Sinister for their delightful con­ tribution of sound equipment, which made our meeting more enjoyable . Dr. Anderson has taken the Laurel and Hardy silent movie "Leave 'em Laughing" and synchronized various pipe organ recordings by Gaylord Carter, Ashley Miller , Lee Erwin and Gus Farney to the motion picture. Of eHAPTERNOTE~ course, this is not live music, but they are pipe organ selections. Dr. Ander­ son spends many hours showing this film with its synchronized music to people who otherwise might never hear the pipe organ sound. This is Dr. ALABAMA Wurlitzer at its best. Jay really knows Anderson's hobby, and he is won­ this instrument and the two of them The Alabama Chapter completed dering if he might have a first in this make a great team. (I heard comments the year 1974 not on one great note, experiment. from some older members of the but two - great programs in No­ Officers elected for the year 197 5 audiences saying that Jay and his are: Calvin Christensen, chairman; vember and December by Alleen Cole music brought to mind the days of Ronald Apgar, vice-president; and and Jay Mitchell and progress in the Randy Sauls and Stanleigh Malotte at Maxine V. Russell, secretary. continuing restoration of the Alabama the Alabama Wurlitzer.) Theatre Wurlitzer. Alleen Cole is the MAXINE V. RUSSELL kind of member every chapter should Officers for 1975 were elected in December and Ray Straits is the new have. She has served the chapter since CEDAR RAPIDS chairman for our chapter. Alleen Cole its organization two years ago as On November 6, 1974 at Cedar is vice-chairman, Dan Liles is secre­ secretary-treasurer and has handled the Rapids, Iowa's Paramount Theatre tary -treasurer and the directors are writing of our Chapter Notes for THE­ another "sold out" theatre audience Geo rge Ferguson, Tom Hatter, Riedel ATRE ORGAN. In November Alleen heard and saw the phenomenal Hector West and Evelyn Jones. Our chapter is had her chance at the Mighty Wurlitzer Olivera perform and demonstrate how continuing to grow in strength and we of the Alabama and she proved herself an organ should be played. From his look forward to a greater year in 1975 more than capable of handling this opening number to the Bach Cantata under Ray's leadership. too. Her selections were mainly from Finale, our artist kept his listeners on the "good old days" but the arrange­ RIEDEL WEST the edge of their seats to get a better ments and varied styles of the music view of his pedal technique and watch made a most listen able program. BEEHIVE his vibrant actions at the console. Alleen also gave us a slide tour of the The Capitol Theatre was the setting Great numbers such as Cry Me A U.S. (from the Cole's tours in their for a meeting of the Beehive Chapter River, Teddy Bears' Picnic, Danny motor coach) with beautiful music to on Sunday, December 15, 1974. Mem­ Boy (what beautiful pedal work), match. We all look forward to hearing bers discussed the sad plight of the Impossible Dream and a wonderful Alleen again soon. Fox Theatre in Atlanta and its pipe medley of Big Band Hits were In December the talent of Jay organ, which seem doomed. We are part of the program. Walter Strony, a Mitchell again left us all breathless. He hoping that something can be done to visiting Chicago Chapter organist, was is a master of the theatre pipe organ save both the organ and the theatre. selected to give Hector the mystery and the program (ranging from boogie We thank Dr. Rulon Anderson, of melody on which to do his improvising to classics) showed off the Alabama the University of Utah, and Mr. Wayne wizardry. The Mickey Mouse theme Jay Mitchell at the 4/ 20 Wurlitzer , Alabama Theatre, Birmingham . Alleen Cole at the Alabama Theatre Wurlitzer providing entertain ­ (Tom Hatter Photo) ment for the chapter 's November meeting . (Tom Hatter Photo/ 54 THEATRE ORGAN FEBRUARY, 1975 was presented in every conceivable with pizza and beer. The Happiness untiring efforts of Ken Double and way. Along with a sing-along and a Inc. singing and dancing group from Roger Whitehead who put these pro­ Harold Lloyd comedy, closing with Kennedy High School then performed grams together. the great Hallelujah Chorus! Some with wonderful numbers. They were Promoting and restoring the glori­ 1945 thrilled organ enthusiasts left the great. Then Sharon and Gayle Balhorn ous era of the mighty theatre pipe theatre realizing that they had at­ gave a nice accordion program of organ is the aim of ATOS, and scarcely tended a once-in-a-lifetime concert. waltzes, polka and old time melodies. a month goes by that we don't fulfill