Welcome to the Walnut Hill Gazette. We began the month of December still playing catch up at the new Ridgecrest Office of Operations, prepairing new HTML code to take the Walnut Hill website to version 5, now long delayed. The site has now reached over 60,950 visitors to date. This year, we broke an attendance record with 26,442 viewers. Many of these folks are young people from the large art communities in cyberspace, where we have built portal pages such as those at deviantART and Renderosity, to name a few. There are over 217 pages of content available at this site, with more being added each month.

The founding father of Walnut Hill, Fred Willis, has been relocated from Victorville to Ridgecrest at last. He is of good cheer and is once again surrounded by those who love him in this small town of the High Desert. In Ridgecrest, Fred is a hero of massive perportions. We will be doing a special feature on the life and times of Fred early in the new year.

Of particular interest this month as well is a late breaking story that could have major ramifications for the VTPO as we know it. Joe Hardy, one of the true modern day pioneers of the art of virtual theatre pipe organ building has this to say. We quote him in blue text below:

The "Linux VTPO Project" is off to a great start. A core exploratory group has been formed with Kent Allman, Robert Kingdom, Ed Nupnau, Graham Goode and yours truly. Our vision is to develop a 3 manual, 30 rank jOrgan based VTPO that will be packaged into a complete stand alone Linux (Ubuntu likely) distro that employs LinuxSampler/Qsampler with the UGSF ranks as the "pipework" and BruteFIR as the convolver. The jOrgan disposition will also work in XP using GSO3 as the sampler. This is the platform where the new VTPO will be prototyped and which will continue to be a viable alternative to Linux.

The figures below represent the approximate daily hit count for the site since going online on April 2nd of 2004. Counter checks begin around ten in the morning and end around ten in the evening, Pacific Daylight Savings Time. Currently, that total stands at over 60,950 happy campers in the Land of the King!

12/01/2007 - 59,665 12/02/2007 - 59,699 12/03/2007 - 59,751 12/04/2007 - 59,786 12/05/2007 - 59,826 12/06/2007 - 59,879 12/07/2007 - 59,884 12/08/2007 - 59,943 12/09/2007 - 59,981 12/10/2007 - 60,032

12/11/2007 - 60,087 12/12/2007 - 60,112 12/13/2007 - 60.152 12/14/2007 - 60,197 12/15/2007 - 60,243 12/16/2007 - 60,286 12/17/2007 - 60,331 12/18/2007 - 60,355 12/19/2007 - 60,398 12/20/2007 - 60,442 12/31/2007 - 60,992

12/21/2007 - 60,503 12/22/2007 - 60,559 12/23/2007 - 60,592 12/24/2007 - 60,614 12/25/2007 - 60,652 12/26/2007 - 60,703 12/27/2007 - 60,752 12/28/2007 - 60,787 12/29/2007 - 60,839 12/30/2007 - 60,951

The wait is finally over! Download MidiTzer Style 216 v0.88 today! This new version of this wonderful program is better than ever with loads of new features.

Fellow Yahoo! TOSF member and VTPO pioneer Joe Hardy had this to say about this major upgrade. We quote him in blue text below:

WOW!! PHENOMENAL!!

Joe H.

We agree with Joe's enthusiasm after having installed and loaded the little VTPO. It came up and ran flawlessly. The interface looks wonderful and has many new functions that have been in the request loop for a long time.

What are you waiting for? Download your copy of MidiTzer Style 216 v0.88 today!

The Walnut Hill General Store announces a landmark event for students of the TPO. By a special arrangement between Cyrus Roton and the publishers, we are bringing back into print in limited quantities two difinative TPO classroom books, Vintage Theatre Organ Styles by William McMains and Sound of Silents by Lee Irwin.

Here it is, the all-time classic volume on how to play the King of Instruments. Vintage Theatre Organ Styles by William McMains. The book is a compilation of the four original volumes in the series, along with a CD containing lesson clips and performances from the vinyl records that came with the set. Conveniently bound in a durable comb spine volume which lays flat on the music rack, Vintage Theatre Organ Styles by William McMains will have you playing that glorious "horseshoe sound" right in your own home.

Made available by a special arrangement between Cyrus Roton and E. B. Marks Music Company, Vintage Theatre Organ Styles now available in limited quantities, so place your order now. To do so, go to the Theatre Organ Academy on Yahoo! Music Groups. If you are not a member, please join the group. Once your membership is complete, simply post a note to the group informing Cyrus that you want a copy of this essential volume for your library.

