Theatre Organist: Barry Lesher
A native of Easton Pennsylvania, Barry has served as house organist at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, Pa., and as assistant organist at the Sunnybrook Ballroom, Pottstown, Pa. During the early to mid 1990’s he also played at Atlantic City Convention Hall. He is currently assistant organist on the 4/23 Marr and Colton at the Clemens Center for the Performing Arts in Elmira, NY.
Barry has concertized for a number of Theatre Organ groups including Garden State, South Jersey, Susquehanna, Free State, and the Hammond Organ Society. In our immediate area, he has played at the Lafayette Theatre in Suffern, NY, at the Pascack Theatre in Westwood, NJ.
A musician with varied interests, Barry plays and teaches Tuba, plays Oboe in concert and woodwind groups, plays Bass in jazz, pit, and dance bands, and plays Bass Harmonica in a small harmonica group. He has also served as Assistant Director and Arranger for a barbershop singing group, and currently assists with his church’s choir and brass ensemble.
As an accomplished musician and ardent Theatre Organ enthusiast, Barry also enjoys working on the technical side of the instruments. He has helped with the Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia, and currently devotes weekends to various organ restoration projects at the L.A. Peckham and Son Organ Company, in Elmira, NY. He also assists with the maintenance of the Clemens Center organ in Elmira. Barry manages to do all this while holding down a full time position in the construction / mechanical services industry.
He states his musical philosophy as follows: “I do what I can to help preserve ALL organs and their music, as well as to help and encourage young people (or anyone for that matter) with their interest and development in music”.
Source: Sept. 2002 GSTOS Pedals and Pipes Newsletter
