President's Update

Greetings to you all,

I am writing from lovely San Diego where I will meet with chapter officials of the Theatre Organ Society of San Diego later today, and then prepare for a Sunday concert on the Wurlitzer at Trinity Church.

The main reason for my message today is not so much what is going on with me now, but what I hope will be going on with you in July. In the next few days, you will be receiving your May-June issue of Theatre Organ, and you will find the information for our Philadelphia/Wilmington-based convention, dubbed “SOMETHING BIG!”

I want to pass along some information for those of you who perhaps are waffling a bit on whether to go or not. The list of those already signed up to attend is amazing – over 400 as of now – which is nearly 35% ahead of the normal sign up rate for this time period. The details on the artist lineup, the schedule and the gargantuan organs to be heard is provided in this issue (as it has been for the previous two issues).

While the Overture event at Wanamakers/Macy’s is indeed sold out, the daily concerts by Peter Conte will go on as normal, thus everyone will have a chance to hear the great organ at Macy’s. The Encore event at Atlantic City with the one-of-a-kind Midmer-Losh is proving to be very popular. The duet concert at Dickinson with Simon Gledhill and Richard Hills, the return of Hector, the first experience with the Colonial Wurlitzer and so much more will make this a spectacular convention musically.

While the headquarters hotel is sold out, accommodations at the Marriott Residence Inn are indeed available at attractive rates, and it is very close to the Doubletree Hotel and to Macy’s. You will still be right in the middle of all the action of the convention.

The website has specific information on parking for those who might be driving in and wish to avoid paying the daily parking at the hotels. For those flying in, there are also tips on ground transportation from the airport to the hotel, including rail transport for as little as $8.00. Click over to www.atos.org for that, and watch the website for other timely hints for you travelers.

Note this reminder: the registration rate will increase June 1st, so act now to take advantage of the savings!

Every indication is this will be the best-attended ATOS convention in years. We encourage you to join your fellow-ATOS members for a great week in The Birthplace of the Nation at the Fourth of July time.
Signing up could not be more safe, secure and simple. Take care of it in a matter of minutes online at the website with your credit card, and get your way to Philadelphia for “SOMETHING BIG!” It’s going to be a great convention.

While looking forward to that travel in July, I will get home from this trip next week in time to hit the road Thursday for Joliet, IL, and Lafayette, IN; back up to Lafayette June 6 for my 33rd annual concert at Long Center; June 14 I will premiere the completely-rebuilt console of the magnificent Page Organ at the Embassy Theatre in Ft. Wayne; and then off to Philly. We’ll chat again soon!

--Ken
Ken Double, President/CE