Fall Issue - EMCATOS-THE HOME OF PIPE ORGAN POPS AND ...



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Winter Issue December 2004

VISIONS AT THE JANUARY 2 EMCATOS SOCIAL

"... and now for something completely different!" Videos! Visions of EMCATOS is an interactive visual presentation of EMCATOS as seen via our web site, plus a Wurlitzer factory tour and classic theatre organ videos. There will be open console as usual following the program.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

How I Became Hooked or "Bob’s Holiday Tale"

I sit at my computer on this Mid-December evening and begin to think of times past…

As a youngster growing up in Bristol, Rhode Island my exposure to music was great. Mom and Grandma played the piano, we had a weekly music lesson in school, and Dad even sold records in his store. I couldn’t escape music. As a matter of fact, my father even broadcast Christmas music for the whole downtown area every season. One of those records was Jesse Crawford with Harry Breur on chimes, playing “Joy to the World.” I knew that I liked the sound, scratchy as it was. In junior high school a friend of mine invited me to his home for dinner one evening. I went…as a result my life was changed forever. No, the dinner wasn’t that good but his dad had just assembled a new hi-fi system. (This is before the days of stereo.) I’d never heard anything like that sound. The very first sounds that these ears heard on the revolutionary hi-fi system were--you guessed it--George Wright at the New York Paramount! I was hooked, and still am.

I pursued theatre organ music recordings like they were the Holy Grail. My first acquisition was “Midnight for Two” with Ray Bohr and The Three Suns. Second came “The Big Sound on Broadway” and on and on and on. I percolated along buying any organ recording that my meager finances would allow. In my senior year our class traveled to NYC. I had written ahead and arranged to go backstage at Radio City Music Hall to meet Ray Bohr. He couldn’t have been nicer--and I got to meet some Rockettes! What more could a sixteen year old ask for?

Guess what? I went into the Navy, married and settled down. By pure coincidence and through a stroke of luck, I had written a letter to the editor about the Leroy Theater in Pawtucket, RI. I mentioned the organ in the letter and received a call from Walter Gelinas in Seekonk, MA. Walter invited me to his home to see his 2/5 Wurlitzer. He told me of ATOS and took my wife and me to Stoneham to hear the Wurlitzer there. I was in heaven.

But aside from giving you my life story here is my real point: As time went on I learned of EMCATOS and eventually joined. Before that, I had heard rumblings that the group was unfriendly and didn’t really welcome new members. We all know that this impression was wrong. EMCATOS is a wonderful bunch of folks who are warm and welcoming. Just watch the dynamics at our concerts, especially at the intermissions. Folks are mingling and talking, explaining the console, cracking jokes, and generally having a good time. We are, by and large, a great group of people. (Give yourselves a big hand.)

We have a lot to offer. Good music, fellowship, technical challenges for those interested, and a chance to work (on an intellectual or physical level) with a great group of people. We can offer the public music that is not angry, offensive, dissonant, or immoral. Albeit slowly, membership is growing. We have a lot going for us. EMCATOS is still vital and thriving.

So, as the holidays approach and pass, try to focus on the positives that we offer. Our second ATOS Regional Convention is rapidly approaching. Our first regional was a great success because we used the many talents of our members and set an example for the whole ATOS

Bob Evans

Do you have a story to tell about how you first became "hooked" on theatre organ? Send to the Editor, 8 Skyline Drive, Billerica, MA 01821.

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PLANNING THE ATOS REGIONAL CONVENTION - November 3-5, 2006

An organizational meeting will be held on January 29. See details in Coming Events. This is a combined Board of Directors meeting and first meeting for the 2006 Regional. All are welcome. We need volunteers for all committees.

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We send our condolences to Bob Legon whose father passed away on December 15. The funeral service will be at the Weir Funeral Home, 144 Salem St in Malden at 11:00 am Monday, December 20.

