Photos by Todd McDonald

Mighty Wurlitzer Organ Upgraded!

Volunteer technicians Richard Gleason (pictured), Bill Shrive and George Losinger have been performing routine maintenance in addition to upgrading the Organ's relay system.  The project was expected to take about two weeks, but once the crew members dismantled the wiring, they discovered some other item that needed attention.  Whether its an old house, theatre or organ, one thing always leads to another.  The Wurlitzer is now back on the job and better than ever!. To view photos of the project, please click here.

The Tampa Theatre Mighty Wurlitzer is a magnificent 3 manual, 14 rank instrument maintained by the Central Florida Theater Organ Society. Click here to visit the Central Florida Theatre Organ Society website.

Click here to view photos taken in the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ Pipe Chambers

Come Early for Pre-Show Entertainment!
Members of The Central Florida Theater Organ Society perform at the Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ before most films. Special thanks to the Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ volunteer crew and performers -- Bob Baker, Bill Brusick, Bob Courtney, Richard Frank, Richard Gleason, George Losinger, Sandy Hobbis, Bob Logan and Bill Shrive.

About The Central Florida Theatre Organ Society

You are invited to join us in our efforts to preserve a magnificent instrument and its music. For more information, email Bob Baker.

The Central Florida Theatre Organ Society (CFTOS ) is one of some 75 chapters of the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) an international non-profit organization with 6,000 members in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

Our chapter (CFTOS) is also non-profit and was formed in 1978 with the goal of reinstalling the Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ in the historic Tampa Theatre in downtown Tampa. The original Wurlitzer organ was a two manual (keyboard) instrument with eight ranks. A rank is a particular sound, such as trumpet, violin, clarinet, etc. This organ was used until the late 1950s. The organ was moved to a church in Tampa and stayed there until the 1970s, when the church decided it wanted a new organ. Tampa Theatre was being refurbished, so a few dedicated individuals formed the Central Florida chapter of ATOS and negotiated with the Theatre to install a larger Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ. The original organ was removed from the church, while the back breaking chore of moving pipes, rewiring, replacing magnets, releathering pipe chests and regulators was painstakingly accomplished. An additional four ranks of pipes were also located, as also was a larger three manual console to handle the additional number of pipes. The organ now has twelve ranks and almost 900 pipes. In addition, many special effects, such as xylophone, sleigh bells, etc. had to be found, and wired into the “horseshoe” style console.

Volunteers spent thousands of hours installing the pipes and wind chests, and ran miles of wiring. Thanks to their efforts, the Wurlitzer was playable by 1986. Since then, the Wurlitzer is played before most films and for special programs. The organists are all CFTOS volunteers have generously donated many, many hours for the sole purpose of providing music in the tradition of the theatre pipe organ. Work continues on Wurlitzer, as it requires routine maintenance and improvements to keep it in proper condition for the public.

The purpose of the Central Florida Theatre Organ Society and of the American Theatre Organ Society is: the preservation, enjoyment, and enhancement of the theatre pipe organ. You do not have to play the organ in order to be a member of CFTOS; just be able to appreciate and support the theatre organ, and the chapter’s objectives.

If you would like to be a part of this fascinating and joyful work, join CFTOS. A donation in any amount will be much appreciated. We need your assistance.

The Central Florida Theatre Organ Society (CFTOS) received its charter as a chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) in 1978. CFTOS is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of a national and treasured art form--the theatre pipe organ and its music.

As a chapter of an international society, it is our obligation:

1. To have all theatre pipe organs located in facilities that reflect high standards of excellence in their restoration, tonal voicing and public presentation.
2. To further public appreciation of the theatre pipe organ and its music with educational programs, concerts, accompaniment to silent films and pre-show and intermission organists for movies or other stage productions.
3. To encourage talented musicians to preserve the art of theatre organ styling.
4. To encourage skilled technicians and members to preserve the art of theatre organ restoration, installation and maintenance.

Members are what makes CFTOS a success. They join to hear musical programs, assist in organ restoration and installation and, in addition, enjoy developing new friendships with similar interests. All members receive the CFTOS newsletter and the national publication Theatre Organ which keeps them updated on all national and regional conventions, available records and chapter news, and also includes many informative and interesting columns.

You are invited to join us in our efforts to preserve a magnificent instrument and its music. For more information, email Bob Baker.