The price per book/CD set inside the US is $40, $45 in all other countries.

Coming soon, Sounds of Silents by Lee Erwin is a wonderful collection of scores for some of the finest silent movies ever made. The music is arranged for all organs and includes classics such as Ohantom of the Opera and Wings.

This book, long out of print, was made available by a special arrangement between Cyrus Roton and Howard Leonard Publishing. Printing is done in limited quantites so place your order now. To do so, go to the Theatre Organ Academy on Yahoo! Music Groups. If you are not a member, please join the group. Once your membership is complete, simply post a note to the group informing Cyrus that you want a copy of this essential volume for your library.

The cost per book, which covers publishing fees, postage and printing, has not been established.

Cyrus had this to say about the book. We quote him in blue text below:

I have completed scanning the book, and can now make a test print. I paid the specified royalties to the copyright owner, and expect to receive a signed letter giving me permission to make 25 copies. The current number of requests has greatly exceeded that number, so, I will have to request permission to make additional copies (probably, no problem).

Cy Roton

On November 20th of 2007, the Bone Doctor took the bench of the Mighty Conn 650 Analogue Electronic Theatre Organ installed at Mister Todd's place in Ridgecrest for a few numbers he has been working on.

1. The Hoop-A-Joop Song
   Playing time = 5:10, file size = 4.78MB, bitrate = 136KB/sec.
2. Cool Water
   Playing time = 5:27, file size = 5.04MB, bitrate = 136KB/sec.

These recordings were made using our trusty Zoom H4 digital audio recorder. The files were opened in SoundForge 6 where noise was removed and levels were optimized, along with adding a touch of reverb with the Waves TrueVerb plugin set to Threatre mode.

Stay tuned as we add more stuff from this wonderful machine in the days ahead. Thanks go out to fellow Walnut Hill Wall of Fame member Paul Kealy who donated the organ to Walnut Hill.

The largest gathering of artists on the internet today is deviantART. Here, you will find all kinds of artwork from folks all over the world. The Bone Doctor has created a page on dA which serves as a portal to the Walnut Hill website.

There, you will find some nice TPO wallpaper and many other photo's and renders from his many areas of interest. You will also meet the many wonderful friends he has made in his short tenure there. Enjoy!

---

Slow Dog's Place on YouTube!

The Bone Doctor, in conjunction with YouTube, now has a site featuring videos recorded live at the Dorothy Steiner Residence on the wonderful Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ installed at her home in Baltic, Ohio. Audio from this concert is available on the Featured Organ of the Month page for this great instrument.

There are currently two videos on the page, the first being an original composition entitled Suite in G for TPO. The second video is a rendition of the classic made famous by Patsy Cline entitled The Tennessee Waltz. To listen to and watch these new clips, click here. Enjoy!

Joe Hardy, fellow member of the Theatre Organ SoundFonts group on Yahoo! Music Groups, has informed us of the availability of a new Gigastudiosample set that promises to bring stunning realism to the Mighty MidiTzer and jOrgan VTPO's.

You can now download (totally FREE of charge) the complete set of GigaStudio Orchestra ranks and support files for the MidiTzer 216 and 260SP which Kent Allman of Allman Music in Saint Petersburg, Florida has graciously agreed to host. The same project file is used for both as the Style 216 is a subset of the Style 260SP. We strongly recommend all MidiTzer/GSO users to upgrade to the 260SP - even if you have only two manuals. Two very good reasons for this are:

1 - You get nine sumptuous additional ranks as well as the Vibraphone (instead of Sleigh Bells) and a nice Piano.

2 - By making a $100 donation as Jim Henry requires for the 260SP, you will be helping to support the care and maintenance of real theatre pipe organs.

From time to time, new ranks (if they're better) will be substituted and documentation will be gradually improved. This current VTPO, if played through suitable speakers, will truly amaze and delight you and your listeners.

The link to the page where these downloads are found is:

http://prosites-allmanmusic.homestead.com/UniversalVTPOGig.html

To download the files below, select a file via right-click and choose "Save File As..." from the fly-out menu. We suggest putting all the files in a common folder prior to extracting them. Follow the instructions given on Kent's USGF site for the proper installation of these glorious new sounds. Many thanks go out to Joe Hardy, Jim Henry, and all those other hard working folks who have made this latest crop of virtual ranks possible. Enjoy!

