ATOS | Ah, Ya Gotta Love Rumors!

News: Ah, Ya Gotta Love Rumors!

Post date:

Wednesday, April 4th 2018

While the rumor-mill now runs 24/7 thanks to Facebook, Twitter and much more on social media, it is indeed often based on rumor which is often as far removed from fact as the motor oil known as margarine is from butter. And in the world of ATOS, do we LOVE rumors!

Let’s focus on one particular theatre pipe organ. If one believes what has been on Facebook and throughout “our world” over the past couple of years, this organ suffers horribly from dead notes; filthy chambers with pipes askew and laying on the floor; console locked away in a closet and seldom played; and in generally terrible condition.

A first-hand visit tells an entirely different story, and once again suggests “Reader Beware” when visiting the rumor mill.

The organ in question? Shea’s Buffalo Theatre’s spectacular Wurlitzer. It will be featured at the 2019 ATOS Annual Convention, hosted by the Rochester Theatre Organ Society. Since I was going to be in the area to perform at the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda, working with RTOS’ Russ Shaner and Paul Law who are co-chairs of the convention, we arranged an afternoon in an empty theatre with that glorious organ.

Russ Shaner has already posted some updates on Facebook. Allow me to offer some actual, real FACTS about what we found:

Running every entire scale on every rank, we found a grand total of 11 dead notes, certainly no sign of any instrument in ruin

Touring each of the four chambers found the condition to be quite good. Some dirt, but no piles of trash; no pipes laying on their sides; no evidence of individuals who do not belong in pipe chambers hanging around

The overall sound of the organ still maintains its incredibly special qualities, while at the same time, some work on trems is needed

Some tonal finishing on some of the reeds is necessary, but it has been years since that was a priority item, and as said, the overall ensemble sound is still spectacular

One area that will demand attention is the console, where the combination action needs attention; stop actions need some attention; and the pedal board needs some attention

The current curator/technician is Jason D. Klinger, and the evidence indicates the Wurlitzer is in most capable hands.

Shea’s management, including new President Michael Murphy and COO Robert Brunschmid were in attendance, Murphy spending more than an hour with us to discuss the organ. Understand something else that needs correcting. This instrument does not sit in a closet. More than 80 times a year, the organ is heard by audiences prior to Shea’s Broadway shows, and for other special events. That is a commitment from management ATOS wishes was omnipresent at our major theatres.

More than that, Mr. Murphy and Mr. Brunschmidt are aware that the organ needs attention, and discussions about step-by-step repairs and upgrades are underway.
The short-term needs to have the organ fully concert-ready for the 2019 convention will take priority so that not only will that spectacularly distinctive sound emanate from those glorious chambers, the artists will have a fine functioning console with which to make music.

I hope that answers those erroneous rumors about Shea’s Buffalo and its singular Wurlitzer. Next issue, I’ll address the ridiculously hilarious rumors about the Atlanta Fox and Mighty Mo.

Ken Double

by:
Ken Double