In 2007 Videographer James Plumlee of the Tulsa World made a nine-minute video tour of our organ. You can view it here.
Welcome to the website of the Sooner State Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society. We are headquarted in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and have our monthly meetings at the Broken Arrow Campus of the Tulsa Technology Center, 129th E. Ave (Olive) and 111th St. Our meetings are at 7:00 on the third Friday of the month, (unless circumstances dictate another date).
In December 2008 we elected our officers for the next two years. They are: Phil Judkins, President Bill Rowland, First Vice President Phil Gray, Second Vice President Lynda Ramsey, Secretary Joyce Hatchett, Treasurer Carolyn Craft, Program Chairman
Our chapter owns a 1927 Robert-Morton 3-manual theatre pipe organ (see picture top of page) that we use for our programs. It was originally installed in the Capitol theatre in Steubenville, Ohio, then by a circuitous route found its way to Tulsa, where we acquired it and got it installed in the new campus at TTC in the 1980s.
We also have a rebuilt 1903 Kimball grand piano donated to us by Don and Dee Miller that used to preside in the Mayo Hotel in downtown Tulsa.
Our members have also restored the 1927 four manual, forty-five rank Kilgen pipe organ at the Performing Arts Center of Tulsa Central High School. We promote the school's organ teaching program and concerts, which are open to the public. Our educational outreach includes bringing school children to Central High or TTC for a theatre organ experience. At right is the Central High School console.
Our programs feature some artists from out of the Tulsa area as well as local organists and usually give time for "Open Console" where members and non-members alike can try out the organ.
Please feel free to come by and enjoy our programs, there is no admission charge but donations for organ maintenance and program expenses are appreciated! And, if you would like to receive our monthly mailed newsletter, the Windline just let us know.
Click here to visit the national website for the American Theatre Organ Society.
Our first program for 2010 was 'Silent Movie Night' once again as we saw The Son of the Sheik with Rudolph Valentino from 1926. Bill Rowland accompanied this great silent film on our theatre pipe organ, and it was enjoyed by a large crowd on January 15. This was Valentino's last movie, and he played a dual role of The Sheik of the 1921 movie and his headstrong son. Agnes Ayres reprised her role as the wife of the old sheik and the young sheik's love interest was played by Vilma Bánky.
February will once again be our Gospel Music night with great performances expected from our own members on the 19th.
On March 26 (not our normal "Third Friday" date because of TTC’s Spring Break) - Our friend Wally Brown from Oklahoma City will play for us. We always enjoy Wally’s improvisational skills and style of playing as well as the wide variety of music he selects.
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And, many more great programs and silent movies in the coming months, watch for them!
