Volume 50, Number 4 December 2014

Official Newsletter of The Rochester Theater Organ Society Inc. Published monthly September through June (exc. Jan.)

Organ-ize Your Holiday Season With Donna Parker

Donna Parker , a native of Los all-American art form into their Angeles, CA began her organ music curriculum. studies at age 7. Four years later In 1996 Donna was named she was introduced to the theatre of the Year by the organ, and at 13 began classical ATOS. She served on the organ instruction with Richard ATOS’s international Board of Di- Purvis, Organist and Master of rectors for 6 years, heading the Choristers Emeritus and Honorary scholarship committee that as- Canon of San Francisco’s famed sisted students studying theatre Grace Cathedral. organ. After a hiatus, she is once Donna made her first recording again serving on the Board as the at 15, was appointed the first Offi- publisher of the cial Organist for the Los Angeles journal--the official publication of Dodgers baseball team, and ATOS, as the Public Relations toured Southern California in con- chair, and as a core faculty mem- cert as a product specialist for ber of the ATOS Summer Youth Conn Organ Company. While in Camp. Donna also manages a high school, she appeared at Uni- Donna Parker limited private teaching and versal Studios, providing holiday Auditorium Theatre coaching schedule as well. 885 E. Main St season entertainment, and com- Besides an active solo concert bined her love of sports and mu- Sunday, December 7 schedule, Donna is a member of sic by serving as Organist for the 2:30 PM Trio con Brio with colleagues Los Angels Sports Arena, playing (Doors open at 1:30 PM) Jonas Nordwall and Martin Ellis, for professional ice hockey and performing in special venues tennis teams. Donna has promoted the across the U.S. that can accom- Donna attended California theatre pipe organ over the modate three instruments for Polytechnic State University at years including TV appearances each performance. Their CD re- Pomona, CA. Subsequently, she on CBS Sunday Morning with cording In the Key of Three has moved to Phoenix, AZ where she Charles Kuralt, PM Magazine, received international acclaim, performed at Organ Stop Pizza. and numerous entertainment and they have just released their This began an association that news spots. She has con- new Tales from the Chambers . would last for many years with ducted master classes nation- Donna has numerous highly ac- restaurants centered around en- ally and abroad, and has claimed recordings to her credit, tertainment on large theatre pipe worked with public school dis- including her latest release, The organs. tricts to incorporate this Lady Elsinore .