Bob's home address is 26 Central Ave, Malden, MA 02148

VISIT OUR WEB SITE ...... Webmaster: Leonard Beyersdorfer

THE TICKET WINDOW

SILENTS IN THE HOUSE

978-670-1269 voice/fax email: tickets@

>>> Sat, April 2 advance sale $8 -

Send check (payable to Pipe Organ Pops) to 8 Skyline Drive, Billerica, MA 01821

At the Door

Adult $12

Senior/Student $10

16 and under, free with adult

PIPE ORGAN POPS

978-670-1269 voice/fax email: tickets@

>>> Sat, Feb 26 (Babson) advance sale $10

Send check (payable to Pipe Organ Pops) to 8 Skyline Drive, Billerica, MA 01821

At the Door

Adult $14

Senior/Student $12

16 and under, free with adult

>>> Sun, Feb 27 (Shanklin) Tickets are $20 and sold in advance only.

Tickets may be purchased ahead of time, but at no advance sale discount.

Send check (payable to Pipe Organ Pops) to 8 Skyline Drive, Billerica, MA 01821

FRIENDS OF THE KOTZSCHMAR ORGAN

For information, call 207-883-9525

THE PLAQUE THAT COMPLETED THE NEW CONSOLE

Both Persis and I think highly of our EMCATOS Chapter Number One and its wonderful 4/18 Wurlitzer. We contributed funds for the new console a few years ago, but it lacked the 'WURLITZER HOPE-HONES UNIT ORCHESTRA' plaques. These colorful brass plates have now been installed and complete the console. The Arndt Organ Supply in Ankeny, Iowa advertises regularly in "Theatre Organ" magazine. They offer high quality pipe organs and parts. I contacted Bob Arndt and inquired about these Wurlitzer plaques, and he replied that he could furnish these. That was the source.

Stan Garniss

WANTED: THEATRE PIPE ORGAN RECORDINGS, MUSIC, AND LITERATURE The EMCATOS thrift shop needs your surplus theatre pipe organ memorabilia. Please donate any items that you no longer need, as we can sell them at Babson concerts. We especially want single LP recordings of both pipe and electronic organ music. Also welcome are albums, sheet music, and other literature pertaining to organs. We use the proceeds to help defray the cost of maintaining our Wurlitzer. To arrange for a donation (and pickup if needed), call Lawrie Rhoads at 508-359-2077.

FOR SALE: Baby grand piano in black by Henry Miller of Boston AND Conn 3-manual theatre organ.

Please call Maureen Nagle 617-696-0554

Please send contributions for the newsletter to Dorothy Bromage, Editor – Eastern Pipes,

8 Skyline Drive, Billerica, MA 01821-1117. Email: BromageD@

978-670-1269 voice/ fax Deadline for Spring issue: March 1, 2005

PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS FOR DOROTHY

COMING EVENTS

Tue, Dec 21 7:30 pm Christmas with Cornils Merrill Auditorium

Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ Portland, ME

Sun, Jan 2, 2005 2:00 pm EMCATOS Social Knight Aud, Babson College

Sat, Jan 29 1:00 pm Combined Board and Wellesley Hills Congr Church

Regional Conv meeting Wellesley, MA

Sun, Feb 6 2:00 pm EMCATOS Social Knight Aud., Babson College

Fri, Feb 11 7:30 pm Valentines Silent Film Merrill Auditorium

Dennis James-two Keaton films Portland, ME

Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ

Sat, Feb 26 7:30 pm Clark Wilson Knight Aud., Babson College

EMCATOS

Sun, Feb 27 2:30 pm Clark Wilson Shanklin Music Hall

EMCATOS Groton, MA

Sun, Mar 6 2:00 pm EMCATOS Social Knight Aud., Babson College

Tue, March 15 noon & 7:30 pm Bach Birthday Bash Merrill Auditorium

Ray Cornils Portland, ME

Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ

Sat, April 2 7:30 pm SILENTS IN THE HOUSE Knight Aud., Babson College

Feature movie-watch for flyer

Tue, Apr 19 7:30 pm Music from the World's Greatest Merrill Auditorium

Cathedrals Portland, ME

Olivier Latry, Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ

Nov 3-5, 2006 ATOS Regional Convention Sheraton Hotel

EMCATOS and Pine Tree Chapter Framingham, MA

Mon, Nov 6, 2006 ATOS Regional Conv. Afterglow Visit to Maine by bus

If you suspect that an event may be canceled or postponed due to stormy weather conditions, please call Carolyn Wilcox at 781-272-5148.

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EASTERN PIPES

8 Skyline Drive

Billerica, MA 01821-1117

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