of the Accompaniment manual, celestes availability of the 3-manual 19-rank were grouped on the same stop tab as Kimball ( only 16 ranks of pipes re­ the normal rank, with a master "Celeste main, but all chests are intact) from Off" tab provided for each celeste rank. the Senate Theatre. Joe DuciBella gave Thus, whenever the quintadena, for a slide presentation about the Kimball example, is registered, the quintadena organ and some humorous slides used celeste is also brought on unless the by the famed Preston Sellers at the "Quintadena Celeste OFF" stop is also Senate Theatre. registered. This idea has been used by Two committees were formed at the George Wright and Johnny Seng as business meeting to: 1, find storage ••••••• ••••••• well as several others. space for the organ during the interim As you can well imagine, installing period of removal from the Senate ~ -'A'\...V this large organ in the home, high on a Theatre and its reinstallation, and 2, Ill Ill hill overlooking the Hartford area of find a permanent location for the organ the Connecticut River Valley, was no where it will be available for CA TOE •CHAPTERNEWS• mean feat. Phil, who is an architect, use also. Charles Peterson was chosen devised a scheme for locating the cham­ chairman in charge of finding the stor­ bers in a vault beneath his garage. To age space and Bill Rieger, Clair Bass do this, the concrete garage floor was and Charles Merson will serve on his CONNECTICUT VALLEY removed, the ground excavated twenty committee. Jack Smith was chosen as AUGUST MEETING HELD AT feet, the chamber constructed and the chairman of the committee in charge STOCK HOME - 3/ 31 WURLITZER concrete garage floor ( chamber ceiling) of finding a suitable location for - On Saturday, August 9, 1969, over replaced. The organ speaks into tone CATOE's 'new' organ. Joe DuciBella, 100 members of the Connecticut Valley chutes which blend and direct the sound Alden Stockebrand and Art Todesco Chapter gathered to hear the largest up into the living room. Since the addi­ will serve on Jack's committee. theatre organ in Connecticut . . . Phil tions were planned and acquired during chamber construction, the additional The Chicago Chapter has received and Rosa Stock's magnificent 3/ 31 many messages of congratulations on Wurlitzer. ranks were squeezed in. To describe the chambers as "FULL" is a masterpiece the success of the National Conven­ of understatement, yet everything is tion in July. It appears that our efforts accessible. were enthusiastically received which Besides Phil, Roger Davis, Al Colton makes all the hard work and problems and Mike Foley put in vast amounts of involved seem worthwhile. CATOE time and work on the installation over thanks all those who came to the con­ the past four years, and final balancing vention and for the numerous calls, and tonal finishing and regulation con­ cards and letters sent to the officers. tinues even to the present moment. Mike Foley, who has been honing down the instrument, demonstrated the DELAWARE VALLEY various stops . . . usual and rare . . . On June 10th over 1600 people and improvised on "Climb Every gathered at the Tower Theatre, Upper Mountain" during which he used Darby, Pennsylvania to see and hear FRANK MANION PHOTO various combinations he had demon­ Gaylord "Flickerfingers" Carter. The instrument is the 3/ 19 Wurlitzer strated, winding up with full organ. from the Lynn (Mass.) Paramount to Phil then gave a very informal con­ Gaylord put on his usual top grade which was added 12 ranks from the cert which included many of the tunes performance, including song slides, University Theatre Wurlitzer from which were popular when he played demonstration of silent movie accom­ Cambridge, Mass. The additions were professionally (the New Haven Palace) paniment, medlies of typical theatre not made to add to the size of the while working his way through Yale. organ tunes, and climaxed the event by instrument, but to make it more versa­ Everett Bassett then dug up some of presenting "The Mark of Zorro" with tile by augmenting the soft accompani­ his "oldies" which he continually saves proper organ cueing. mental stops. Such goodies as soft from obscurity. Ev tipped his hat, string celestes, quintadena celeste, flute though, and let out his secret . . . he, This was the first chapter presenta­ celeste, dulciana and dulciana celeste like so many of today's young organ­ tion of a major silent classic. It proved were welcome additions so valuable in ists, picks up his music by listening to to be highly successful; so much so a home or studio installation. Other records ... but not 33-1/ 3's ... '78's! that a return engagement by Carter is desirable ranks include the usual brass Mike Foley returned to close the planned for late October. saxaphone, brass trumpet, English post formal program with some up-tempo Two weeks after the "Zorro" event, horn, and krumet. The organ was "now" music, and showed off the or­ Larry Ferrari appeared in concert at originally installed in the mid-30's, and gan's "Brass." Mike then invited every­ the Tower and further enhanced the incorporated the latest Wurlitzer chest one for a late dip in the pool to cool off. prestige of the chapter as well as him­ and pipework improvements. · - Allen Miller self in playing a thoroughly enjoyable The stoplist, in addition, was modi­ program. Mr. Ferrari is well known in fied to make the organ more adaptable CHICAGO AREA the Delaware Valley as the most active to contemporary orchestral theatre At a special business meeting held organist in the area, making an un­ organ technique by eliminating 16' Tuesday, July 29th, at Kelvyn Park believable number of appearances on stops in the Accompaniment, adding Field House, CA TOE members listen­ both electronic and pipe organs as well tremulants, and expanding unification ed as Bill Rieger, Charles Peterson, as being f ea tu red on WFIL TV Channel on certain stops. With the exception and Joe DuciBella told of the sudden 6 every Sunday morning.

