Photo: Bob Martin, May 5, 2008

Welcome !

Garden State Theatre Organ Society (GSTOS) was founded in 1973 to preserve the historic tradition of the Theatre Pipe Organ in American music. Based in northern and north-central New Jersey, we restore remaining specimens of the instrument where possible, encourage theatres to preserve them, and showcase them to the public for entertainment.

We are one of the many nationwide chapters of the American Theatre Organ Society and have over 225 members. Members get together for monthly events at theatres, other businesses, and homes.

GSTOS owns 4 Theatre Pipe Organs and maintains a total of seven. In addition, a number of our members have pipe or electronic theatre organs in their homes.

The Garden State Theatre Organ Society, Inc. is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501(c)(3) Corporation. Contributions to further the Society’s goals are tax deductible.

Members have many interests, for example:

Listening to theatre organ music
Making music at the organ console
Mechanical and electrical aspects of theatre organs
American history & nostalgia

News

New Video - Loew's Jersey Wonder Morton

April 6, 2008

"Toot Toot Tootsie" played by Ralph Ringstad at the March 29, 2008 GSTOS/NYTOS meeting.
Video: Mike O'Brien

Organ Featured For Pre-Show

March 29, 2008 - Click on the movie poster for full size PDF version.

Wonder Morton - Slave Manual Plays Again

February 9, 2008

This Robert-Morton manual was found on the right side of the Loew's Jersey orchestra pit when an extra floor covering the pit was removed. It still had the organ cable attached. The manual has 10 pistons, a red cancel piston, and four Morton rocker switches. Originally it contained two metal levers that appeared to control the swell shades. Crew Chief Bob Martin restored the manual. It now contains z-tronics relay boards and a wireless MIDI transmitter and can be used to remotely play the Wonder Morton. Photos: Bob Martin.


Before	After

Theatre Pipe Organ, What´s that?

The Theatre Pipe Organ was developed in the early 1900's by Robert Hope-Jones to replace expensive live orchestras that accompanied silent films. Playable by only one person, it is called a "unit orchestra" because it contains many ranks of pipes that imitate a full range of orchestral instruments, as well as real percussions and sound effects.

The sound is unmatched! From the power of a symphony orchestra, to the whisper of a single flute or violin, the Theatre Pipe Organ fascinates and thrills all who hear it.

Theatre Organs can play virtually any type of music from classical, to 1930’s music, modern popular music, show tunes, movie scores and jazz.

Want to see and hear a theatre pipe organ? Here are some examples on YouTube that illustrate the many types of music that can be made on theatre organs. These links are provided as an educational resource. If you like these examples you are encouraged to take advantage of the frequent opportunities in and around NJ to hear theatre organs at live events.

Jelani Eddington - "Of Thee I Sing" Gershwin standard on the Wurlitzer organ
Jelani Eddington - "William Tell Overture" (Lone Ranger Theme) orchestral transcription on the Wurlitzer
Lew Williams - "Phantom of the Opera" songs on the Organ Stop Pizza Wurlitzer Organ
Jim Riggs - "Dance of the Blue Danube" Duet: Wurlitzer Organ and Steinway Piano
Rick Wakeman of rock band "Yes" plays the Radio City Music Hall Wurlitzer Organ
Don Reasons, singer Sandra Kaye, & drummer Rodrigo Villanueva plays a jazzy "All Of Me" on a Robert-Morton Organ
Keith Fortune - big band music on the Theatre Organ at the Oaks Park Roller Rink (organ pipes on the ceiling)
Fats Waller plays and sings "Ain't Misbehavin" Estey Organ
Dance music with the Tower Ballroom Wurlitzer, Blackpool, UK (notice the organ's sound easily fills the large ballroom)

The sound of theatre organs is shaped by the space they are in. Often they lived in spacious movie palaces, where their sound could swirl around, reverberate, and mix. Pure sonic delight! A prime example of such a movie palace in NJ is the 3100 seat Landmark Loew's Jersey Theatre in Jersey City built in 1929. A group called Friends of the Loew's is renovating the theatre and GSTOS is installing a "Wonder Morton" theatre pipe organ, almost exactly like the one originally there.

GSTOS Contact Information

President Edward W. Fritz 973-694-5173	Vice President & Program Chairman Michael Cipolletti 732-899-1588	Secretary Marilyn F. Fitz 973-773-9235
Treasurer Catharine Oliver 732-528-5895	Program Committee	Publicity Carole Rustako 732-741-4045
Newsletter Editor John Becica 610-438-3567	Hospitality Barbara Bacon	Web Site Paul Jacyk 419-726-5378

Become a member of GSTOS - Membership Info