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    Frederik Magle
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    Krummhorn
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Theatre Pipe Organ

AeroScore

AeroScore

New member
Well, this thread has been quiet for a while...:(

So, let me share some good news: three weeks ago, I became the latest staff organist at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco. :D I am on a substitute basis at this point, but I've played intermissions at least one weekend night for the last three weeks.

The buzz from the audience has been good, management seems happy, I'm thrilled, and there are rumblings that it may become more permanent in the near future. It all depends on how I can work the Castro into my work schedule.

What I'd really like to do is a silent-movie program there...

I'll post a pic of the theatre and organ console when the opportunity arises.

Dean
 
Krummhorn

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Hi Dean ...

Hey, that's really great news ... hopefully things will work out in a positive way for you. Looking forward to learning more about this theatre's instrument and seeing the pics.

Thanks for sharing this with the forum community.
 
methodistgirl

methodistgirl

New member
theatere organs

When I was about nineteen or twenty I went to a place in Pheonix Az. called
organ stop pizza and they had a wurlitzer organ. Louisville, kentucky has
one somewhere but I never heard it play. The closest thing to having a
theater organ is the organ at my church and the one at the first baptist
on north main Madisonville. Nothing could house a wurlitzer here in this
town I'm in. All of the resturants are very small. All Madisonville has are
fast food joints and a few diners.:rolleyes: It would be a joy if only a player
piano was in one of the resturants somewhere! Only one of the down
town resturants at least has a baby grand piano in it. I envy the piano
player. I don't really play one that good since I've gotten a bit out of
practice. Yes I also play the piano! I was faced one day trying to
explain the difference between the real reason that the pipe is so much
bigger than even the biggest concert grand.:confused: People here are a little
behind other people elsewhere.:rolleyes:
 
Krummhorn

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
methodistgirl said:
When I was about nineteen or twenty I went to a place in Pheonix Az. called organ stop pizza and they had a wurlitzer organ . . . .
Click to expand...

This Wurlitzer still exists, but much larger now. Organ Stop Pizza is now in Mesa, which is just under a 2 hour drive from where I live. I get there at least 6 times every year - never tire of hearing either Lew Williams or Charlie Balogh play this monster.
 
methodistgirl

methodistgirl

New member
thanks Mr. Krummhorn!

Thanks for telling me. This was back in the eighties when I went.
Now I'm 47. It has been over twenty years since then. madisonville,
kentucky is lucky to have two pipe organs in town. They are located
in the Methodist church I go to, and a baptist church. That is the
only two that I know of. As far as a theater organ goes madisonville
has a grand piano in one of it's resturants on main street. Just to
think, they have Kerokie!:rolleyes: I'd rather listen to the piano player play
something than a machine. That's the one horse town I live in!:whistle:
judy tooley
 
Pipequeen

Pipequeen

New member
The theatre organ is my main instrument... I live in Metro Detroit, so theres the Senate, the Fox, the Redford, the Baldwin... thats it, I think!

(If you get the ATOS magazine, I'm in it this month!)
 
Pipequeen

Pipequeen

New member
I attended the theatre organ summer adventure camp type whatever its supposed to be called. I'm one of the peoples in the little group picture shot.
 

Arvin B

New member
We have a number near where I live - the paramount in Oakland was already mentioned.

We also have a number in private hands such as the organ at Ironstone Vineyards.
 
AllanP

AllanP

New member
Pipequeen,

How did you like the summer camp? I am taking organ lessons from Donna Parker who is a fabulous teacher. I am lucky to have my own pipe organ to play and enjoy it very much.

When I get home, I will look up the picture.
 

Alexander smith

New member
Hi, I am also a Theater Organ enthusiast. But (sadly) have never played or heard one in person. I also don't think there is a theater organ around here (Wilksborough-Lenoir NC area) Alexander
 
Krummhorn

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Hi Alexander,

Great to hear of another T/O enthusiast here. No doubt you have recordings of these great instruments, but to hear one in person is an unforgettable experience. There is a IV/79 Wulrlitzer about 115 miles from where I live that I frequent 4-6 times every year.

I searched the ATOS site, and there is a Chapter in Charlotte called Metrolina Theatre Organ Society. They may know about any theatre organs in and around your area.

There is also another ATOS Chapter in Baltimore, MD called the Piedmont Theatre Organ Society.

Hope this helps
 
Corno Dolce

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
Hi Judy,

There are lots of fascinating Theatre Organs out there - glad I could be of service to you.

Cheers.

Corno Dolce
 
methodistgirl

methodistgirl

New member
There is a theater organ in Louisville,Ky. somewhere. I couldn't tell
you exactly where. Other organs are church organs in this state.
Look up theater organs in Kentucky. But start out with Msn and look
up Kentucky on search and then look up theater organs or organs.
You will find it. It's not as pretty but it plays real swell!
judy tooley:grin:
 
Corno Dolce

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
Hi Judy,

Visit <www.atos.org> and check out their register of theatre organs.

Cheers,

Corno Dolce
 
AeroScore

AeroScore

New member
Yes, indeed...atos.org is a great resource for anyone interested in theatre organs, their history, and where they are playing currently.

There are also a great number of theatre organ videos available on YouTube! I found a number of them them quite interesting, particularly ones made by Jim Riggs at an organ whose console was specifically designed for Jesse Crawford, now residing in a home in Kansas.

Just Google YouTube/TheatreOrgans/JimRiggs

Dean:cool:
 
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