35 theatre organ bombarde HEART OF AMERICA on the Elks Building 4/ 58 Morton tian" by Luigini. Mr. Ayars described following Millie Alexander at the Wil­ this piece as "The type of thing the Kansas City organist, Bob Jones, tern. theatre organ was meant for." His au­ presented a program at the 3/ 8 Wurli One highlight of this jam session was dience was very receptive to this score, for our June meeting at the Russell a fast "Dizzy Fingers" by 13-year-old and they gave a good, long round of Stover Auditorium here. As organist Donna Parker, who proved that the applause for his excellent job of pre­ at both the 4/ 20 Robert Morton in the beast can indeed follow fast playing. senting it. Midland Theatre and 3/15 Wurlitzer Attendance at the last several club A medley of dream songs preceded in the Newman Theatre, in addition Sunday morning concerts has picked up Lowell's two vocal selections for the to many years of radio and television sharply. Our attempts to bring theatre evening. "Something to Remember You appearances, Bob is well known in this pipe organ to electronic organ-oriented By" and ".Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" area. Stover seats only about 250 but people, and to the general public, ap­ won high approval from the listeners. we had 'em standing in the aisles. pear to be successful. On Sept. 9 the (Perhaps Mr. Ayars' cultured voice is We thank John Haskins, music editor club presented the fabulous and world­ the reason why Chairman Randy Piaz­ of the Kansas City Star ( our only ma­ famous Don Baker in a formal evening za introduced him as "The Bing Crosby jor newspaper) for printing an an­ concert at the Wiltern. See review on of the Wurlitzer circuit.") nouncement of our program. page 38 in this issue. A sing-along and silent comedy fol­ We are mighty proud of Bob Jones The member playing plan for the lowed by a tribute to the late Judy and grateful to him for an excellent Elks Building 4/ 58 Morton is continu­ Garland and several songs that were program. ing under the able coordination of Bob something old, new, borrowed, and blue -J. Randall Charles and Ruth Stratton. Other clubs might closed a couple of hours of entertain­ LAND O'LAKES consider a similar plan. The charge is ment that were performed with original $3.00 per month for 2 hours _ playing styling. Our thanks to all who have helped time, with additional time at 2V2 cents Lowell Ayars is a favorite of the with the sale of Gordon Krist's record per minute. The money goes to the Niagara Frontier Chapter and of the "Just For The Fun Of It", in particular, building and organ owners. The plan many people who come to our con­ our officers and staff at the National not only enables members to practice certs, and it seems that he becomes level. Their interest and support for and play a giant theatre organ in an more popular with each passing year. a chapter project is most gratifying. auditorium, but also keeps its non­ We all know why, after this excellent Having had the opportunity of working organ-fan owners interested because of performance. with them-Betty and Al Mason, Vi the financial remuneration. Club mem­ Things have really been humming and George Thompson, Dewey Cagle, b~rs are looking forward to hearing for the Frontiersmen since returning Don Lockwood and Stu Green - we one of Australia's foremost theatre or­ from that great Chicago convention. Land O'Laker's have a deeper appreci­ ganists, Tony Fenelon, at the Wiltern Buffalo's own theatre organist, Art ation of their efforts on behalf of on October 12. A general membership Melgier, was presented in concert at ATOS. business meeting is scheduled for Oct. the Riviera's 3/ 11 Wurlitzer on July Gordon Krist wishes to express his 3. A special event is now being plan­ 23 as a benefit to raise funds for the thanks for the many kind notes and ned for November, with our Annual North Tonawanda Chapter of the good wishes received. Gordon's health Meeting and Election of Officers in American Field Service. is slowly improving. early December. Progress on the San The capacity crowd audience was We are still a long way from having Gabriel Civic Auditorium 3/ 16 Wur­ taken down memory lane with lots of completed the sale of the records. A litzer installation has been steady, with happy tunes that were well received. change of address in placing orders is completion anticipated to be shortly Mr. Melgier's first portion of the necessary because