|
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:
- To have all theatre pipe organs located in facilities
that reflect high standards of excellence in their restoration,
tonal voicing and public presentation.
- 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.
- To encourage talented musicians to preserve the art of
theatre organ styling.
- To encourage skilled technicians and members to preserve
the art of theatre organ restoration, installation and maintenance.
CFTOS members presently maintain the Tampa Theatre organ and
are restoring and installing their own organ in Pinellas Park.
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.
|
The Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ
