The Organ Spiel

Newsletter for the Sierra Chapter of the American Society

POPS Concert at Ironstone with Martin Ellis April 2010

Saturday, Hazleton. He performed for April 17 About the Artist the Dickinson Theatre Organ Society and Fort Wayne’s Coach leaves the Embassy Theatre when Tom California Auto Martin Ellis holds the dis- was unable to perform and tinction of being the first winner was ready to step in and play Museum of the ATOS Young any of the other member’s (Formerly the Towe) Competition in 1986. After his parts as the understudy. In

initial exposure to theatre organ , Martin became At 10:00AM at the Paramount Music Palace the Senior Staff Pian- in Indianapolis at 7-years old, ist/ for the Indian- Martin began organ studies in the 6th grade, and at 15 apolis Children’s Choir – a touring organization with began studies with John Ferguson. Upon winning the over 2,000 children! Their tours have taken them through ATOS competition, he premiered with Rex Koury at the most major cities in Europe and Canada--including play- Theatre that year and was featured in ing an organ concert on the Tambourini organ at St. Pe-

concert at the ATOS National Convention the following ter’s Basilica in Rome. year in Richmond, Virginia. He became the staff arranger and orchestrator for the

Martin entered DePauw University majoring in key- ICC organization and has many published choral and or- board performance and composition, which would prove chestra arrangements with Hal Leonard and Colla Voce to serve him well in future endeavors. The Central Indi- publishing companies & recently orchestrated 15 pieces ana Chapter of ATOS was extremely supportive, engag- that were performed and recorded with the Moscow ing Martin in performances regionally throughout his Chamber Orchestra and ICC. For seven years, Martin has college years. After winning the local AGO competition, also served as Artistic Assistant/Pianist for the Pacific he was the runner-up in the AGO Region V competition. Rim Children’s Choir Festival in Honolulu, Hawaii. During his senior year, he served as the weekend artist at In 2004, Martin was appointed the Associate Director ’s Piper Music Palace, as an alternate organist of Music and Organist at North United Methodist Church at the Pipes and Pizza in Lansing, Illinois, and performed in Indianapolis. He also became the third permanent concerts in and around the Chicago area. member of the Trio con Brio upon Tom Hazleton’s pass- Martin was invited to be the fourth member of the Trio ing—something Tom, Jonas and Donna agreed upon con Brio by Donna Parker, Jonas Nordwall and Tom when the trio was formed.

Ironstone Vineyards is nestled against the Sierra Foothills, in the heart of California’s scenic Gold Rush Country. Enjoy its beautiful gardens, History Museum and Gift and Jewelry Shoppe. The Organ at Ironstone was originally installed in the Alhambra Theatre in Sacramento in 1927. It went from a Baptist Church in Stockton to Bob Hartzell. John Kautz later bought it for his winery and built the Alhambra Music Room to house it (now a 3/14) and provide banquet space. April 2010 Page 2 ATOS BOARD APPROVES NEGOTIATIONS FOR ARCHIVE RE-LOCATION Six-month Study Produces Recommendation to Begin Discussions

with the University of Oklahoma, American Organ Institute

Representatives of the board were involved in a six-month study, culminating in a six-page document with the recommendation eventually approved by the board. The study involved five locations for the archive, which must find a new home. The current location, in the Rialto Square Theatre building in Joliet, Illinois, will become home to an expanding local college facility, forcing ATOS to move the collection.

The decision to begin negotiations with the University of Oklahoma, was made for one major reason: the Uni- versity, through its American Organ Institute, provided an overwhelming set of advantages unmatched by the other options. These includes:

♦ The advantages of a major research university ♦ Professional library services readily available ♦ Access of students, professors, scholars, ATOS members and the public ♦ The ongoing success and growth of the AOI and the organ program at OU

Allen Miller’s committee will begin negotiations with representatives of the University of Oklahoma as soon as possible with a recommendation to be presented to the board on or before the Annual Meeting at the Seattle convention in late June.

Yamaha E-5 three manual with Hammond style 25 note Pedal- board. Also included is a whole music rack of instructional books as well as the original manual for the organ. Chapter Directory For more information, contact: It’s that time of year again! Hazel Godager at Phone (916) 638-1281

If you have address changes, ei- Some Trivia on the E-5 from theatreorgans.com:

ther snail or e-mail, and/or phone The Model E-5 was a professional home model of the mid 1970s with the fa- changes, please contact mous three-position stop levers and virtually any voice you can imagine. It Terry Clifton at (916) 863-6344 included B-3-type percussion, a Slide control for Hawaiian Guitar and other effects, a Vibraphone that would knock your socks off, and a Portamento bar or e-mail me at for special effects. The Portamento bar can be heard on Lenny Dee’s re- [email protected] cording of Also Sprach Zarathustra, where he simulated radio waves (the base recording was done on the Hammond Concorde).