of a company trans­ after the first of the year. Many club program was "Girls I Knew in the fer. Please mail orders to: members attended The Home Organ Twenties". The organist played more Land O'Lakes Chapter, ATOS Festival at Hober gs resort in Northern than a dozen songs with girls' names in 3213 Windgate Road California in the latter part of Septem­ the titles, including "Chloe" (but Stu St. Paul, Mn. 55119 ber. They renewed acquaintances with Green was nowhere to be seen). Orders mailed to the address listed N orCal and Sierra Chapter members in our ad in the August issue of Theatre and with many other Bay Area organ Organ will, of course, be processed but fans. The newly opened "Pipe 'n Pizza" please excuse a short delay. restaurant in the .San Fernando Valley, Our thanks also go to those who with its 2/ 10 Wurlitzer, has become a have expressed their enjoyment of mecca for club members. listening to the record. We knew you - Ray Bonner, Chairman would like it! - Irene M. Blegen, Secretary NIAGARA FRONTIER A successful return by The Singing Organist, Lowell Ayars, proved that LOS ANGELES audiences don't tire with the annual ap­ Our "fall" round of activities com­ pearance of a star. There was a stand­ menced early, on August 17, when we ing room crowd at our June monthly joined the local AGO Chapter for an Chapter concert in North Tonawanda's organ crawl to hear 4 concerts by 4 Riviera Theatre. different artists on 4 different organs, Mr. Ayars' program was composed all 3- or 4-manual instruments. This of a great variety of showtunes from was the third joint organ crawl, and LA the Twenties including "Showboat," Theatre. ATOS participants outnumbered the which was beautifully done. Next was a group of selections from AGO by about 2 to 1. In the afternoon A change of pace came about when musicals which covered a variety of of August 24, a jam session was held the organist performed "Ballet Egyp- moods. Following our sing-along and october 1969 36 intermission was a historical-comical and Shirley Cole, sang a song especially held at the Virginia Theatre. The para­ silent flick starring Rex Archer. for Frank Guzzetta thanking him for graph on his performance, which was Closing the memory-filled evening his generosity, and for just being such outstanding, was accidentally left out Art Melgier played a series of tunes a nice fellow. of the newsletter. Doug handled the associated with famous people includ­ He was deeply touched by all this Grande Barton with ease as he played ing "My Man" for Fanny Brice and and said, "This is certainly the biggest hit tunes of the present and past. One "Mammy" for Jolson. surprise of my life. I don't know what of Doug's greatest crowd pleasers is The evening's repertoire was enthu­ to say, except thank you." having people call out the year of their siastically applauded by his listeners, -Shirley Cole birth and he plays the hit songs of that and Melgier took down the console year. We all look forward to his play­ after a five-tune Gershwin encore. NORTH TEXAS ing another concert in the near future. On August 3, the annual Chapter The August meeting of the North Among those attending the National picnic took place at the Thomas Studio Texas Chapter of the A TO.S was held Meeting in Chicago in July were mem­ in Lancaster, N. Y. We were very August 23, 1969 in the home of Mr. bers Woody Wise, Sherman Hjort, happy to have ATOS National Presi­ and Mrs. Dale Flannery in Garland, Frank Early, Ray Gingell, Dick Kline, dent Al Mason, who is a member of Texas. Tommy Landrum, Marvin Lautzen­ this Chapter, and his wife Betty present A short business meeting was held heiser, Richard Neidich, Bob St. John, at this event. The Board of Directors in which John Beck was re-elected Barry Washington, Erwin Young, and meeting took place at the beginning of President; Dale Flannery, Vice Presi­ Dow, Edith, and Nancy Evelyn. Also, the picnic. dent; Doxie Jackson, Secretary. John our own Eddie Weaver was featured as The 3/7 Wurlitzer-Marr & Colton Beck led a discussion of the path the one of the concert artists. A vote of organ in the Studio was given a real Chapter should follow in the corning praise is due CATOE Chairman Bill workout by many people that day, two year and in the future. Benedict and his many assistants for a of whom were John Muri and Luella After the business meeting, we were well run convention. Wickham. A jam session was in prog­ entertained by Dale