ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
From: Andy Struble, August 1997
Opus 881 from the Cinderella Theater Detroit Was purchased by Glenn Rank in 1966+/-.
In 1985 it was purchased by the Music House Museum in Acme, Michigan.
As of 9/27/97 I have just finished moving all of its parts into our restoration shops
so that we may begin its restoration. At this point we intend to rebuild the instrument
nearly to its original specs with only the addition of marimba and a few stop tabs.
From: Andy Struble, April 2005
As many of you know, back in 1985 when I joined the museum, we made the purchase of the 3/10 Wurlitzer
organ opus 881 built in 1924 for the Cinderella Theater on East Jefferson and Copland streets in Detroit.
It has been our goal for 20 years to incorporate this instrument into the museum.
Once finished, it will be played for all of our daily tours, an average of 5-6 a day, seven days a
week for our open season. Each year an average of 15-20,000 guests and numerous school groups
will have the opportunity to be exposed to the theater organ, many of them for the first and perhaps only time.
Work began on components back in 2000, mostly with volunteer labor. The pace picked up, and installation
was ready to begin on February 14th, 2005. New chambers were built in the museum, in the only space
available adequate, but with its own unique set of difficulties.
As of today, March 31, 2005, much of the instrument is in place. Most chests and pipes are in,
winding is under way, and wiring is scheduled for next week.
All manual chests are in place and most off sets. Still to go in are the 8' flute offset, the flute celeste pipes
and the 16' tibia.
The organ originally had 10 ranks of pipes, we have through great opportunity added three additional ranks.
Unfortunately this has been a little upsetting to some, and we ask for forgiveness and understanding.
In 2003, a three rank chest and style "D" trumpet was made available to us for a price we could not refuse.
To finish out the chest we added an oboe horn and a flute celeste. Many in the business agree that these
will be great additions to the sound of the instrument. We hope everyone who hears it will agree.
The solo chamber is all original. Tuba, Tibia, Vox, Kinura and Orchestral Oboe.
The main 5 rank chest as also all original with Flute, VDO & Celeste, Diapason and Clarinet.
The additional three rank chest in the main are again Style "D" Trumpet, Oboe Horn and Flute Celeste.
It has been a major undertaking as many of you know.
Thousands of volunteer hours, and thousands of dollars raised. But the project is not yet finished.
From: Andy Struble, November 2005
Opus 881, from the Cinderella Theater Detroit, is now nearly 100%
playable.
It has had 3 additional ranks added, and debut silent movie
was played on it October 21 & 23 2005.
By May 2006 it will be played on average 5-7 times a day as part of
our regular tours of the museum.