Fellow Walnut Hill Wall of Fame member Eugene "Don" Hayek sent in this wonderful performance on his Mighty MidiTzer Style 260 Special with GSO and the UGSF sample set loaded. The song is entitled Blue Skies.

Don had this to say about the song. We quote him in blue text below:

Hi Richard,

• UGSF Flute (Concert) WurliTzer (Mono, C/C#) (Joe Hardy) 20 Mb
• UGSF Diapason (Diaphonic) WurliTzer (Jim Henry, Joe Hardy) 141 Mb
• UGSF Tuba Horn WurliTzer (Jim Henry, Joe Hardy) 77 Mb
• UGSF VDO WurliTzer (Joe Hardy) 7 Mb Original
• UGSF Strings Eleven Ranks WurliTzer (Joe Hardy) 5 Mb
• UGSF Vox Humana WurliTzer (Joe Hardy) 8 Mb
• UGSF Tibia Clausa (Solo) WurliTzer (Joe Hardy) 8 Mb
• UGSF Clarinet Unknown (Mono, C/C#) (Joe Hardy) 24 Mb
• UGSF Oboe (Orchestral) Page (Kent Allman) 19 Mb
• UGSF Eng Post Horn WurliTzer (Jim Henry, Joe Hardy) 68 Mb
• UGSF Diapason (Open) WurliTzer (Jim Henry, Joe Hardy) 79 Mb
• USGF Musette WurliTzer (Jim Henry, Joe Hardy) 71 Mb
• UGSF Tibia Dolce Unkown (Mono, C/C#) (Joe Hardy) 8 Mb
• UGSF Saxophone (Brass) WurliTzer (Jim Henry, Joe Hardy 70 Mb
• UGSF Trumpet (Brass) WurliTzer (Jim Henry, Joe Hardy) 67 Mb
• USGF Gamba WurliTzer (Jim Henry, Joe Hardy) 85 Mb
• USGF Quintadena WurliTzer (Mono, C/C#) (Joe Hardy) 11 Mb
• USGF Oboe (Horn) Barton (Joe Hardy) 89 Mb
• USGF Kinura WurliTzer (Jim Henry, Joe Hardy 60 Mb
• UGSF Traps Toy Counter Barton (Joe Hardy) 11 Mb
• UGSF Marimba Unknown (Mono) (Joe Hardy) 20 Mb
• UGSF Chimes Unknown (Joe Hardy) 3 Mb
• UGSF Xylophone Barton (Joe Hardy) 4 Mb
• UGSF Glockenspiel Unknown (Mono)  (Joe Hardy) 4 Mb
• UGSF Chrysoglott WurliTzer (Jim Henry, Joe Hardy) 24 Mb
• UGSF Vibraphone WurliTzer (Mono) (Joe Hardy) 7 Mb
• UGSF Piano Barton (Joe Hardy) 103 Mb
• Brief Demo mp3
• MidiTzer-GSO Instructions
• W260-C GigaStudio Project File (Original)
• Audio Routing Table For MidiTzer

These files also work with jOrgan. Kent Allman posted this at Yahoo! TOSF on November 20th, 2007. We quote him in blue text below:

I just got a notification from my web server provider that we had already gone over 78% of our 70Gb bandwith allotment for the month. To make sure that I don't run out of bandwidth for the downloads, I've subscribed to the next highest tier for 100Gb of bandwidth. Out of curiosity, I got to checking the web stats and I noticed that my jOrgan page has had 10,875 hits since it was created a year and half ago, while the new USF page created 01/07 has already had 4,737 hits and the new UGSF page which was created last month already has 908 hits.

What this seems to indicate is that there appears to be a building interest in VTPO's, especially in the area of the USF and UGSF theatre organ files. All of this makes me very happy to see this kind of interest in virtual theatre organs. In my way of thinking, the more people that become involved with VTPO's means the more people that most likely will want to get involved with the real thing! In the end, if we can save a few more of these beautiful instruments for the next generation to hear and appreciate, it will all have been worthwhile.

From: djb
To: theatreorgans-l@theatreorgans.com
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2007 12:28:28 PM
TOSI Web Site

Greetings all,

I would like to invite you all to visit the totally revamped and vastly improved web site of Theatre Organ Society International. There are new features being added regularly and I know you'll enjoy your visit with us. Take a few minutes and have a look!

http://www.theatreorgansocietyinternational.com

Thanks!

