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This organ consists of 22 ranks (voices) of pipes. Each rank contains between 61 and 108 pipes with each pipe being one note. Each rank produces a different sound, such as trumpet, clarinet, flute, oboe, etc. There are two ranks that are called Vox Humana, which sound like a choir of voices off in the distance. The theatre organ was originally called a Unit Orchestra" because it was able to reproduce the sounds of a small orchestra. The music was written specifically to create a mood or describe the action during a silent movie. There are some
sounds that are unique to the theatre organ, but many are very similar to those found in a church organ.
Our instrument started with a dream, and a long-term desire to own and play a theatre organ. We heard about some used pipes being discarded, and the project began. Over several years we have grown from a dream, to a two-manual (keyboards) console, to a 4 manual, 22 rank instrument. We have several more ranks of pipes in storage that will bring this organ to about 26 ranks. The organ has what is referred to as the Toy Counter which consists of sounds used to accompany a silent films. These sounds include a triangle, wood block, tambourine, fire gong,
bird whistle, siren, car horn, train and boat whistles, horses' hooves, drums and others. There are also tuned percussions such as a xylophone, harp (done with special metal bars and padded hammers), chimes, and a glockenspiel. A few of the sounds you hear are produced electronically, such as the piano and a few of the ranks that would not physically fit in this location. However, most are created by air under pressure in the same way those sounds were produced in the 1920's when instruments such as this were in their heyday.
The console consists of 4 manuals and about 149 stoptabs, which are the control mechanisms that allow the organist to choose which ranks will be played from which keys. This console was willed to us after the death of our dear friend Joe Barnes. It has been rewired, repainted. and reworked, but it was an object of love for Joe, and has been a labor of love for those of us who have put untold hours into its refurbishing.
Right Side
Left Side
String Celeste 4 Tuba 8,4 Harmonic Flute 4 Dopple Flute 8,4 Kinura 8
TOY COUNTER SOME OF THE PIPES XYLOPHONE AND CRYSOGLOTT MORE PIPES