Chapter Officers

President Treasurer/Web Master Board Member Membership 2nd term expires 1st term expires Dec 2011 1st term expires Dec 2010 Terry Clifton Dec 2011 Dave Sauer Robert Barrett, MD 916/863-6344 Carol Zerbo 916/925-7440 916/962-1988 [email protected] 916/624-9182 E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] Program Director Board Member Newsletter Editors 2nd term expires Dec Vice President/Publicity Craig Peterson Sherry & Terry Clifton 916/682-9699 2010 1st term expires Dec 2010 916/863-6344 E-Mail: [email protected] Marian Galbraith Randy Warwick [email protected] 916/722-0411 661/392-0269 Historian E-Mail: [email protected] Barbara Harris Board Member Organ Technician 916/332-2837 2nd term expires Dec 2011 Dave Moreno Secretary Jim Leach 916/484-7356

916/797-9125 [email protected] 1st term expires Dec 2010 Recording Library Terry Clifton E-Mail: [email protected] Beverly Harris 916/863-6344 916/332-2837 Music Librarian E-mail: Board Member Jim Leach [email protected] 2nd term expires Dec 2011 916/797-9125 Craig Peterson E-Mail: [email protected] 916/682-9699 E-Mail: [email protected]

April 2010 Page 3

President’s perspective —Carol Zerbo

Spring has sprung - along with "Ironstone Presents..." on the most informative and entertain- the trees, flowers, grass and any- 17th. I hope we were able to ac- ing. Since the Convention is on thing else you might be allergic commodate everyone who re- our coast this year, I hope every- to. I never paid much attention quested a ticket. It is always so body will make the extra effort to pollen but this year is differ- beautiful at Ironstone this time to attend and show support for ent. Armed with lozenges and of year. Hopefully, the new for- ATOS' efforts to keep theatre or-

kleenex, I, along with approxi- mat will allow all who wish to gans playing. mately 200 movie-goers enjoyed tour the grounds and "stop and I want to update y'all on "King of Kings", wonderfully smell the roses" time to do so. Barbara Harris's condition. On played by Walt Strony on Fri- February 28, our longtime mem- day, the 19th. Randy Warwick, Allergies notwithstanding. I ber had a stroke which affected our new publicity chairman, sent have had the privilege of hearing her right side. She continues to information on the movie to area Martin Ellis as part of Trio Con make progress at Manor Care churches. here were many new Brio and solo at last year's Hope- near Sunrise and Madison. faces in the audience and ques- ful Heart fundraiser at the San- tions as to when the next silent filippo estate. His arrangements movie is scheduled (Friday, May are refreshing and very entertain- 21st with Chris Elliott). This was ing. You will enjoy this after- truly a group effort to stay ahead noon. of drinks, popcorn requests, ex- traneous sounds from the pipe At every gathering involving chambers, smooth projection, three or more organ enthusiasts, parking lot safety, seating,& the question is always asked - Daughter Beverly says visitors greeting. It was an exhausting "Are you going to the Conven- are welcome. Since her hearing and exciting evening and I was tion?" My answer is "yes" and and speech were affected, con- never more proud to be a part of I'm hearing more and more "me versation is wonderful therapy. Sierra Chapter! Ours has to be too"s. While the list of artists She may be at one of the friendliest, most coop- and venues is impressive, there Manor Care for erative clubs in ATOS. will also be a variety of work- another month, shops presented by technicians so keep her in On the subject of flowers, I'm and performers and, of course, your thoughts. really looking forward to the annual meeting should be Carol Z

MEMBERSHIP NEWS Renewing at the Patron Level: Richard Taylor Renewing at the Sustaining Level:

Steve Restivo

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P.O. Box 2017 Fair Oaks, California 95628

We are on the Web: sierrachapterATOS.org youtube.com/SierraChapterATOS

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR EVENTS

NOR-CAL TOS EVENT Berkeley Community Theatre Ironstone SIERRA CHAPTER EVENT California Auto Museum Vineyards Sunday May 2 2200 Front Street 2:30 PM Murphys, Walt Strony California Friday May 21 7:30 PM $15/General Admis- sion

POPS Concert Silent Film - Stockton Fox Event With Bob Hope Theatre Martin Ellis with 242 E. Main Stockton, CA Saturday April 17th Christian Elliott Friday April 9 6:30PM Coach leaves $10/General $8/Adults Auto Museum $8/Member Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid New Time $5/Students ==> 10:00 A.M. <== $20/Family Street Featuring Tom Thompson On the Mighty Morton The Chapter was organized in 1968 as a not-for-profit corporation under the statutes of the State of California and is recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and Section 23701d of the California Revenue and Taxation Code. It was organized for the purpose of preservation and promotion of the Theatre Pipe Organ and its music. Membership in the local Chapter also encourages membership in the National Organization, American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS.) www.atos.org