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************************************************************************************************************** Newsletter of the NORCAL SOCIETY BERKELEY COMMUNITY THEATRE www.norcaltos.org PO Box 625, Berkeley, CA 94701-0625 510/644-2707 Allston Way betw’n Milvia St & MLK, Jr Way October 2012

It’s Party Time

COME TO THE NORCAL STAGE DOOR SOCIAL

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH Anytime between 1 and 5 PM at the BCT q e SEE — the remodeled BCTq e WATCH — a great Slide Show, starts about 2 PM LISTEN — to play back of Concerts BUY — CDs, Donated Records, and a Large, Color Console Poster ENJOY — Refreshments while you visit• VISIT — NorCal Friends

The slide show is about the Toledo Paramount Organ The slides are from Virgil Howard, the last at the Toledo Paramount.

NorCal Theatre Organ Society (NorCal TOS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Federal Employer Identification Number 23-7415947  State CharitableTrust No. CT 45966  State Organization Number D-0726636 CHAIRMAN VICE CHAIRMAN SECRETARY TREASURER/ MEMBERSHIP EDITOR PROGRAM PUBLISHER William L. Coale Judson H. Owens Arthur Woodworth Neal R. Wood Janice La Fetra Gordon A. Pratt Frank La Fetra 11740 San Pablo Av Apt 306 1730 Virginia St. 600 Coventry Road 523 Corbett Avenue 32500 Cristo Rey Dr #521F PO Box 275 32500 Cristo Rey Dr #521F El Cerrito.CA 94530 Berkeley, CA 94703 Kensington, CA 94707 San Francisco, CA 94114 Cupertino, CA 95014 San Lorenzo, CA 94580 Cupertino, CA 95014 510/778-9117 510/848-8714 510/524-7452 415/861-7082 650/968-2091 510/504-4780 650/968-2091 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] When emailing, include ATOS or NorCal in the subject line. Otherwise, if you are unknown to the recipient’s computer, its SPAM filter may divert your mail. NorCal TOS Picnic at Two Radio / TV Themes Bert and Ann Atwood’s The Love Nest (Bu r n s & Al l e n ) overlooking Konocti Bay (music Louis Hirsch; lyrics Otto Harbach) You (Ar t Li n k l e t t e r ’s Ho u s e Pa r t y ) on Clearlake (music Walter Donaldson; lyrics Harold Adamson)

Three Songs by George Gershwin S’Wonderful He Loves and She Loves Someone to Watch over Me

