News about ATOS and the world of Theatre Organ internationally.
Jack's passion for the theatre organ started at the age of 10 after seeing YouTube videos of Robert Wolfe at the Thursford Collection. In the summer of 2019, his parents took him to visit the collection to hear a theatre organ for the first time. In 2021, he visited the Astoria Centre in Barnsley where he was able to finally play a theatre organ for the first time.
It is with great excitement that we announce that the Shanklin Music Hall will become the permanent headquarters for the American Theatre Organ Society, providing a venue for education, concerts, workshops, and a home to the ATOS archives. Over the next few years, the Shanklin Music Hall Foundation will be working with the ATOS to facilitate this transition.
Registration is now open for the ATOS Summer Youth Adventure July 12 - 18, in Milwaukee, Winsconsin.
Instruments include the Carma Labs 4/90 Symphonic Organ, The Sanfilippo 5/80 Wurlitzer, and the Oriental Theatre 3/15 Wurlitzer.
Encourage any student with some keyboard experience to register!
BBC Radio 2 legend Nigel Ogden, known for his show, "The Organist Entertains," passed away on January 27. He presented the BBC Radio 2 program between 1980 and 2018.
On behalf of the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS), we cordially invite all members who have maintained continuous membership in good standing for at least the last two years to consider applying for one of three (3) open positions on our Board of Directors for the 2026-2029 term.
If you missed the Zoom session on September 28th with ideas on how to effectively fundraise, create awareness, and advertise, you can now view the full recording of the conference call here.
Ideas shared included: How to create excitement on social media, secure grant money, and effectively advertise for upcoming events .
The dates for the ATOS 2026 convention are set for July 6 - 10.
You can view the preview video now!
Students from the 2025 ATOS Summer Youth Adventure present final performances on the 3/26 Wurlitzer in the Elsinore Theatre, Salem, Oregon. Ability levels during the week range from beginning keyboard students that have never touched a theatre organ, to returning players with several years of experience.
I am pleased to officially announce the Officers of the American Theatre Organ Society for 2025-26
Chairman - Shawn Kenney
Vice Chairman - William Webber
Secretary - Luke Staisiunas
Treasurer - Dave Calendine
Congratulations to all and best of luck!
Taylor Trimby
The Nominations and Elections Committee is pleased to announce the results of the ATOS Board of Directors election:
New ATOS Board Members
John Apple (2027)
Jonathan Kleefield (2028)
Bernie McGorrey (2026)
ATOS Board Members Re-elected
Bill Campbell (2028)
Bill Webber (2028)