Flannery at his Our thanks to Chapter member Dick ress all afternoon, following which "new" 3/15 Wicks theatre pipe organ. Kline, out-going National vice presi­ Harvey Elsaesser played for a sing­ Following Dale's beautiful selections, dent, for his many seasons of service along; and Art Melgier accompanied a we were entertained by many of the to ATOE. silent comedy. Mrs. Edna Elsaesser was members of the chapter. Ray Brubacher, our editor of the accompanied by her husband as she New members which we welcome to Potomac Valley Chapter Newsletter, beautifully sang a selection from "My the North Texas Chapter are: Mr. and has informed this office that due to Mrs. James McGill, Mr. and Mrs. E. many pressing business matters and F. Desmond and Ralph McNelly. heavy teaching schedule, he must resign Our next meeting will be held in the as editor of the Newsletter. He will re­ home of Jack and Lorraine Hendrick­ main on the national ATOE staff as son in Colleyville, Texas. associate editor, however. Our sincere -Pat Kohl thanks to Ray for his past service to NORTHERN CALIFORNIA the chapter. In June, Helen Dell treated - the PUGET SOUND chapter to a fine program at the Ave­ Approximately 75 members and nue Theatre (Wurlitzer-ex State Lake friends journeyed to Tacoma on Aug­ 3/ 13) in San Francisco. The event was ust 24th to enjoy a concert on the well attended and the organist treated the audience to a well balanced, ear Liberty Theatre Organ which is now pleasing program. installed in the gymnasium at Pacific August 16th found the chapter gath­ Lutheran University. This organ was Chairman Randy Piazza, Frank Guzzetta and ered at the Golden Gate Penthouse originally installed in the Liberty Mrs. Guzzetta at testimonial dinner. Note plaque Theatre, San Francisco, to hear the new Theatre in .Seattle. The concert was and book. 3-manual Conn organ installed by given by George Martin of Tacoma, Fair Lady". Slides from the Chicago John Nelson, sales representative for a member of the chapter. A dinner­ convention were shown, and everyone Conn, especially for this event. Six business meeting was held before the had a grand time. organists were heard at the morning concert. Reports were given and the A "surprise" testimonial dinner hon­ concert, including John Nelson, Tiny most important was concerning the in­ oring Mr. Frank Guzzetta, manager of J arnes, Stan Koyama ( age 17), Bud stallation of our organ at Haller Lake the Riviera Theatre, occurred on Iverson, Harry Weeks and Van Welch. Improvement Club. The chambers have August 11. The NF Board of Directors The instrument sounded magnificent been enlarged, a crew undercoated and felt that a ceremony of this type would and with six distinctive styles of play­ enameled the inside of the chambers, express the Chapter's appreciation for ing being presented it showed good the shutters, air lines and cables are in his kindness and generosity in helping versatility. place, chests in with connections to the us present our monthly concerts. Friday night is "Old Movie" night at air lines and blown out. The xylo, Chairman Randy Piazza presented the A venue Theatre with early talkies glock and orchestra bells are mounted Mr. Guzzetta with a gilt-engraved sig­ and silent features being programmed. on movable stands so they may be nature book and a pen-holder which is The Wurlitzer plays an important part moved out of the chambers when play­ a replica of the one owned by Darryl in these programs and public enthu­ ed and the wiring is progressing and Zanuck, President of 20th Century Fox siasm is increasing weekly. things are looking good. Crews work Pictures. each week-end and evenings when the Organ music after dinner was fur­ POTOMAC VALLEY clubhouse is available to make ready nished by Art Melgier and others on Our sincere apologies are in order for the big day when we have open an electronic organ. Those lyricists you to Doug Bailey for not reporting · his house and invite the members of the heard at the convention, Sandy Ellis concert at our May chapter meeting Club to join us for a view of the pro-

