Tibia Quint 5-1/3' ConcertFlute 8' Generals:1 2 3 4 5 Octave4' With its subtle accents of traditional Vax Humana 8' Divisionals: Piccolo4' carved wood ornamentation and Octave4' Great Viol CelesteII 4' gold highlighting, the hand­ Piccolo4' pp p mf f ff 1 2 3 4 5 TibiaTwelfth 2-2/3' finished console of the Theatre 360 Viol CelesteII 4' Solo 12 3 4 5 TibiaPiccolo 2' Deluxe is equally at home in a liv­ Flute 4' Accompaniment/Pedal Viol 15th 2' ing room or music room, or at center stage of a concert hall. Tibia Tierce1-3/5' Harp PPPmf f ff TibiaFife 1' Chrysoglott Pedal12 3 4 5 A grand tradition ... and more MIDI A (LP) Snare Dr~m Set and Cancel 4 InternalMemories From theatre to classical to Broadway to pop, the vast resources of MIDI B (LP) Tambourzne the Theatre 360 Deluxe pro­ Soloto GreatPizzicato (LP) i;;b;;lect (WoodBlock) Mood Enhancement vide the ultimate in musical GreatSostenuto (LP) MIDI A (LP) Seashore versatility. Its 26 tl1eatre organ Soloto GreatMelody (LP) MIDI B (LP) Pastoral ranks are sampled from the Great Voice Palette Thunderstorm finest original pipework, avail­ Saxophone16' Accompaniment Tropical able at the touch of a finger TibiaMinor 8' Voice Palette City using Rodgers' exclusive Kinura 8' Trumpet 8' Fantasy Voice Palette™ feature. These are augmented by 654 orchestral Musette 8' TibiaMinor 8' voices, percussions and sound effects from an internal MIDI sound TibiaMinor 4' Mixture IV Rhythmaker™ module. The organ features two-channel stereophonic reproduc­ Mixture IV Swing tion, expandable to a total of ten audio Trumpet 16' Solo Rock channels. The built-in Rodgers EnglishHorn 8' Country Rhythmaker contains a wide variety of Pedal Trumpet 8' Dixie dynamic rhythm patterns, and the unique Diaphone32' Tuba Horn 8' Waltz Mood Enhancements help create atmospheric backgrounds for Tuba Profunda16' Tibia Clausa8' BossaNova your music. In addition to the four internal combination memories, Diaphone16' OrchestralOboe 8' Latin 1 ContraViolon Celeste II 16' Krumet 8' Latin 2 an unlimited number of favorite combinations and settings can be Bourdon16' Saxophone8' March saved using Rodgers Personal Memory Cards. Tuba Horn 8' Piccolo4' 2nd Pattern TibiaClausa 8' Tibia Twelfth 2-2/3' Clarinet8' TibiaPiccolo 2' Rhythm start/stop CellosII 8' Solo Suboctave16' Rhythm break ({1;:Rodgers Theatre360 Deluxe Flute 8' Xylophone(LP) Sync/Start is THE theatre organfor the '90s. Tympani Chrysoglott(LP) Intro/Endingfill Cymbal Harp (LP) Trap Select(Bass Drum) Glockenspiel(LP) *LP LightedPiston For more information, or to see and play the Theatre 360 Deluxe, contact your nearest Rodgers representative or call (503)648-4181, ext. 480. Internal Roland® Sound Module 654 orchestralvoices, percussions and sound effects.

Visit our Web Page at 1300N.E. 25th A venue http:/ /www.rodgerscorp.com Hillsboro, Oregon 97124USA ~ (503)648-4181 • FAX (503)681-0444 Rodgers in Canada, 5480 Parkwood Way, Rodgers®,Rodgers Classic Organs®, Parallel Digital [maging®, Voice Palette TM, DVM™, Rhythmaker™, and PDrM , ROIGERS® Richmond B.C.V6V 2M4, Tel: (604)270-6332 trademarks ofRodgers Instrument Corporation, Hillsboro, Oregon . Rodgersorgans are builtin Hillsboro, Oregon,U

A Member of the Roland Group © 1995 RodgersInstrument orporation ~ theatre organfor ROffiERS today's organists and listeners

