Volume 54, Number 7 May 2019 Official Newsletter of The Rochester Theater Organ Society Inc. Clark Wilson Accompanies Harold Lloyd’s The Freshman (1925) Clark Wilson is one of the Stanford Theatre film series, most recognized scorers of the Atlanta premier of the silent photoplays in America restored “Metropolis,” and today. He works exclusively annual presentations at the with the organ in developing Atlanta Fox Theatre and for the accurate and historic musical Los Angeles Philharmonic accompaniments as they were Society at the Walt Disney performed in major picture Concert Hall organ. He is the palaces during the heyday of organist of choice for many the silent film. ATOS silent film presentations, Clark was personally and has scored pictures for influenced by and became Kino International for public close friends with Chicago area DVD release. His organist John Muri, who was performances have received an original master of picture the highest marks from accompaniment and practiced Clark Wilson colleagues and professionals, Auditorium Theatre his art well into the 1980s. His 885 E. Main St. one commenting “the finest (and Wilson’s) historic style Sunday, May 26, 2019 use of a theatre pipe organ that was that of utilizing fine music 2:30 PM I have ever heard.” as a basis for developing a (Doors open 45 min early) Clark has been organ score of musical value. If the conservator and Resident original score is no longer scene years later. Most im- Organist at the Ohio Theatre extant, a new one is prepared portant of all, the film remains for the Columbus Associate for from the organist’s library and the focus and star of the per- the Performing Arts since 1992 is normally transferred to a cue formance. and is responsible for all music sheet – somewhat of a “road Clark began his scoring during the annual classic map” of suggested themes and career in 1980 and has movie series, which also notated screen actions which toured North America with features one or more major keep the organist fully on hundreds of film presenta- silent films each season. In course. The development of tions at schools and universi- addition, he has led courses in themes in serious pictures is ties, performing arts centers, theatre organ styling and silent obtained exclusively in this theatres, film festivals, and film accompaniment at the way, and it must be considered conventions. His work has led Indiana University School of the truest way to properly to performances for UCLA, Music. He has now developed underscore screen action. the Academy of Motion Pic- curriculum and been appointed Nothing is left to chance and ture Arts and Sciences where to the organ faculty at the wholesale improvisation is not he repremiered “Wings” for University of Oklahoma's relied upon. Further, the Paramount Studios’ 100th Organ Department, where he musical style of the time Anniversary, the Chautauqua teaches applied theatre organ remains intact; no attempt is Institution, Cinequest and lessons, silent film scoring, and made to distract from the San Francisco film festivals, the history of the American picture by using themes or the Los Angeles Conservan- theatre organ, the first such styles that entered the musical cy, the Packard Foundation’s (continued on page 2) 2 RTOS Blower Rochester Theater Organ Society Harold Your President Speaks (Founded 1964) Lamb is PO Box 17114 so ex- Rochester, NY 14617 cited Recent ly, we heard a Concerts & Info: (585) 234-2295 about delightful concert by http://www.rtosonline.org going to Justin Stahl. He is a ————————— college great example of the M C that he Ken Veneron younger generat ion has providing enjoyable 48 N. State St. been Nunda, NY 14517 working programs featuring (585) 468-1052 to earn contemporary music. [email protected] spend- This shows how adaptable the theater Membership (from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 ) ing pipe organ can be to changing times Full: $75.00 money, and tastes. Assoc.: (50+ miles from Roch): $55.00 practic- Student (age 18-24 with ID): $45.00 As of late April, we have 375 ing college yells, and learn- —————————— people registered for the 2019 ATOS B E ing a special way of intro- Laura Finger ducing himself that he saw Annual Convention. This represents 22 Blue Avocado Ln. in a movie. When he arrives an excellent response to our p rogram Rochester, NY 14623 at Tate University, he soon planning . Shea’s Buffalo, Rocheste r (585) 298-9786 becomes the target of practi- and Elmira are all strong attracti ons, [email protected] cal jokes and ridicule. With as are the premier