CLOSING CHORD

For a period of three or four years in Subsequent to his retirement from around this time, I was very honored to BOB VANCAMP WSB, he became office manager for have been among the privileged few in Allen Organs of Atlanta where he found attendance each Sunday morning as the • A Tribute• more time and opportunity to play the or­ Fox's magnificent 4/42 Moller got its The year wa.s1970 gan than ever before in his lifetime. This was evidenced by the crowds that would weekly workout by the master of the in­ The time wasSunday morning strument and house organist of many Any Sunday morning come to the Saturday night Jam Sessions years, Bob Van Camp. I was even more Nearly every Sunday morning at Winn's Warehouse to get to hear Bob on the 4/16 Page where his arrange­ privileged to get to know this wonderful The place was thefabulous Fox Theatre man who put the organ through its paces in Atlanta ments of the familiar songs took on a dif­ each week and who enlightened his The instmment was the 'MightyMo" ferent style, a new approach. There were small, but enthusiastic, audience of tech­ The artist was BOB VAN CAMP exciting new registrations, more upbeat nicians and house-cleaners with some Bob Van Camp passed away on tempos, lusher harmonies, more senti­ of the finest music to have ever come January 26, 1990. mental ballads than ever before. On from a "box of whistles. " several occasions , when asked to play a Each week Bob would write down on hymn, I heard Bob play " When Morning a small index card a list of what he was Gilds The Skies.'' And in closing this going to play and, in some cases, a re­ brief tribute to a lifetime of musical devo­ quest or two. Bob would assemble the tion, I quote from the opening lines of tunes together with gorgeous harmonies the second verse of this hymn: and lush registrations unequalled by any "When mirth for music longs, other organist. His playing was always precise, his phrasing impeccable , his this is my song of songs. " melodies glorious and singing, and The song has ended, but both the through all this his "famous left hand" melody and the memory linger on. would weave an accompaniment and - James Thrower counter melody that would inspire the greatest of musicians. At the conclusion of the songs listed by title, Bob would FLORENCE DeJONG feature a composer such as Cole Porter, England's premier lady theatre organ­ George Gershwin, or Irving Berlin and ist, Florence DeJong, passed away on we would be entertained by a dozen or July 11. She is survived by her sister, so of that composer's songs, all arranged Ena Baga, also a famous broadcasting into fantastic scores performed with that organist. Miss DeJong was 95. same precision, skill and musical correct­ Miss DeJong was , for 13 years, resi­ ness that would normally have resulted dent organist in the New Gallery Kinema, from mastering the orchestral score. This Regent Street, London, where she played was Bob's true talent and art form , and for many Command Performances . She the composers themselves would have was also the first woman organist to been proud to hear their works played broadcast in England for the BBC at St. with such majesty and feeling. open console parties when other organ­ George's Hall, London, at Hilversum , Following these "workouts," we would ists were in attendance. His favorite ex­ Holland, and in South Africa . usually have lunch together and Bob cuse was , "You must be tired of hearing Miss DeJong was at the BBC in Bristol would share some of his personal views me." He declined the invitation to play during WWII, with her traveling organ, through relating his work experiences in at the 1978 Atlanta Convention saying, playing with Henry Hall in his guest night memorable and amusing stories. He " Let the younger organists get a chance shows. She was also a " phantom " or­ could have written a book about the to play a theatre organ in a real theatre , ganist when Sandy McPherson was events at WSB where he used to play the besides, you must be ..." broadcasting from St. George's Hall, Hammond organ live on radio for com­ Bob was also a church musician and London. She was standing by ready to mercial spots and other programs. To­ served several of the Christian Science be " faded in" should a bomb fall on the day's TV "bloopers" would not begin to Churches in the Atlanta area. He played Hall putting a quick end to the organ pro­ compare with the days of live, "proper " a Cnristmas Concert every year for the gram. The bomb did eventually fall and radio. As Music Librarian/Music Director Methodist Youth and was in constant the "phantom " came on the air. for WSB for many years, and as its sen­ demand as an accompanist for several Florence and her sister , Ena, made ior announcer and early morning voice notable vocalists in Atlanta. For many annual trips to South Africa for many of Merry-Go-Round, he exposed Atlantans years he was the announcer for Rich's years, giving concerts and broadcasts. to the finest in recorded music. Thanksgiving night '' Lighting of The They gave piano and organ recitals using Bob was very self-conscious about Great Tree," and was emcee for the At­ their own Hammond organ. his own playing and wa?, always striving lanta Pops Orchestra Concert series. Bob Florence DeJong's most treasured to improve his performance. He was shy devoted his life to music and was con­ testimonial came from a blind miner in about playing before other organists and tinually giving of his time and energy to Ynyshir, South Wales, who wrote the fol­ would relinquish the chance to play at that end. continued ...

38 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER1990 THEATREORGAN lowing poem upon hearing her play ford Broadway. In the 1930s, Torch be­ Handel's "Largo." came famous for his recordings of such THE ORGANIST DIVINE jazzy pieces as "Hot Dog" and "Dance of The Blue Marionettes ." Subsequent (Dedicated to Miss Florence Dejong) to his job as assistant to the great Quen­ Thou gentle soul, with magic touch , tin Maclean at the Regal, Marble Arch, Who gave thee such a blessing? he took over the giant Christie there from Your master mind ran through your being 1932 to 1934. He then moved to the Re­ While notes , our souls caressing. gal, Edmonton, where several of his re­ As if from heaven, with mighty pow'r, cordings were very successful, including And we this hour in peril. "Twelfth Street Rag" and "Orient Ex­ You cheered our hearts, press,'' with distinctive piano work in the renewed our strength, left hand. To fight and crush all evil. In 1936 he worked for Union Cinemas, May God abide with thee for e'er, opening their new organs and recording And guide thee on they travels, at their flagship, the Regal, Kingston. In That you may soothe our tired souls 1937 he opened the Wurlitzer at Eng­ With strains as from the Angels. land's largest cinema, the Gaumont State, GW'llym Evans, Ynyshir Kilbufn. During WWII Torch served in the RAF and, apart from a few recordings, left the SIDNEY TORCH theatre organ world for good. He became One of England's most popular theatre conductor of the RAF Concert Orchestra, organists, Sidney Torch, passed away and after the war devoted his time to on July 17. He was 82. After leaving the composing, conducting and arranging. field of theatre organ, he created Friday Before joining the BBC radio, he led Night Is Music Night in 195.3,a program the Queen's Hall Light Orchestra for a which is still running on the BBC. time, and wrote ~ncidentalmusic for radio Sidney Torch was born in East London and television shows. Torch retired in in 1908 and served his apprenticeship 1972 and was appointed MBE in 1985. as assistant organist to Archie Parkhurst, His wife, Elizabeth, preceded him in accompanying silent films at the Strat- death last March.

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THEATREORGAN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER1990 • 39