CRATOS did it again. It was num­ The tables were then pulled away and in some way the purpose for which we ber ten at the Paramount, and as we the group finished the evening dancing stand. Recently, three of our members said before, it takes WORKand a lot to recorded music of big bands and were interviewed and taped a one and of it. A million thanks to those who Reginald Dixon playing the Tower a half hour show through Butler Uni­ stood behind our Program Chairman Ballroom organ with his toe-tapping versity's Station WAJC-FM on the Craig Stratemeyer and gave of their rhythms. It was a great evening of subject of theatre pipe organs. Ken time and effort to make this another sociability. Double, majoring in Radio-TV at success. The membership sold a third The Thanksgiving Party was right­ Butler; Bob Cox, an experienced man of the tickets. Pat Leffingwell and fully titled as CRA TOS has every right in recording, having been associated Ruth Kuba co-chaired handling the to be Thankful for a great 197 4. with WSN-FM in Indianapolis for mail order sales as well as ticket sales RAPHAEL SNITIL many years; and Tim Needler, an at the advertised outlets. Jim Oliver excellent and well versed performer of had the Paramount in the greatest CENTRAL INDIANA theatre styling (and also classical, I condition ever and Hector Olivera had Bill Lay's Music Store in India­ might add), put together quite a pro­ nothing but praise for the instrument. napolis was the meeting place for gram. Ken and Tim shared honors in Twenty-five members of Chicago CIC-ATOSin November. Bill is a Conn the performance of a variety of selec­ Chapter of ATOS visited CRATOS­ organ dealer and had set up a Conn tions to demonstrate style tonality, land on October 26 and 27. From the Serenade on a rise in his display and the glamour of the theatre organ moment the bus arrived at the Capitol window to give the effect of a stage. era. Theatre in Davenport at 9:45 a.m., The formal program for the after­ A record 120 members and guests until we waved good-bye to them as noon was presented by Ken Double, attended the Annual Meeting and they headed out from Marion, Iowa at who we affectionately call our "Conn Christmas Party in the lovely home of 4:00 p.m. the following day, a great Artist." Ken, a senior this year at Chairman Tim Needler. The festive group of "organ nuts" from Chicago Butler University (Indianapolis), is of­ Christmas atmosphere was quite evi­ were repaid in a small way for the two ficial organist at the Indianapolis dent as the enormous white flocked great trips the Cedar Rapids Chapter Sports Arena for both the Pacers tree, towering between the two grand had when we went to Chicago. We (Basketball) and Racers (Hockey) pianos at one end of the beautiful hope that everyone was able to sit teams and is also associated with Bill living room, literally said "Merry down and enjoy the organs here in Lay in promoting the Conn organs. Christmas" to each guest as he stepped CRATOS-land. The Davenport group Ken recently presented a program for into the foyer. are to be thanked for the nice wel­ the Rockford, Illinois Club on the A rather lengthy business meeting come and refreshments; Pat Maynard Rockford Theatre 4 manual Barton. was followed by a different and very for his music at the Capitol; the Nice going, Ken! We'll be eyeing your in te re sting program. Recently, Ross Howard Adams' of Aledo, Illinois for future with great interest. and Ruth Kirkpatrick, CIC-ATOSmem­ their hospitality; Bill Hansen who was Our thanks to Bill and Tevis Lay, bers, joined the CATOE group for a the spokesman at the Musser Museum our hosts, for providing the organ and weekend tour of Iowa organ instal­ in Muscatine; Dr. Klein and his wife such a delightful and appropriate lations. Ross arranged a most inter­ for opening their home and the Wur­ setting for another interesting meeting. esting slide and taped program of this litzer at Muscatine with Walter Strony Some interesting things are hap­ trip. He gave an informative and inter­ playing; Dick Beaty for opening the pening in the musical lives of some of esting commentary with the slides, Cedar Rapids Barton; Paul Adams for our members, but one special event, then presented taped music of each a fine program at the Paramount and though initiated and prepared by a organ visited. Some of the organs Doreen Dahms who furnished the few, brought entertainment and a feel­ included were the 2/ 13 Estey Duplex refreshments; and finally and not least ing of accomplishment and pride to Player organ in the Laurin Musser - Howard and Dorothy Burton who all.