Dan Bellomy
Council/Director TOSI

Walnut Hill Productions is still in somewhat of a bind from a business perspective. Household and personal expenses are taking a hefty slice out of the money Doc gets, as he is disabled and on a limited income. Replacing his personal property and the musical equipment lost after the relocation from Tennessee early in 2007, along with aquiring and maintaining a new residence, will be very expensive.

Most of the company's original equipment was left in Tennessee due to the high cost of shipping. These items must eventually be replaced. Below is a partial listing of the items we need for the studio in order to get back to the recording sessions Doc would like to complete, including albums from the Sub Urban Cowboys and Doc at the Mighty MidiTzer.

Doc and Tom Hoehn have created a Pay Pal account for easily and securely receiving contributions from all who want to see this relocation take place, which will allow Walnut Hill to make major strides forward for the King of Instruments.

Below is a listing of those who have genorously contributed funds and items to date:

Name Tom Hoehn Gareth Howells Jim Reid Cyrus Roton William Spalding Larry Chamberlin Kent Allman Fred Willis Joseph Loewy Ronald Shreve Dan Rowland Eleanor Winnemore Earl Hurty Edward Burnett

Amount $ 50.00 $ 50.00 $300.00 $500.00 $100.00 $100.00 $100.00 $200.00 $ 50.00 $ 25.00 $ 50.00 $100.00 $ 35.00 $ 50.00

Method PayPal PayPal PayPal Check PayPal Check PayPal PayPal PayPal PayPal PayPal Check Check PayPal

Name Bob Upward Paul Kealy Fred Willis Mister Todd

Item Zoom H4 Conn 650 A/V Gear Office

Description Recorder Organ Studio Residence

These most kind and generous folks have earned memberships in the Walnut Hill Organ Club and will be notified of their membership status when the club goes official. We have decided to push forward with the organization while awaiting an ATOS charter. Club members will receive printed certificates and membership cards, plus access to the WHOC online community via direct email notifications. This is just a small token of appreciation for all who are making the Walnut Hill website possible and freely available for the world to enjoy.

Funds received to date: $1,710.00

There are other pledges pending. Anyone can contribute as much or as little as they see fit by clicking the "Make a Donation" button above. You can also send checks via standard mail to the following address, should you choose to not use the Pay Pal account. Please make checks payable to Richard Mogridge, with the words "Relocation Fund" in the memo line. The address is:

If you have questions about the relocation fund, you can call the Bone Doctor at the Walnut Hill Office of Operations to learn more.

That telephone number is 1-727-230-2610.

All contributors will get recognized at the site should they choose, or they can remain anonymous, simply by letting the Bone Doctor know their preferences via email.

This is a major move forward for Walnut Hill Productions, one of the fastest growing TPO sites on the internet. Become a part of history by making your donation today. Please help us to continue the work we are doing as we continue to grow, adding new features and more services such as broadcasting audio and video for all to enjoy. You'll be glad you did.

We are thanking you in advance for your generosity and support in this grand endevour.

• Richard Mogridge - The Control Room
  All about recording the King of Instruments
• Tom Hoehn - Console Up!
  How to play the Mighty Theatre Pipe Organ
• Per Olof Schultz - Skandia WurliTzer
  The last WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ in Sweden
• Russ Ashworth - Mighty MidiTzer
  Playing the Theatre Organ virtualy every day!
• Jim Reid - Hauptwerk
  Martyn Dyde's highly accurate virtual organ from Crumhorn Labs

Download MidiTzer Version 0.88

Did you ever imagine you could put a Theatre Pipe Organ inside your computer? Well, now you can, with the Mighty MidiTzer by Jim Henry and Crew Glazjev. Best of all, it is absolutely free!

Just click the picture to the left to get started on your way to playing the Style 216 2/10 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ virtually every day!

Listen to the Mighty MidiTzer!

Below are some cuts from various Featured Artists here at Walnut Hill that will give you an idea of what the Mighty MidiTzer sounds like.

1. The Bone Doctor - Higher Ground
2. Tom Hoehn - Crazy
3. Gerhard Kletchowitz - Little Orphan Annie
4. Frank Vanaman - The One I Love