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The J. Tyson Forker Memorial
4/32 Mighty WurliTzer
Theatre Pipe Organ

Click here to download a 2032 x 1534 JPG image looking at the keydesk of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ installed at Grace Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida.
Looking at the keydesk of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial
4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ.



The first organ to be featured is the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ installed at Grace Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida. This is a big instrument with a myriad of tonal flavors, full MIDI implementation, a concert grand piano playable from the console, and a well equipped toy counter.

Click here to download a 2048 x 1536 JPG image showing the stop sweep of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial Organ at Grace Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida.
The stop sweep of theJ. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ

One of our featured artists, Tom Hoehn, gets to play this organ regularly. We are currently mastering a record for Tom here at Walnut Hill Productions, wherein he performed on this beautiful golden voiced Mighty WurliTzer.



A Bit Of History

Commentary provided by Gene Stroble


Click here to download an 800 x 809 JPG image showing the beautiful Ken Crome console of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial Organ at Grace Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida, pattered after the Empire Organ that Jessie Crawford loved so much.
The custom Ken Chrome replica console of the
J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ
installed at Grace Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida
Photo by Norman Arnold, courtisy MTOS

WurliTzer Opus 1569 began it's life in the Florida Theatre in Jacksonville, Florida. It was premiered in 1927 by non other than Bob Mitchell, who is profiled on the ATOS Journal May 2005 issue.

It fell into disuse during the 1950's and eventually found it's way to the care of Bob Andre, Miami, Florida, who had it set up in one of his moving and storage business warehouses. One end of this warehouse he decorated as a "Theatre."

Click here to download a 2032 x 1534 JPG image showing the home of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ installed at Grace Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida.
Home of the J. Tyson Forker
Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ
Grace Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida

Opus 1569 is now in the loving hands of the Manasota Chapter of the ATOS, and will be one of the featured organs during the 2006 ATOS convention.

There are more details about the organ, the theatre, the organists who played, and a historical fiction novel about the era of the Theatre Organ in Jacksonville on my web-site at:

The Glorious Sound, A Net Novelette



Featured Recordings


Tom Hoehn - Sounds of Grace

This one-of-a-kind instrument has been featured on many recordings by the best artists in the TPO business. Fellow Walnut Hill VTPO members Chaz Bender, webmaster of TheatrePipeOrgans.com and CinemaOrgans.com, and Tom Hoehn, our very own nationally acclaimed organist gets to play this organ regulary. Further down this page can be found some great selections for downloading from these Featured Artists. Below are some selected recordings which belong in your collection. Be sure to get them all.

Click here to purchase Tom Hoehn's Sounds of Grace CD.

This is what the front cover of Tom Hoehn's CD, Sounds of Grace looks like. After a long wait, this album is now available for purchase. To learn more about this highly anticipated collection of inspirational music, click here.

Tom has put a lot of hard work and money into this record and we are very proud to be involved in its production, as well as being able to offer it for sale in our General Store on the Featured Merchandise page.




Jelani Eddington - Sarasota Spectacular!

Click here to buy a copy of the Sarasota Spectacular! CD by Jelany Eddington.

Jelani Eddington has a great album entitled Sarasota Spectacular! that features this beautiful example of WurliTzer craftsmanship. This recording is a must-have addition to any TPO buff's collection. To purchase a copy of this fine recording, click here.

Below is a review by Lew Williams:

Jelani Eddington's latest CD comes to us from one of the finest organs on the American scene today, the 4/32 Mighty Wurlitzer at Grace Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida.

Click here to download a 2032 x 1534 JPG image showing a close up of the the keydesk of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ installed at Grace Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida.
Keydesk of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial
4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ

The majority of the instrument first saw life as a 3/15 in the Florida Theatre, Jacksonville. It was in the Miami home of Robert Andre for a number of years before making the move to Sarasota in 1996 with the generous support of J. Tyson Forker, successful publisher and former theatre organist.

A new custom four-manual replica console from Ken Crome arrived on the scene in 1999, and the organ was premiered at the magnificent Grace Baptist Church, its new home, in April of 2000.

Click here to download a 2032 x 1534 JPG image showing the dedication plaque on the left bolster of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ installed at Grace Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida.
The dedication plaque on the left bolster of the
J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ

Sadly, Mr. Forker did not live to see that day, but daughter Carole Scutt helped make sure that the project was completed under the capable hands of Allen Miller and Norman Arnold. The instrument was dedicated to Mister Forker and his dear wife, Margaret, on April 29, 2000.

Click here to download a 1536 x 2032 JPG image showing Norman Arnold working on the console of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ.
Lead Technician Norman Arnold working on the console of
the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ.

