of the
MORTON THEATER ORGAN
Broome County Performing Arts Center
236 Washington Street, (downtown) Binghamton, NY
Saturday August 20, 2005 at 8 PM.
Visit any Partner's Trust Broome County office for tickets which are $15. Binghamton Theater Organ society members ($20 per year membership) can purchase tickets for $10 by calling President Paul Stapel at 773-1495 or Membership Chairperson Michael Roseboom at 797-7947. Tickets purchased before August 16th are eligible for the reserved seating section in the front of the main floor as well as the front three rows of the balcony.
The Morton Theater Organ was donated to the Broome County Forum by the Binghamton Savings Bank (now Partner's Trust) in 1974. The instrument was found in a barn in Michigan after an illustrious career, imported to Binghamton and totally renewed over a two year period by a volunteer crew headed by George Melnyk. The crew included his family, bank employees and many organ friends, some of whom belong to the BTOS today!
The performance is being underwritten by Fred R. Xlander, attorney at law and the Partner's Trust Savings Bank, President, and the Broome County Parks Department which runs the FORUM and takes care of the instrument on behalf of the people of Broome County.
David Peckham at the Clemens Center Organ
by Paul Stapel, Chapter President
Dave's interpretations of grand music of someone's yesteryear as well as his
treatment of newer tunes from "The Producers" turned everybody on! I got a
real kick out of the all ages audience making the proper loud noises at the
inspired moments of Buster Keaton's antics (YAY, BOO, GET'IM, SIGH!!!). As
promised, Dave's flying fingers flew even more for this show> He was just
Great.
And so were you, the audience and supporters. You showed the Theater Organ's
special kind of music and players is significant to our lives and we intend
to help you keep it that way. At our meeting in September we voted to continue
to present concerts. Next season (2005-2006) we will have four different shows
featuring the organ, one of those with the Binghamton Philharmonic on its May
20, 2006 8:00 pm Pops series, featuring DENNIS JAMES, two Pre-Pops shows and
TWO organ-only shows on Jan. 15 and in summer of 2006. We will bring in the
very best professional artists and generally a silent film on the two
organ-only shows!! What FUN!!!
Hopefully you will read this in time to rush out and support the American
Cancer Society's CONCEPT*CREATE*CURE fundraiser fashion show which is
featuring the organ on equal billing with the models and the haute couture'
planned for the unsuspecting audiences. Richard Van Auken, our own Master of
the Keys member will keep your ears filled while your eyes take in the
models!! Friday or Saturday, October 7 and 8, 2005 at the FORUM. Contact the
American Cancer Society for
tickets.
Our membership is growing nicely and steadily. We are getting closer to
needing some individuals to help at Roberson Center as we re-wire and
re-tube the LINK at ROBERSON organ console so it works as good as possible.
Since fine artists like Dave Peckham can only give a great show Our goal is
to have both organs on equally good operating levels for the nearest future -
we would like to have a four concert, organ-only concert series in 2006-2007.
ARE YOU READY?
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.