Racine Theatre Guild -- Racine, Wisconsin 2/7 Wurlitzer |
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Wurlitzer Opus 1872 started life as a two-manual, five-rank "Style 150 Special" built for Racine's Capitol Theatre in April of 1928. The original ranks contained in the organ's single chamber were: Tibia Clausa, Tuba Horn, Salicional, Concert Flute and Vox Humana. When the organ was relocated to the Theatre Guild in the early 1980's, a Salicional Celeste, and an Open Diapason were added. The organ also contains the usual battery of percussion instruments, including a Glockenspiel, Xylophone, Chrysoglott, Chimes, and a complete toy counter, which consists of the various rhythmic percussions. Wind is supplied to the organ by a five horsepower Spencer Turbine blower, and is controlled by a Z-Tronics relay system. The organ was a gift of the late Mr. Lowell McNeill to the Racine Theatre Guild, and DTOS contributed the time and expertise to remove, update, enlarge, and reinstall the organ in its present location in the Guild's playhouse. The Wurlitzer was dedicated in concert on February 21, 1982, with John Muri at the console. Mr. Muri had also played the final program on the organ before its removal from the Capitol Theatre just a short time before. DTOS, having been entrusted with the maintenance of this organ, is in the process of completing a partial rebuild, and further enlargement of its resources. The first step was to replace the Page Open Diapason with a Wurlitzer rank from our former Avalon Theatre organ, the next will be the replacement of the Salicional Celeste of unknown manufacture, again with a Wurlitzer rank already in our possession. The organ is currently playable from its original two-manual Wurlitzer console, or the "slave" console, located on the top level of the circular-shaped auditorium, since access to the Wurlitzer console is somewhat limited by stage productions. With the presence of the slave console, which was constructed by former longtime Guild organ crew chief Fred Johnson, it is possible to play the organ almost anytime there isn't something happening in the auditorium. It is our pleasure to present programs and member socials on this fine example of a small Wurlitzer organ, in an intimate, comfortable setting. Main Chamber |
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