Music by Bronislaw Kaper San Francisco

q e q e

David Hegarty at GIGI, Bert Atwood’s Allen GW-4

he picnic at Bert & Ann Atwood's on Art Woodworth’s Notes on Bill Langford TSeptember 30th was wonderful! Gigi, Bill Langford (he let his age slip – 84) Burt's GW-IV Allen Organ, was better than Three Songs by Irving Berlin played delightfully after most of the at- ever, showing off the ongoing loving care Say It with Music tendees had left. Robert (Woodworth) and and increased capabilities shown by Bert and Always I are so-o-o glad we hung around for this. his crew of Bert Robinson, Bill Schlotter, Top Hat, White Tie and Tails Bill started on one manual, eventually two, Chris Nichols, Elbert Dawson, Neil Wood then he started hand registering, and finally and Tom DeLay. Music by Albert W. Ketelbey used three manuals. He played from about After and during an informal Open Con- In a Monastery Garden 5:30 to 7:00 PM. It was not long before he sole, the 30 or so people there continued to got into the old swing. He played dozens of listen, have their picnic lunch, and enjoy Selections from Love Me Tonight great numbers, including the best Old Man conversations. Rogers & Hammerstein River I think I have ever heard – not strident For the concert itself, David Hegarty was Isn’t It Romantic or preachy. A long and very thoughtful Ever- obviously familiar with Gigi and together Mimi green. Some of Warsaw Concerto. (He was they gave a concert the audience will long Lover using the grand piano as well as the Allen remember. by now.) The Full Moon and Empty Arms Open console continued after the concert, Three Movie Themes by Erich Korngold theme from either Rachmaninoff’s 1st or 2nd with many people playing. Bill Langford, Devotion piano concerto (whichever). well known retired theatre organ artist par Escape Me Never: Love for Love This was about the time the moon came excellence lives nearby. He ultimately Kings Row up over the lake. played an outstanding set. Unfortunately most of the audience missed this as he did Music by Jerome Kern not start until 5 PM. [See Art Woodworth's How’d You Like to Spoon with Me note on this.] All the Things You Are I Won’t Dance The weather was perfect, as was the setting Long Ago and Far Away on Clear Lake, and the warm hospitality You Couldn’t be Cuter shown by the Atwood's put a finishing touch The Song Is You on a perfect day. Thank you, Bert & Ann! Music by Victor Young Around the World (arr. John Gart) David Hegarty’s Playlist Scherzo (John Gart) A wonderful set. We all paid rapt atten- Selections from Gigi (Lerner and Loewe) Songs of Paris tion. (David appeared to be paying very Gigi Paris Oui! Oui! (David Rose) close attention.) A second truly magic hour The Night They Invented Champagne La Vie en Rose (R.S Louiguy) and a half a music on the same day! Thank Heaven For Little Girls Mademoiselle de Paree (Paul Durand) AND THANK YOU, BERT AND ANN!! — Art Woodworth Page Two Windsheet October 2012 SIERRA Chapter Atos and A FINAL NOTE GRANT UNION HS Alums & Chris Gorsuch & Present June 18, 1954 - October 17, 2012 EDITOR’s n the 15th Annual George Wright Y h Memorial Concert From- Chris Nichols x h Martin Ellis at the Mighty The note below was posted to the list. Jan La Fetra Grant Union High School Chris was a talented and delightful person. hris Gorsuch was one of the most 1400 Grand Avenue, Sacramento, CA I got to know him some through his work at Ctalented and loved Theatre Organ Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 2 PM Berkeley. He was a great artist and a great Artists. He play three concerts at the BCT General $12, Grant Alumni/Sierra Chapter technician. He also was known for arranging over the years and was a favorite of NorCal $10, Students FREE and for his work in electronic relays. He will Members with his expressive feeling, Box Office opens at 1:00 p.m. be missed by so many. particularly shown in Big Band Era music as well as Classical Jazz and music from From- Jelani Eddington the1920 and 1930’s. his annual concert, sponsored jointly It is with a heavy heart that I report the No greater appreciation can be given a Tby Grant Alumni and Sierra Chapter passing of our long-time and dear friend person than that by his fellow artists, so to has become one of the Bay Area’s premier and colleague, Chris Gorsuch, who, after the left are three short ones I know about. events. courageously battling cancer, passed away peacefully in his sleep just before midnight t honors the legendary Theatre Organist on October 17th. As you all know, Chris IGeorge Wright, who attended Grant earned widespread admiration as a brilliant Union High School and got his start there. organist, arranger, and technician. In 2008, NEW MEMBERS he received the honor of the American The concert is also well known for the Theatre Organ Society’s Organist of the Year. Jordan Zeno Smith excellent artists who are featured each year. Those of us who had the great honor of Alameda, CA This year, Martin Ellis, follows in that knowing him will always remember his Bernice You tradition. gregarious, fun-loving, outgoing nature and [Both were introduced to NorCal by will deeply miss his friendship. Michael Tomars] Ellis was the winner of the first ATOS A private memorial service will be held Young Competition in 1986 and shortly for family and close friends. Chris was a featured artist in the 1987 ATOS has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations DONATIONS Convention. be made in his name to the Theatre Organ NorCalTOS thanks these members. Society of San Diego at the following address: From there his career has taken off; and Theatre Organ Society of San Diego Mr. John W. Elliott he is well known throughout the world for (TOSSD) Mr. Henry L. Hansen his abilities on Theatre Organs, as well ATTN: Connie Reardon, President Mr. and Mrs. H. K. McCluer as on Classical Organs. He is featured in P.O. Box 712336 symphony concerts; and has maintained his Santee, CA 92072 playing in churches, as he has moved about the country. Moreover, he was the Senior From- Walt Strony Staff Pianist/Organist for the RIP - Chris Gorsuch, who passed away last MEMBERS LOBBY Children’s Choir, a touring organization night after a short, but courageous battle with with more than 2,000 children. cancer. January 18, 1954 - October 17, 2012. ONLINE Chris was one of the “good guys” and one Throughout the years he has continued of my first colleague/friends in the world or NorCal members only, there is now a his love of Theatre Organs, acting as Staff of the theatre organ. We both came on the Flink on our website home page, near the Organist for various Pizza Parlors, and “scene” at about the same time. We happily bottom, to the new Members Lobby. was invited to become a fourth member of worked together on several early projects the Trio con Brio by Donna Parker, Tom and I will always be indebted to him for his A password is required in order to view Hazleton, and Jonas Nordwall. He became never ending help over the years. any of the Members Lobby. If you do not a permanent member after Hazleton’s My heart is out to his family and caregivers know the password and you are a paid (or death. that were there for him in his difficult final honorary) member of NorCal, contact the days, especially Jelani Eddington, Lyn Membership Secretary, Neal Wood. Locally, Ellis was last heard at the 2010 Larsen and Russ Peck. To have such Pops Concert at Ironstone Vineyards. friends that would go to the end of the earth is testimony to what a wonderful man Chris was. This is definitely a concert not to be missed!