perfo rmers we —————————— the help of his one real have engaged. O C friend Peggy, he resolves to Martin Ippolito make every possible effort Our ranks of seasoned organ PO Box 17438 to become popular. technicians has dwindled over the l Rochester, NY 14617 past few years. Some are having (585) 266-6337 di ffic ulty with the long vertical climb to —————————— Clark Wilson the chambe rs and the gymnastics P C (continued from Page 1) Russ Shaner involved in climbing over and under (585) 266-2854 pipe chests in the chambers . Your [email protected] program to exist since 1929. In addition to sever- Board has decided to eng age the professio nal se rvices of David Shopping on Amazon? al articles published in To direct your support to RTOS, Theatre Organ magazine, Peckham of Peckham O rgan type: smile.amazon.com he has recently authored company in Elmira, to tune and to in your web browser and enter an article on film scoring assist and oversee our volunteers in “Rochester Theater Organ Society ” for The American Organ- doing the maintenance that is needed as your charity. ist (AGO). on a regular basis. Obviously, the Do you use Facebook? Clark has been named cos t wi ll be higher than the volunteer Help us publicize RTOS: in numerous Who’s Who labor we have depended on for over Visit our page ( Rochester Theatre and Men of Achievement 55 years , but maintaining our iconic Organ Society ) and ‘Like’ us. editions and was present- Wurlitzer in top condition is essential Post our concert posters on your ed with the ATOS Organ- Facebook page. to continuing RTOS as a first cla ss ist of the Year award in operation. Visit the RTOS website. Find 1998. An acclaimed or- Please remember to renew us at: www.rtosonline.org gan technician and con- your membersh ip. We need to sultant, he has been in- receive your support to keep the volved with over 200 pipe music playing. Hoping to see you organ installations to date Just $1 on May 26th for Clark Wilson as and has earned the ATOS Technician of Merit he accompanies The Freshman. Help RTOS keep the music play- award, the only person to Paul A. Law ing. If everyone drops $1 into a dona- [email protected] tion box at each concert it will pay the receive both ATOS dis- yearly cost for our publications tinctions. 585-755-4144 RTOS Blower 3 Spring Road Trip to Binghamton For Sale by Bob Bower 1904 Stein- I had the opportunity to vis- way upright it fellow pipe organ parts col- piano, good lector Dave Clark on Sunday, condition. April 7. He mentioned when $7000 or we talked that he had a thea- best offer. ter organ concert to attend Contact that afternoon. I looked it up Steve at and found our own Alex (585) 953- Jones playing at the Forum 5942. Theater as part of the Bing- hamton Theater Organ Socie- ty program. So, on Sunday Are You morning, Ken Wilson and I, along with my parents, load- Spring Cleaning? ed up in the truck and were on our way. I met with Dave Do you have closets and Clark and relieved him of shelves filled with old theatre some of his collection. I organ LP records and CDs that asked Dave for a lunch sug- you no longer play? Perhaps gestion and he sent us to you have transferred your fa- Cortese Restaurant, a great was also a significant air leak vorite albums to tape or digit- Italian restaurant with half associated with the swell ized them on the computer, or portions for everything. The shades of the one chamber. have simply tired of them but food was yummy and the However, the organ sounded you just can’t bring yourself to prices were very reasonable. great. In talking to Nancy after- dispense with them. Then it was off to the Fo- wards, she told me there were There is a great opportunity for rum. As we walked in the little problems here and there, you to help these items find door we were immediately but Alex found a way to play new homes and help RTOS at greeted by Alex and Nancy around them and we all got a the same time. During the up- Wildoner. We entered a very fantastic experience. coming convention, RTOS will nice theater and started to Binghamton Theater Organ operate a ‘store’ where we will read about the Robert-Morton Society puts on 4 programs a sell new theatre organ CDs organ. It has 4 keyboards year and focuses on silent along with gently used LPs, and over 1700 pipes, and movies. They bring in a touring CDs, and cassette tapes to at- was originally built in 1922 for artist once a year and rely on tendees, all donated by you. the Denver Theater. The or- grants to get that performer. Please confine your dona- gan was moved to Bing- Alex was that artist this year.