THEATRE ORGAN SOCIETIES exist all over the world and keep alive music of the days when the Theatre Organ was “King.”
THEATRE ORGAN SOCIETIES aim to preserve and promote theatre organ entertainment in all forms, and to further the understanding of the instrument and its music. We achieve these aims by promoting and supporting public concerts plus sponsoring local and international Theatre Organists and publishing a monthly newsletter. We hold a Club Night each month, with music, film, information and entertainment.
MEMBERSHIP is available to approved persons. You do not have to be an organ player, although many members are. Members come from all walks of life. A few members even own a pipe organ. Some enjoy their electronic organ. Most neither own nor play an organ but simply enjoy the sound of the music. Age is no barrier to our mutual enjoyment – we have an ever-increasing membership from the very young upward.
OUR ORGAN – Our first organ, a two keyboard (called manuals) Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ, was installed in Wyatt
Hall, Pulteney Grammar School, from 1970 to 2004.
Our second organ is also a Wurlitzer. The console of four keyboards came from the State Theatre in Melboune. The different sets of pipes (called ranks) came from other organs
in Australia, New Zealand, England and America; making it one of the most outstanding organs in Australia. All costs of installation, restoration and maintenance are borne by the SA Division of TOSA, with teams of members providing their various skills to do the work. The console is on a lift, which allows it to be lowered into a pit with a mechanically operated cover, thus providing a flat stage area when the organ is not in use.
The various ranks of pipes, with all of the associated mechanism, are mounted in chambers on both sides of the screen and the percussion sections are mounted on the front of the pipe chambers. These are covered by curtains, which can be opened to display the whole organ when it is being played.
ORGAN AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS – One of the greatest advantages for our playing members and families is the availability of our Mighty Wurlitzer for practise purposes. Of all the Theatre Organ Societies in the world, this organ is one of the most accessible to members, and is often available Monday and Wednesday to Friday between 10 am and 4 pm.
Practise times are by prior arrangement with the Theatre Booking Office.
Organ players of any standard can have many enjoyable hours playing our Mighty Capri Theatre pipe organ.
AIMS OF THE SOCIETY – The Society’s broadest aims are to provide for its members friendship, entertainment, information, opportunity for personal involvement and, above all, the enjoyment of Theatre Organ music in all its forms.
We invite you and your friends to join us.