beautifully balanced percussions on any Wurlitzer installation anywhere. If the Rawle living room lacks reverb - and it does - Len has balanced ranks so skillfully that the full organ sound is richly satisfying without any painful hoots or shrieks. Having heard Len play both Rawle Wurlitz­ ers I can only say that each has its unique beauty and integrity, and eHAPTERNOTE~ both are far and away the best home installations I've ever heard. When you go to the Convention in London try to hear at least one of them if you possibly can. I returned to the States convinced Whitmire and Linda Whitmire was that the London ATOS Convention Let us know what's featured. It was an informal meeting would be the event of a lifetime. It happening in YOUR Chapter/ that most thought was the best in will be well worth the little extra ef­ Send Photos and News to: some time. fort on our part. As the year 1980 progresses, mem­ GEORGE THOMPSON Cordially, P.O . BOX 1314 bers are looking forward with great Walter J. Beau pre SALINAS . CALIFORNIA 93902 anticipation to the upcoming spring Kingston, RI concert in April, which will present Deadlines Walt Strony to the people of Ala­ Jan . 1st . for Feb ./ Mar . bama for the first time. Walt has Gentlemen: Mar.1st . for Apr ./ May said he likes to use the pizzicato for In regard to the erroneous infor­ May 1st . for June / July mation printed in the Dairyland July 1st . for Aug ./ Sept . special effects and the crew is dili­ Chapter News in the Dec./Jan. THE­ Sept . 1st . for Oct ./ Nov . gently working to have it in opera­ ATRE ORGAN concerning the Nov . 1st . for Dec ./ Jan . tion before the April concert. This Kimball Theatre Organ Society (of will be the first time the unit has Milwaukee), we would like to set the worked since before 1968. record straight. Aside from the normal mainte­ ALABAMA The Centre (formerly Warner) nance work on "Big Bertha," the Kimball in question is a 3-manual, After a long lapse in reporting, the crew has made several trips to the 28-rank instrument being restored to correspondent is back in business. home of member George Ferguson original condition by a team of dedi­ Last year was one of our best years to assist in the completion of his pipe cated and capable buffs, both pro­ yet, as far as concerts, group activi­ installation. A few more trips and fessional and nonprofessional, for ties and membership are concerned. the organ will be in full operation. eventual installation in the Oriental The Dennis James concert in April The chapter's Slide Spectacular, Landmark Theatre of Milwaukee, and the Tom Helms concert in Octo­ telling about the Alabama Theatre, which originally housed a 3-manual ber were both great successes, par­ the Wurlitzer and the activities of Barton. The Kimball, when install­ ticularly because more and more the chapter, is still in great demand. ed, will be enlarged by two ranks and people are now taking a greater Last month it was presented to the a 32' pedal extension. Also, a new interest in the Alabama Theatre and Teachers' Association and this solid-state relay wi11 be included in its beautiful Wurlitzer organ. month will be presented to the Re­ the rework for expanded versatility. The chapter met at the Alabama tired Teachers' Association. The The Kimba11 Theatre Organ Soci­ Theatre on January 13th to hear program is being revised somewhat ety is an independent organization chapter member Dr. Cecil Prescott this year to bring it up to date and to and has no affiliation with the Dairy­ at "Big Bertha." To make his pro­ replace some of the slides that have land Chapter of ATOS, although gram even more delightful, his daugh­ become worn from much use. The there are several Dairylanders work­ ter, Cecilia, brought her trumpet and chapter is proud of its slide presenta­ ing with us on this project. joined him in several selections. The tion and is always delighted when When the Kimball is complete, combination of organ and trumpet asked to present it. It has proved to we should be happy to provide a full was quite a treat for those who had be the best way to keep the chapter, account to THEATRE ORGAN of never heard Dr. Prescott play before. the beautiful Alabama Theatre and its rebuilding and reinstallation. On February 10th, members the Wurlitzer in the public eye. It An original organ of this magnitude braved a very cold and icy morning works! should hopefully make an outstand­ to enjoy the music of "Big Bertha" CECIL WHITMIRE ing addition to the present concert once again. As has been a custom for circuit. several years, February is open con­ ALOHA Sincerely, sole. The nimble-fingered artistry of The roof has not caved in on the J. Clark Wilson, talented members JoAnn Radue, Aloha Chapter, but for a while mem­ Vice-President KTOS Beatrice Fee, Sam Troutman, Jr. and bers thought it might. Brown Deer, WI D Sr., Bob Rabin, Chris Radue, Cecil Heavy rains and a deteriorating 38 THEATRE ORGAN APRIL/ MAY 1980 roof on the old Hawaii Theatre in new roof, loose plaster has been re­ organ was not available, members Honolulu, which is approaching 60 moved and the structure is safe for were treated to performances re­ years of age and which houses one of patrons once more . In the meantime, corded on several organs in the area, the two remaining theatre pipe or­ chapter members have been busy accompanying several silent come­ gans in Hawaii, caused leaks and maintaining the organ and releather ­ dies. large chunks of plaster started falling ing all the pouch rails. David Reese , JoAnn Harmon, recently, narrowly missing the Rob­ Soon, members hope to start hold ­ Blaine Gale , Mike Ohman and Gay­ ert Morton pipe organ console which ing public concerts once again, lord Carter were the performers. the chapter members are trying to which had to be cancelled when the The organs used were those at the preserve. roof nearly caved in on them. Capitol Theatre, the Organ Loft and For several weeks, the theatre Provo Pipes and Pizza. could only seat patrons under the BEEHIVE After the show in the auditorium, balcony. Whenever chapter mem­ Chapter members met in Febru ­ members and guests were escorted bers met to play the organ, ''hard ary at the Capitol Theatre in Salt through the newly-remodeled the­ hats and a light foot on the low bas s Lake City, Utah. After a short busi­ atre, rehearsal rooms and the more notes" was the recommendation. ness meeting conducted by Chair­ adventuresome were taken to the It is hoped that the theatre will be man Wayne Russell, a report was chambers in the attic. Refreshments designated a National Landmark made as to the status of the organ courtesy of Maxine Russell were and slated for preservation. The the­ restoration project which is still sev­ served in the organ workshop in the atre management has just applied a eral months in the future. As "live" basement. CLARENCE E. BRIGGS CENTRAL INDIANA The first meeting of the new year was held January 14th at the Para­ mount Music Palace, with approxi­ mately 250 members and guests in attendance. The first half of the program fea­ tured John Ferguson, musical direc­ tor at the Paramount, who gave a presentation of the ins and outs of the fine Wurlitzer. He gave the com­ plete lineage of the instrument , des­ cribing in detail the refinishing of the console, the identification of ranks and rank layouts, all stops and some possible combinations, the Betty DeRosa, chairman of the Aloha Chapter, displays the recommended headgear for members playing the Robert Morton when the ceiling falls down . Richard Harger, chief maintenance " honcho" for the Aloha Chapter members busy at work releathering the pouch rails of the old Robert Morton organ they are trying to Aloha Chapter saves the delicate portion of releather­ preserve. (L to R) Mary Chandler , Scott Bosch, Frank Loney, Jim Chandler and Bob Anderson. ing for himself . APRIL / MAY 1980 THEATRE ORGAN 39 pedalboard and changes and modi­ that it is indeed a great pleasure to our trip to Indianapolis to see the fications during rebuilding and the play it." unusual 42-rank Wurlitzer at the reasons for them. He also described The club plans to attend future Paramount Music Palace. Organ the shutters and also explained the programs sponsored by the Para­ entertainment featured Betsy Rich­ fire protection system. moun t . These include Tom Hazleton ard playing the Lougher's Baldwin The second half of the program on June 8, 1980; Ron Rhode in late Studio II. Betsy presented a reper­ was presented by Kurt Von Shakel, August or early September; and toire of perennial favorites from the whose choice of music was appre­ house organists Donna Parker and 30s and 40s. Open console followed. ciated by all present. He later stated, Bill Vlasak at Christmas time. The The chapter's Worthington Wur­ "This organ is so well-maintained chapter is delighted in being able to litzer project is moving toward a support and receive help from the March 23rd deadline for five opera­ Paramount. tional ranks, with the hopeful timely The February 10th meeting was arrival of some missing pipes. The held at the Wilking Music Com­ long-awaited pipes are being fash­ pany's warehouse in northwest In­ ioned at the organ pipe factory of dianapolis. The meeting was called Bob Shopp in Alliance, Ohio. A tour to order with 96 members and guests through his plant alone is worth the present.