Binghamton Chapter, American Theatre Organ Society
Binghamton, New York
We are known as the Binghamton Theater Organ Society. If anyone desires
additonal information, including info on how to become a member of the Society,
please click
here or contact either:
Paul Stapel, President, at (607) 773-1495, or
Richard Sheasley, Membership Chairman, at (607) 724-6062
Bill Metzar, Webmaster, at (607) 778-5157
The club's e-mail address is: pstapel@stny.rr.com
You can reach us by U.S. Postal Mail at:
Binghamton Theater Organ Society
PO Box 1353
Binghamton, NY 13902-1353
Our group is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of theater
organs and automatic musical instruments. Our goals are to be involved with
the restoration, on-going maintenance, and promotion of the Link theater
organ and the Link coin piano (style R) at the Roberson Museum and Science
Center, the Robert Morton organ at the Forum Theater (also known as the
Broome Center for the Performing Arts), the Wurlitzer 146-A band organ on
the Ross Park carousel, and the Wurlitzer 146-B band organ on the
Recreation Park carousel; all of these instruments are located in the
City of Binghamton.
This website was last updated on January 24, 2008.
Please note that the Binghamton Philharmonic Pops concert will feature
DENNIS JAMES, will be held on May 17, 2008. Dennis was the organist who first
performed on the FORUM'S Morton four keyboard, 24 ranks of pipes organ in the
late 70's.
CALENDAR
April 12: David Peckham returns
For open consoles, please use the rear Stage Door #2 entrance.
With a little luck from a satisfied donor we also hope to
make needed improvements so our instruments can serve the world's top
organists with better control systems allowing special effects unique to the
organ world.
ROBERSON LINK ORGAN
Ed Link's baby is getting BIG TIME plastic surgery.
We have removed the organ from it's lift and placed it onto a new,
wheeled platform. Next we will label and cut the hundreds of wires connecting
the console to the pipe room. The console has been moved to a workspace where
we will replace ALL the internal failing low voltage cotton-covered wiring
with nice new wires. Hundreds of them! This action eliminates a major
challenge of trying to keep the organ playing and not having to deal with
wiring from the 1920's!
Once this work gets done, we intend to re-open the Link in
another series of shows using the new, popular pops format table seating
with popcorn, liquid refreshments and munchies and maybe even a dinner-show
style program some day!!!)
Meanwhile, we are looking for a volunteer marketing person
to push all the PR buttons it takes to help the knowing public find out
about Binghamton two-too-well-hidden Theater Organs.
BECOME A MEMBER
Your membership inspires our Society's working volunteers (which you
can aslo be!) to continue to give of their time to keep the instruments
going. Like fine cars, the organs need constant personal attention to work
their best. Your donation gives us support to pay for the unusual materials
needed to keep the organs in working order. You will also receive our
bi-monthly newsletter telling about what we are up to, about the next concerts
and the Reserved Seating Section nearest the console and in the balcony until
10 minutes before show time. You will also be informed of our open console
sessions when anyone can play (or listen to) the Forum organ. Click
here to join.
SUPPORT
If you have the means, we are raising about $60,000 to pay for the
required electronic control devices and improve much of the original, quite
historical parts of the organ which need lots of attention. ALL of our club
labor is provided by our volunteers. The person-hours dollar savings to the
community represents well over $100,000 of professional time in this
re-incarnation stage.
RECORDINGS
After we are able to get the instruments in tip top shape we intend to
start making recordings which you can place in your playback machinery and
enjoy the organ whenever you need a lift. This will take at least another
year given funds raised within a few months to do the work! Can YOU help?
THANKS!
Sincerely
Paul Stapel
President, and on behalf of all our active members!!
Look for Open Console times offered elsewhere on this web page. Play or
listen to your fellow members use their talents to the max!!
Stay in touch! Send us your e-mail address at bingtheaorg@stny.rr.com to get
the latest information fast.