Celebrating 50 Years of Theater Organ in Rochester 1964—2014

2 RTOS Blower

Rochester Theater Organ Society A Letter from your President (Founded 1964) PO Box 17114 Rochester, NY 14617 By the time you read this, we will be in full swing Concerts & Info: (585) 234-2295 for the holiday season. It’s a good time to be http://www.rtosonline.org thankful for our blessings, in spite of losses we ————————— MEMBERSHIP CHAIR may have had in the past year. Ken Veneron I am particularly thankful for the gifts of music in 48 N. State St. our community. Our relatively small city is filled Nunda, NY 14517 with many opportunities to hear magnificent pipe (585) 468-1052 organs playing a variety of musical genres. The recent EROI [email protected] Festival sponsored by the Eastman School featured the role of Membership (from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 ) Full: $65.00 music in films. There were many academic papers presented - Associate: (50+ miles from Roch): $45.00 one by our friend Jon Ortloff regarding the Hope-Jones instru- Student (age 18-24 with ID): $35.00 ment (Opus 2) at the First Universalist Church. Silent films were, —————————— of course, featured at several venues including the Eisenhart NEWSLETTER E DITOR Laura Finger Auditorium using our 3/12 . 22 Blue Avocado Ln. My point here is that there is great music in Rochester but Rochester, NY 14623 our 4/23 Wurlitzer at the Auditorium is the best kept secret in the (585) 298-9786 community. You can help raise the secrecy curtain by telling fam- [email protected] ily and friends about your Society and inviting them to a concert. —————————— OPEN C ONSOLE Many will return after having heard that pipe organs can play Martin Ippolito more than just hymns! PO Box 17438 Remember that our next concert features Donna Parker on Rochester, NY 14617 December 7 at 2:30 PM. Also, as noted on page 3, our Annual (585) 266-6337 Meeting will be held at the Auditorium on the 7th at 2 PM immedi- —————————— PROGRAM C HAIR ately preceding Donna’s performance. Please plan to arrive Russ Shaner early and sit in on this important meeting. (585) 266-2854 Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year to all! [email protected] Paul Law Membership News Classifieds Help Wanted by Ken Veneron It is with deep regret that the Free to a new home : Conn Check your mailing label.. Board of Directors has accepted home organ, Deluxe Caprice the resignation of our Secretary, 463 model (2 manual), early If it says "Expired", that means that as of Nov 15th, you Dave Kniese, due to personal American maple finish, com- haven't yet renewed for 2015. and family obligations. Besides plete with a very detailed If your mail label says being a ‘fixture’ at the member- Home Organ Course and mu- "Already Renewed" you are all ship table assisting Ken Ven- sic. Dimensions are 46 1/8" set for 2015. eron, Dave served RTOS as a wide; 35 3/4" high; 23 1/16" Remember, you can renew Director from 2010 - 2013 prior deep. Bench: 27 1/2" wide; 22 either by mail (see my mailing to becoming Secretary in 2014. 5/16" high; 14" deep. Please information in the box above), Dave brought great insight to call Wilda at (585) 594-8036 or or online, or at the membership the board and will be missed. email: smith.momdad@gmail. table at the December concert. We are looking for a new secre- com if interested. Remember, an RTOS tary to complete his term. Could membership would also make that person be you? If inter- Happy Musical Holidays to All ! a great holiday gift for a friend, ested, please contact any RTOS neighbor or relative.!! officer or director.

RTOS Blower 3

January Open Please Come to the January Open Console at the Donnie Rankin Concert RTOS Annual Meeting Auditorium Due to the auditorium being The 2014 RTOS annual meet- With the discontinuation of booked the day before Donnie’s ing will be held at the Auditorium January concerts, and with the Nov. 9th concert, he had limited Theatre on Sunday, December cooperation of our landlords, the practice time and came in early 7th at 2:00 PM , preceding Donna Rochester Broadway Theatre Parker’s concert. Doors will open League, RTOS is able to hold at 1:30 PM. an open console session each The annual meeting is a time year on the ‘big organ’. for members to meet with RTOS Open console time is a ‘perk’ officers and directors to hear how of being an RTOS member and we are doing and to have an op- we encourage you to sign up for portunity to ask questions and a turn at our organs. Even if ’participate’ in the operation of you don’t play well and just want RTOS. Our By- Laws require that to use your time to try out the this meeting be held annually. organ, you are welcome to sign R. Shaner In years past the meeting was up for your ‘15 minutes of fame’ Donnie practices in the darkened theater as Russ adjusts the video well attended and held at the on a first-come first-serve basis. projection setup Sunday morning.. Auditorium preceding concerts or Check out the schedule on page at the Eisenhart or George East- 4 for dates to play the 3/12 at man house, and often included the Eisenhart and if you want to dinner and entertainment. In re- sign up for any of these ses- cent years it has followed the De- sions or the January 11th ses- cember open console session at sion at the Auditorium, call the Eisenhart. Marty Ippolito at (585) 266-6337 Your officers and directors to reserve your slot. urge you to plan to arrive a bit If you want to come and lis- early for the December concert ten to your fellow members you and attend this important club are always welcome. The social function. committee will be on hand with T. McWharf refreshments to make your visit Donnie addresses the RTOS audi- ence between numbers. How about a Bus Trip? more enjoyable. If you come for the January And a good time was had by all! Do you remember the terrific session at the Auditorium bus trips to hear our favorite or- please enter through the stage Check out the RTOS ganists playing on the great thea- door entrance at the rear of the Website! ter organs in other cities? building (next to the picnic ta- RTOS is exploring the possi- ble). See you there. Be sure to visit our website fre- bility of organizing a bus trip this quently for the latest information spring to visit the magnificently about RTOS. You can find us at: restored Clemens Center Theater Make Christmas Shopping easy. www.rtosonline.org or by typing in Elmira to hear David Peckham Give the gift of wholesome family “rtosonline” into your search in concert on the newly refur- entertainment and beautiful mu- sic to your friends and family with engine or by using the barcode bished 4/26 Marr & Colton. The a gift membership or RTOS Theater reader app on your proposed date is Sunday, April Organ CD. Available at the mem- tablet or smart- 12th, 2015. Would you be inter- bership table at the Donna Parker phone to scan this ested? Let us know and look for concert on December 7th. QR symbol. more details in the next Blower .