Mr. Arnold, it must be told, worked for months regulating the manual action to perfection, making this instrument one of the most sensitive to touch control.

Click here to download a 2048 x 1536 JPG mage showing the inside of the console of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ.
Looking at the wiring inside the console of the
J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ.

Allen Miller, long one of the finest organ men around, has produced an organ of seamless ensembles, beautiful solo stops, and excellent tonal percussions and traps. It serves equally well as a refined church instrument or a high-kicking showgirl at concert time.

Click here to download a 2032 x 1534 JPG image showing the keydesk of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ installed at Grace Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida.
The keydesk of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial
4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ

Jelani Eddington brings to the console all of the finest musical qualities, and one can truthfully say that, with him, perfection is only the point of departure. He has chosen a varied program of mostly familiar music, all played with elegance, finesse, and authority.

The lavish 16-page booklet has plenty of photos, history, and a full description of the music. Knowledgeable organ buffs will also be pleased to see a number of "listening tips" in Jelani's notes, pointing out interesting registrations and techniques along the way.



A Closer Look At The Console


We are fortunate to get close to the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ on a regular basis. Therefore, we can take as many photographs as we want, along with recording the instrument at our leasure. Below are some of the shots culled from the hundreds we have taken so far.

Click here to download a 2032 x 1534 JPG image showing the left bolster of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ.
Close up of the left bolster of the
J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ

Here, we see the left stop bolster, showing the Pedal stops and some of the Accompaniment stops. The tongues are made by Hesco and are attached to real Syndynes that have a lightning fast action and are easy to toggle manually. Note the white engraving on the red tongues, making them very easy to read in dim light. Also note the key that turns on the blowers and the console.

Click here to download a 2032 x 1534 JPG image showing the left bolster curve of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ.
Close up of the left bolster curve of the
J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ

Here, we see the left bolster curving around toward the center and back rail, containing the Accompaniment stops and some of the Great stops. This curve is of the perfect radial dimension for the average sized human and makes getting to the stops extremely confortable and quick.

Click here to download a 2032 x 1534 JPG image showing the center bolster of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ.
Close up of the center bolster of the
J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ

Here, we see the center bolster full of Great stops and the fall board below with full size tongues on the back rail. Note the many Tremulants, Generals and a wealth of Second Touch voices, avaiable on the Accompaniment and the Great manuals.

Click here to download a 2032 x 1534 JPG image showing the right bolster curve of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ.
Close up of the right bolster curve of the
J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ

Here, we see the right bolster curving around from the center and back rail, containing the rest of the Great stops and the some of the Solo stops. Again, the curve is nice for quick and effortless access to all the tongues.

Click here to download a 2032 x 1534 JPG image showing the right bolster of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ.
Close up of the right bolster of the
J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ

Here, we see the right bolster containing the rest of the Solo stops and the Bombarde stops. Note the three digit LED display for the Moving Combination Action memory levels and the key used to turn on memory access.

Click here to download a 2032 x 1534 JPG image showing the keydesk of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ as seen from floor level.
Looking up at the keydesk of the
J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ

Here, we see the keydesk of this mighty instrument as viewed from the floor level of the sancuary. In this picture, one can appreciate the sheer size of this massive console.

Click here to download a 2032 x 1534 JPG image showing the stop sweep of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ installed at Grace Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida.
Looking down at the stop sweep of the
J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ

Here, we stood on a ladder and looked down on the console to get a shot of the stop sweep bristling with hundreds of stop tongues. Note the graceful curve of the bolster, done in the Empire style and finished in a five step antiquing process to give the look and feel of old walnut, a Ken Crome masterpiece, indeed!



The Bone Doctor's Music Downloads


Free music downloads from The Bone Doctor!

Click here to download a 2048 x 1536 JPG image of the Bone Doctor at the console of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ installed at Grace Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida.
The happy camper, indeed!