October 2012 Windsheet Page Three UPCOMING EVENTS Board Nominations OPEN November 2, 2012 7:30 PM hairman Bill Coale has appointed the Stanford Theatre, 3/21 Wurlitzer, Cfollowing Active Members* to the CONSOLE 221 University Ave., Palo Alto, CA Nominating Committee to find qualified The Phantom of the (1925) candidates to run for the NorCal Board: Hosted by Silent film withDennis James Don Ravey 650-573-8027 Bill Theobald 510-848-9860 Chris Nichols StanfordTheatre.org Dick Taylor 650-344-0145 his is an opportunity for NorCal NorCal Presents: (*Active Members are those with current Tmembers to try their hand at playing November 4, 2012 Memberships to NorCal and ATOS.) the chapter’s Wurlitzer at the Berkeley Stage Door Social 1 - 5 PM Community Theatre. When the theatre is (see Page One) In addition, any Active NorCal member may available, these sessions run from 1:00 to nominate other Active NorCal members 5:00 PM. The next scheduled dates are SierraChapter ATOS presents: after assuring that they are willing to serve. SUNDAYS George Wright Memorial Concert Such nominations must be submitted to the November 18th, December 9th, November 11th 2 PM Martin Ellis, Grant nominating committee in writing no later plus a tentative date, January 13th Union H S, Sacramento than November 15th, and must include Open Consoles are informal and our (see Page Three) the nominee’s consent to serve, if elected genial host, Chris Nichols, ensures that and must include the signatures of at least every NorCal member feels comfortable. Open Console at BCT two active members besides that of the Chris lends help and support to anyone Sundays: November 18, December 9, and nominee. who needs it. Depending on how many (Tentative date) January 13, 2013 members are present, each has one or (see Column Left) Our Board of Directors consists of nine more 15-minute sessions at the console, in norcaltos.org members, three of whom are elected each rotation. year for a term of three years. A director Los Angeles may be re-elected one time without a gap of mportant: Call the NorCal voice mail Sunday, December 2, 2012 - 2:30 PM at least one term. Members whose terms are at (510) 644-2707 on that Sunday Nathan Avakian on the recently restored up are: Imorning to confirm that the theatre is theatre pipe organ in Santa Monica High available. If there will be Open Console, School’s Barnum Hall. Bill Coale (eligible for re-election), enter via the backstage door at 1930 Allston www.latos.org Art Woodworth (eligible for re-election), Way. and Gordon Pratt (not eligible for re- election). OTHER VENUES [Editor’s note: For details check the websites listed]. n accordance with our By-laws the NORCAL WEBSITE Inominating committee will propose a Castro Theatre, 4/22 Wurlitzer, slate of candidates for election to the board, 429 Castro St. SF, CA. Intermission after assuring that those nominated are e now have copies of the current and music played daily by David Hegarty, willing to serve in that capacity. The names Wrecent past Windsheets on our web Warren Lubich, Mark Putterbaugh of all qualified nominees are passed to the site—and in color! They are in .pdf format, or Harry Garland. (425) 621-6120. st Secretary by December 1 . If the number of which requires that your computer has a CastroTheatre.com names match the number of vacancies, an copy of the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. election is not required. If there are more Grand Lake Theatre, 3/18 Wurlitzer, 3200 nominees than vacancies, the Secretary We also have an up-to-date Calendar Events Grand Ave., Oakland, CA. Intermission prepares and sends out ballots before online, and under the Recordings page is the music: Warren Lubich or Gordon Pratt December 15th. Ballots when needed, are latest CD by Jonas Nordwall. (Fridays) & Kevin King (Saturdays). (510) counted at the Annual Member’s Meeting. Be sure to visit our website! 452-3556. norcaltos.org RenaissanceRialto.com

Palace of the Legion of Honor, 4/63 E.M. NorCal BOARD MINUTES Skinner, Lincoln Park, San Francisco Presidio. Saturdays and Sundays from 4:00 very NorCal member is entitled to request to 4:45 PM. Free after museum admission. Ecopies of the Minutes of meetings of the David Hegarty plays an Organ Pops NorCal Board of Directors, which meets 6 Concert on the first full weekend of each times a year. Send requests to the Secretary; month; other artists play classical concerts his email address and telephone number is at other weekends. (415) 750-3600. the bottom of Page One. LegionOfHonor.org Page Four Windsheet October 2012