Pittsburgh Area Theatre Organ Society, Inc.

Keyboards and more

 

If you like keyboards, synthesized sounds, MIDI interfaces and other Hi-Tech musical gadgets, have you heard or seen a mighty instrument having from 2 to 6 keyboards? It’s called a “Theatre Organ”.

 

If you were to sit at the console of such an instrument and play it, it would act as the master to slave other actual instruments....really the precursor of the modern MIDI system.  For example, from its multiple keyboards you could activate an acoustic piano, marimba, xylophone or percussions like a complete drum set including top hat or crash cymbals...a variety of tuned bells and cathedral chimes plus actual sleigh bells, glockenspiel, chrysoglott and similar.  Lots of realistic sounds of train whistles, car horns, storms, horse gallops etc.  Now, of course electronic tone modules can do a pretty good job of replicating various instruments and sound effects.  But just think when you flip a tab stop on a Theatre Organ, you are actually playing the actual instruments just mentioned.

 

But these instruments which at one time were featured in virtually every movie house in the world, offer much more than special effects.  The gorgeous sounds of any music played covers the entire gamut of human emotions.  It can be a Marching Band, symphony orchestra or simply play country music, folk tunes, reels and anything else you care to try.

 

Even if you have just a modest ability to play a tune on one of those widely available electronic keyboards, how would you like to experience the thrill of sitting at the console of the PATOS MIGHTY WURLITZER?  All you have to do is become a member of PATOS, attend its artist-featured concerts and participate in "open console" .  Believe me, the moment you strike even a basic chord supported say, by a bass note of 16 or 32 Ft., you will experience the throb, power and beauty of the stops selected which you will never forget!

 

Thanks to organizations like PATOS, the dedication of its officers and directors maintain one of the relatively few Theatre Organs left in the USA, so that a younger generation can also share the enjoyment of hearing, and hopefully playing this unique instrument.

 

We of PATOS look for the aspiring young musicians to see and hear our Mighty WurliTzer but also encourage your active participation as a  member.  You are needed to make it possible for future generations to enjoy these fabulous Pipe Organs.

 

By Bob Morelli

Keyboardists