Theatre360 Rodgers Instrument Corporation, 1300 N.E. 25th. Avenue, Hillsboro, Oregon 97124 • Tel: (503) 648-4181 • Fax: (503) 681-0444 DELUXE Rodgers in Canada, 5480 Parkwood Way, Richmond B.C. V6V 2M4, Tel: (604) 270-6332 So{o 16 ' Posthorn 16 ' Trump et 16' Tuba Horn 16 ' Tibia Clausa 16 ' Saxophone ~ 16 ' String CelesteCITI 16 ' Vox Humana .,.. 8' Post horn . }aveform Pipe Organ !\')j/ 8' Trumpet ifremulants 8' Tuba Horn 8' Tibia Claus i • ...::: ,Jr rhemory capture 1 8 ' ,tern - 192 total 8 ' .., 8 ' combinations 8 ' • ..A' lst ·•-authentic theatre and 8 ' String Celeste Ill ~ 8 ' Oboe Horn Jt~~sic organ voicing and 8 ' Vox Humana --=~~ :::::::::::::::::::.-,~~semble 4' Piccolo 2-2/3 ' Twelfth • 120 Traditional moving 2' Piccolo stops - all tonal controls are 1-3/5 ' Tierce 8 ' Piano * available on stoptabs as Glockenspiel tradition demands Xylophone Wood Harp 18 rank theatre organ plus Chimes ;;~ 37 rank classic organ avail- -'--- able with 2nd voicing 5;cc~1::;g~ _ ent • Settings can be saved via 8 ' Trump: • external MIDI sequencer 8 ' Tuba Horn 8 ' Open Diapason • On-board voicing controls 8 ' Tibia Clausa • Main and Solo Expression 8 ' Clarinet 8 ' Solo String pedals PLUS separate 8 ' Violin Celeste II Programmable Crescendo 8 ' Oboe Horn 8' Ouintadena pedal 8 ' Concert Flute • Programmable MIDI sustain 8 ' Vox Humana 4 ' Octave • Exclusive Allen limited ten­ 4 ' Piccolo year warranty - the best in 4' Viole 4 ' Lieblich Flute the industry - Among items 8 ' Piano * .. . < - , < .•. . , ,W .••; covered for Ten Years are: Wood Harp Chrysoglott 1) Key contacts Snare Drum 16 ' Posthorn ,~rt~;i:~:ntifte·t·· 2) all circuit boards Tambourine 16' Trumpet 1' Fife -•• Wood Block 16' Tuba Horn 16' Piano * 3) Audio Amplifiers Tom Tom 16 ' Open Diapason 8' Piano* 4) Stop Brackets and contacts High Hat 16 ' Tibia Clausa Glockenspiel Cymbal 16' Saxophone Xylophone 5) Power Supplies 16 ' Musette Solo to Great ..~!~ .. Peda{ 16 ' Solo String 16' Violin Celeste II 32' Cantre Violone (jenerafs 16' Vox Humana 16' Tuba Profunda Solo to Accompaniment 8 ' Posthorn 16' Diaphone 8' Trumpet 16' Tibia Clausa 8' Tuba Horn 16' Violone 8' Open Diapason 8 ' Posthorn 8' Tibia Clausa 8' Tuba Horn O 8 ' Kinura i~fi~~i~~liple, ~th~nr:gg_ns . 8' Open Diapason 8' Orchestrai Oboe 8' Tibia Clausa 8' Clarinet 'Tremu[ants , 8' Clarinet 8' Saxophone Main Tremulant 8 ' Concert Flute 8' Solo String Solo Tremulant Macungie , PA 18062-0036 16' Piano · 8' Violin Celeste II Tibia/Vex Tremulant Tel: 610-966-2202 8 ' Piano * 8' Ouintadena Fax: 610-965-3098 Bass Drum 8' Concert Flute ·Prepared for only• Cymbal http://www.allenorgan.com 8 ' Vox Humana must use external MIDI Accompaniment to Pedal device . Unenclosed . 5-1/3 ' Tibia Quint e-mail: aosales @allenorgan.com 4' Octave 4' Piccolo Minimum Audio System : 4 channels totaling (400 watts RMS , 4 full range speaker MIDI on Pedal 4 ' Viole cabinets) other optional audio systems are available MIDI on Accompaniment 4' Lieblich Flute MIDI on Accompaniment 2nd Touch 2-2/3 ' Twelfth Console Dimensions: Width : 63" , Height: 55" (plus music rack) , Depth : 35 1/2" MIDI on Great 2' Fifteenth Depth with pedalboard and bench 60". MIDI on Solo 2' Piccolo Specifications and stop lists subject to change without notice or obligation .

,: AOC 1996 YL{{en,tfie standan{ 6y wfiicfi others arejudged