37 theatre organ bombarde ject. The Haller Lake Improvement Club has decorated the entire room DONBAKER'S PIPING THRILLS ANGELENOS and the ladies have dyed the drapes to match. We are almost ready to bring by Peg Nielsen the console in and hook it up. A cover Los Angeles - Don Baker's concerts department. We approached the theatre was designed to fit the console with on pipes are altogether too rare ( they with some apprehension because we the front folding back to give access might be non-existent but for the liber­ recalled how the heat-detuned Kimball to just the key desk. It can be taken al attitude on Don's boss, the Conn had attempted to throw a hard-riding apart and removed when a concert is Organ Co., which doesn't mind having Millie Alexander only two weeks previ­ to be given. Genny Whitting has un­ its products associated with pipe ously. But, to the great credit of Ross dertaken the job of finishing the cover sounds) . Not long ago, Shirley Cole, Farmer and his organ maintenance to match the decor of the room. The reporting in Niagara Frontier Chap­ stalwarts, the beast had been tamed; crews have been sufficiently fed by ter's "Silent Newsreel," told of Don's rarely had it sounded better. Betty Chang and Virginia Lawrence. recent appearance at the North Tona­ Don Baker has a way of mastering We all are looking forward to the day wanda Riviera theatre's 3/ 11 Wurlitzer an unfamiliar instrument which gives when we hear our organ play for the in terms which correctly avoided the the impression he has played it all his first time. use of superlatives. I doubt that we can life; from the start he was completely - Virginia Lawrence, Secretary be as well-disciplined as Miss Cole be- at home before the huge horseshoe of ST. LOUIS the 4/ 3 7. His announcements were brief and they were usually tailored to St. Louis Chapter had 9 members underline the music. Much of the pro­ at the convention. All agree that for gram consisted of Don's "standards," overall quality and variety this was the intricate and compelling arrangements best convention yet! of evergreen selections with which Don Meeting attendance has been increas­ has thrilled audiences from New York ing steadily when we have announced Paramount days to the present, and articles for the programs. The largest whatever he played turned into the kind group was about 120 at our May Mid­ nite meeting at the Fox. Stan Kann, of magic of which Don Baker is the John Ferguson, and Dale Zieger were sole dispenser. the official organists of the evening. After a rousing encore ("Buckle Stan opened the program with the con­ Down Wynsocki"), Don held court in sole DESCENDING from stage level the huge Wiltern lobby, pumping to almost hidden in the pit. This is hands, greeting old friends, making where most of the broken cable ends new ones, exchanging small talk, auto­ meet and most of the stops work. Many IN THE SPOTLIGHT - Don's highly polished and graphing records (he has a new Con­ ornate arrangements were "naturals" for t

GaylordCarter Originals ATOSINVITED TOATTEND 1971 AGO CONVENTION INHAWAII Published All ATOS members are invited to attend the 1971 American Guild of Organists Regional Convention in Honolulu, July 2-8. According to Tom A series of original organ composi­ tions by famed organist Gaylord Norman, chairman of the '71 Convention, the 4/ 16 Robert Morton in the Carter are being made available in Waikiki Theatre has been totally restored and will be part of the convention sheet music form. The first, "NOC­ activities. In addition, the 4/ 16 Robert Morton from the Princess Theatre TURNE", is a tranquilly beautiful has been removed and will be installed in the Hawaii Theatre hopefully in classical composition in the key of time for the July meeting. D-flat and not difficult. The second composition in the series is Car­ Gaylord Carter has accepted a playing engagement so there should be ter's great novelty "DUNCE DANCE" much theatre organ music along with the classical programs. - four pages of fast and spritely For those who really love theatre organ, there will be time to attend sparkle in the key of G - a cutie ! both the AGO meeting and the ATOS Convention, currently scheduled for "NOCTURNE" sells for $1.00; "DUNCE DANCE" for $1.50. At the the following week in Seattle, Washington. present time, copies may be or­ Information on the Honolulu convention may be obtained from: Tom dered only direct from the pub­ Norman, P.O. Box 8688, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815. lisher and sole distributor: JACK The more ATOS members that are interested, the more theatre organ LOREN ORGAN STUDIOS, Post Office Box 1356, Beverly Hills, music could be put on the schedule so let Tom Norman know if you are California 90213. interested as soon as possible.

october 1969 38