  1. Bring It On Home To Me
    File size = 4.34MB, playing time = 4:41, bit rate = 128K/sec.
  2. Every Knee Shall Bow
    File size = 3.38MB, playing time = 3:46, bit rate = 128K/sec.
  3. The Flapper Medley
    File size = 5.07MB, playing time = 5:30, bit rate = 128K/sec.
  4. How Tasteless The Hours
    File size = 2.40MB, playing time = 2:35, bit rate = 128K/sec.
  5. It Ain't No Thaing
    File size = 3.40MB, playing time = 3:41, bit rate = 128K/sec.
  6. Lord Lift Me Up To Higher Ground
    File size = 2.68MB, playing time = 2:54, bit rate = 128K/sec.
  7. Love Lifted Me
    File size = 3.47MB, playing time = 3:45, bit rate = 128K/sec.
  8. My Walking Stick
    File size = 3.88MB, playing time = 4:12, bit rate = 128K/sec.
  9. Never Grow Old
    File size = 3.49MB, playing time = 3:46, bit rate = 128K/sec.
  10. Norwegian Wood
    File size = 3.04MB, playing time = 3:17, bit rate = 128K/sec.
  11. Playing Hop Scotch
    File size = 3.45MB, playing time = 3:44, bit rate = 128K/sec.
  12. Rock Of Ages
    File size = 2.20MB, playing time = 2:22, bit rate = 128K/sec.
  13. Struttin' The Strutt
    File size = 2.79MB, playing time = 3:01, bit rate = 128K/sec.
  14. The Tennessee Waltz
    File size = 3.56MB, playing time = 3:50, bit rate = 128K/sec.
  15. Wildwood Flower
    File size = 2.63MB, playing time = 2:50, bit rate = 128K/sec.
  16. You Are My Flower
    File size = 3.34MB, playing time = 3:29, bit rate = 128K/sec.



Chaz Bender's Music Downloads


Free music downloads from Chaz Bender!

Click here to download a 640 x 480 JPG image of Chaz Bender at the console of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ installed at Crace Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida.
Chaz Bender at the console of the
J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ
installed at Grace Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida.

  1. I'm In The Mood For Love
    File size = 3.58MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec, playing time = 3:52
  2. The One I Love
    File size = 3.11MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec, playing time = 3:22
  3. I Hadn't Anyone Till You
    File size = 4.25MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec, playing time = 4:36
  4. We'll Meet Again!
    File size = 2.70MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec, playing time = 2:55
  5. Exactly Like You
    File size = 2.54MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec, playing time = 2:44
  6. Melody Of Love
    File size = 2.54MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec, playing time = 2:44
  7. A Pretty Girl Is Just Like A Melody
    File size = 2.68MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec, playing time = 2:55
  8. Whispering and Pennies From Heaven
    File size = 3.91MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec, playing time = 4:13
  9. The Touch of Your Lips
    File size=2.78MB, bit rate=128KB/sec, playing time = 3:00



Tom Hoehn's Music Downloads


Free music downloads from Tom Hoehn!

Click here to download a 2048 x 1536 JPG image of Tom Hoehn at the console of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ installed at Grace Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida.
Tom Hoehn at the console of the
J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer

Below are fifteen selections from Tom playing the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ at Grace Baptist Church, Sarasota, Florida.

  1. Chattanooga Choo Choo
    Playing time = 3:06, file size = 2.88MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
  2. Crazy
    Playing time = 3:58, file size = 3.68MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
  3. Cumana
    Playing time = 2:30, file size = 2.33MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
  4. High Hopes
    Playing time = 2:40, file size = 2.48MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
  5. Let There Be Peace On Earth
    Playing time = 5:06, file size = 4.71MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
  6. Mancini Medley-Pink Panther and Moon River
    Playing time = 10:14, file size = 9.45MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
  7. Maple Leaf Rag
    Playing time = 2:59, file size = 2.77MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
  8. Rise and Shine
    Playing time = 1:33, file size = 1.46MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
  9. Seventy-Six Trombones
    Playing time = 5:23, file size = 4.98MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
  10. Showboat Medley, Version 1
    Playing time = 9:10, file size = 8.46MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
  11. Showboat Medley, Version 2
    Playing time = 15:18, file size = 14.10MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
  12. The Perfect Song
    Playing time = 3:05, file size = 2.87MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
  13. Theme From The Apartment
    Playing time = 3:55, file size = 3.62MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
  14. Song from the Moulin Rouge
    Playing time = 4:07, file size = 3.82MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
  15. Valentines Day Medley
    Playing time = 8:54, file size = 8.22MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.



Tom Hoehn's Christmas Music


Free music downloads from Tom Hoehn!

Click here to download a 2582 x 1945 JPG image showing Tom Hoehn at the console of the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ installed at Grace Baptist Church in Sarasota, Florida.
Tom Hoehn rehearsing the day before his concert
for the monthly MTOS meeting on December 18th, 2005.

On December 17th, 2005 Tom Hoehn went to Grace Baptist Church to rehearse for his concert for the monthly MTOS meeting on December 18th, the following day.

The Walnut Hill Productions crew went along and took some pictures and recorded the event. Below are some tracks from Tom's rehearsal session at the J. Tyson Forker Memorial 4/32 Mighty WurliTzer Theatre Pipe Organ.

  1. The Christmas Song
    Playing time = 5:54, file size = 5.44MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
  2. Silver Bells
    Playing time = 6:05, file size = 5.61MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.
  3. White Christmas
    Playing time = 4:21, file size = 4.02MB, bit rate = 128KB/sec.



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