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Wurlitzer Organ at The Orion Centre,Campsie

On 1st October,1988 The Wurlitzer Organ, Opus 1813, was first played at the newly refurbished Orion Centre in Campsie, New South Wales.

Early years at the Capitol Theatre On 15 December, 1927, Opus 1813 left the Wurlitzer factory in North Tonawanda, USA, its destination being for installation in the Union Theatre's latest "Monument to the Motion Picture" ... the Capitol Theatre, Sydney. Imported by W.A.Crowie Pty.,the Wurlitzer Style 260 was the second instrument of its size to be installed in an Australian theatre. It contained 15 ranks of pipes and all the usual percussions,including an upright piano, and all were controlled from a three manual console. The Sydney Morning Herald's review of the theatre's opening reads: "The speeches finished, a burst of delighted applause greeted the entry of the orchestra which was hoisted up on its platform from a deep pit, playing vigorously. It proved itself an efficient body of musicians. Then after a news film had been presented, Mr Fred Scholl gave a series of pieces on the WurliTzer organ, he also shooting up unexpectedly from the instrument to possess a full and finely impressive tone, which rang forth vibrantly in the huge building without seeming to blare. In his jazz number, Mr Scholl was obviously at tremendous pains to see how many curios and unusual stops he could use, and for those who love novelty for its own sake the effect, though wild in the extreme, probably seemed very stimulating. The 'Love Call' from Rose Marie showed the capacity of the organ in softly sentimental mood. Fred Scholl was commissioned from America to open the organ" Over the years, the following names have been associated with the Capitol WurliTzer: Arnold Coleman, Knight Barnett, Billy Dick, Renee Lees, Walter Ailliffe, Mamy Aarons, Dennis Palmistra and Jean Penhall, who was the last resident organist. The arrival of television in 1956 caused a cut back in cinema presentation and as a result, the Mighty Wurlitzer fell silent. With an inspection early in 1963, it soon became apparent the organ was in poor condition. T.O.S.A Adoption At this point T.O.S.A. (Theatre Organ Society of Australia) decided to 'adopt' the organ and necessary repairs were carried out. Through the co-operation of the manager, Mr Alf Shaw, T.O.S.A. was allowed to use the organ on Saturday mornings. It was also played by some of the well known organist members of T.O.S.A. at some of the film presentations. Tony Fenelon's first appearance for T.O.S.A. on a theatre pipe organ in Sydney, was at the Capital Theatre in February 1968. With high running costs and declining patronage, Greater Union decided not to renew their lease on the Capitol 1 and the organ was offered for sale to T.O.S.A. (NSW Division), this offer was of course accepted and the organ ownership changed hands. On 5 February, 1972, the final recital took place with the participation of no less than ten organists. The instrument was moved over the next few weeks.

Move to the Orion Centre, Campsie

After nearly eleven years of unsuccessful attempts at finding a home for the organ, it was learned in mid 1983 that Canterbury City Council was planning to refurbish as a Community Hall the long-closed Orion Cinema in Beamish Street, Campsie. Canterbury City Council approached T.O.S.A. and after much negotiation was successful in acquiring the Wurlitzer. Council was to provide adequate chamber space under the stage as well as storage facilities at no cost to the Society. Restoration work on the organ was being carried out by members of T.O.S.A. Canterbury City Council employed organ builder, John Parker from Auckland in New Zealand, on a full-time basis to head the massive restoration project. It was impractical to re-use the original pneumatic relay and switch stacks. A Devtronix Solid State Computer system was then purchased from the USA to control the functions of the organ and to offer new possibilities to the organist. An English Horn and Solo String Celeste have been added as well as extending the top octave of the Diapason, Tibia and Solo String. Several prominent Australian and US organists had an input towards the full specifications. Orion Centre Opening Concert Finally, after lying idle and in pieces in members' homes for 16 years from 1972, the organ which had entertained audiences for more than four decades at the Capitol Theatre was played in its opening concert at the Orion Centre on 1 October 1988. The concert was called 'Pipedreams'. Mr Ian Davies was the last person to play the organ at the Capitol Theatre, and he was one of the performers at the Orion Centre's opening concert. The opening took the form of a mini-convention, with three separate concerts featuring the organ. At the opening concert one of the performers was quoted as saying: 'the sound is totally enveloping', 'it's a one person orchestra''. Specifications Chamber Analysis Main: Tuba Horn 16" - 8' Diaphonic Diapason 16' - 4' Concert Flute 16' - 2' Viol d'Orchestre 8' - 2' Viol Celeste 8' - 4' Clarinet 8' Vox Humana 8' Chrysoglott Solo: Tibia Clausa 16' - 2' Solo String 8' - 2' Solo String Celeste 8' - 4' English Post Horn 8' Brass Trumpet 8' Saxophone 8' Oboe Horn 8' Orchestral Oboe 8' Kinura 8' Quintadena 8' Marimba Harp Xylophone Glockenspiel Cathedral Chimes Sleigh Bells Non-tonal Percussions, Traps, and Effects Unenclosed: Piano ________________________________________