PPAC ANNOUNCES THE FALL 2005
press release
Providence, RI
- The Providence Performing Arts Center presents the Fall schedule of the Wonders of the Wurlitzer organ concerts this September and October. The concerts run from 12Noon –1P and are free and open to the public.Wonders of the Wurlitzer is a time-honored tradition in the City of Providence; people of all ages are welcome to attend and enjoy local organists demonstrating the impressive sounds of this rare and mighty instrument. The concerts are scheduled throughout the Spring and Fall and are
supported by Providence Performing Arts Center’s Annual Fund donors and our sponsor.
Fall Wonders of the Wurlitzer schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, September 14
Wednesday, September 21
Wednesday, September 28
Monday, October 3
The concerts are from 12Noon – 1P and are free to the public. Patrons are welcome to bring a bag lunch; complimentary beverages will be provided. For additional information, call (401) 421-ARTS or visit www.ppacri.org for details and updates.
Theatre organs, like the Wurlitzer, were originally designed to replace theatre orchestras. The console has five keyboards and 21 stops (or settings) that will produce the many instrumental sounds found in a full orchestra, including string, bass, woodwinds, drums, cymbals, xylophone and glockenspiel. The Wurlitzer organ is also capable of producing many different sound effects, such as thunder and a doorbell, used when accompanying silent films. Operated by a single artist, any ordinary organ concert can be magically transformed into a majestic symphony.
In the early years of the Providence Performing Arts Center, organ music was an integral part of performances. The Theatre’s first organ, a Morton, remained with the Theatre until the hurricanes of 1938 and 1954, which flooded downtown Providence. During those two storms, the organ sustained severe damage and had to be removed from the Theatre in 1956, ending the era of organ music in the Theatre. On January 28th, 1982 the lost era was reborn when the Theatre purchased the 5/21 Wurlitzer organ that resides in the Theatre today. Originally from Chicago’s Marbro Theatre, the Providence Performing Arts Center’s Wurlitzer organ was built in 1927 and is one of three of its type ever built.
The schedule for the Spring Wonders of the Wurlitzer organ concerts will be announced at a later date.