Paul Law, President Ted McWharf, Vice-President David Kniese, Secretary Ken Veneron, Treasurer David Higgs, Director Richard Neidich , Director Tim Schramm, Director Greg Spring, Director Christine Van Stean, Director Roger Wood, Director Russ Shaner, Past-President, Programs

UPCOMING REGIONAL EVENTS RTOS EVENTS Riviera Theatre & Organ Preservation Society Auditorium Theatre, 885 E. Main St. Ivan Docenko/Dan Kamin - Wed., Dec 3, 7:30 PM ($10) All artists and dates subject to change Holiday Sing A Long Sun. Dec 7, 2:00 PM ($10)

RTOS Annual Meeting Dec 7 2:00PM 67 Webster St, N Tonawanda, NY. Box Office (716) 692-2413. Donna Parker Dec 7 2:30PM Info: www.rivieratheatre.org/organ.html

Open Console Jan 11 11AM-4PM Kingston Theatre Organ Society Scott Smith Feb 15 2:30PM Dave Wickerham- Fri., Nov 28th, 7:30 PM - $25, $20 , $8 Eastman Bunch Mar 8 2:30PM Kingston Korean Church 89 Kirkpatrick St., Kingston, ON, CA Scott Harrison May 10 2:30PM Limited seating. Info/ticketing: http://www.ktos.ca/index.html Ron Rhode Jun 14 2:30PM ******************************************************* Toronto Theatre Organ Society Rochester Museum & Science Center Dave Wickerham- Mon., Dec 1, 7:30 PM - $20 Eisenhart Auditorium, East Ave. & Goodman St. Concerts at: Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto ON, CA Open Console Box Office (416) 492-6262 email: [email protected] Sundays from 11:00 AM to 4 PM Info/ticketing: http://theatreorgans.com/toronto/ Dec 21 Feb 23 Binghamton Theatre Organ Society Mar 23 Apr 27 Jim Ford - Silent Film Festival, Dec 28, 2:00 PM “Open Console” is when members are given a time 236 Washington St, Binghamton, NY. Box Office (716) 692-2413. slot to play one of the Society’s theater pipe organs. Info/ticketing: http://www.binghamtontos.org/ Come to play, or enjoy the sound. Empire State Theatre & Musical Instrument Museum Invite your friends to attend this Juan Cardona, Jr. + Silent Film - Sunday, Dec 14th, 2:30 PM - $15 month's concert by giving them one 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse (315) 687-3580 of the discount coupons below Info: http://www.empiretheatre.org/programs.htm

Pops “Theater Organ” Concert Pops “Theater Organ” Concert

at the Auditorium Theatre , 885 E. Main St, Rochester, NY at the Auditorium Theatre, 885 E. Main St, Rochester, NY Sunday, December 7 @ 2:30PM Sunday, December 7 @ 2:30PM

Donna Parker Donna Parker

On the Mighty Wurlitzer 4/23 Pipe Organ On the Mighty Wurlitzer 4/23 Pipe Organ

Presented by the Rochester Theater Organ Society Presented by the Rochester Theater Organ Society

$10 admission with this coupon (regularly $15) $10 admission with this coupon (regularly $15) Coupon may be copied and is valid for Bearer & Family Coupon may be copied and is valid for Bearer & Family Name: Name: Address: Address: Email: Email:

THIS BOX MUST BE FILLED IN FOR COUPON TO BE VALID! THIS BOX MUST BE FILLED IN FOR COUPON TO BE VALID!