Alabama Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society: Difference between revisions

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The American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the organs of the grand movie palaces and the music played on them.  The '''Alabama Chapter of ATOS''' was founded in [[1971]] from members of the then Southeastern Chapter.  The chapter makes its home at the [[Alabama Theatre]] in Birmingham, where it has maintained the building's Wurlitzer organ since its founding.  As the name says, it is the only ATOS chapter in the state.
The American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the organs of the grand movie palaces and the music played on them.  The '''Alabama Chapter of ATOS''' was founded in February [[1973]].  The chapter makes its home at the [[Alabama Theatre]] in Birmingham, where it has maintained the building's [[Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ|Wurlitzer organ]] since its founding.  As the name says, it is the only ATOS chapter in the state.


ATOS members found the Alabama's Wurlitzer in great disrepair during an "organ crawl" around 1970.  A group from Atlanta sought and received permission to restore it to playability.  Shortly after this, [[Jay Mitchell]], an organ instructor at [[Forbes Piano Company]], brought together a crew to work on the organ.  Mitchell was also instrumental in the formation of the Alabama Chapter.
Members of what was then the Southeastern Chapter, based in Atlanta, first began repairs on the Alabama's Wurlitzer in the mid 1960s.  The chapter later turned maintenance of the organ over to [[Jay Mitchell]], an organ instructor at [[Forbes Piano Company]], who brought together a crew of students and family to work on the organ.  This organ crew would go on to found the Alabama Chapter.


In [[1986]], when Alabama Theatre owner [[Costa and Head]] filed for bankruptcy, the Alabama Chapter tried to get permission to remove the Wurlitzer, but was denied.  So they chapter began a campaign to buy the Alabama.  The group was successful and assumed the mortgage on the Alabama in [[1987]].  It was later decided to form a special corporation to maintain the Alabama, so [[Birmingham Landmarks]] was formed, largely made up of ATOS members, and assumed the mortgage.
In [[1986]] Alabama Theatre owner [[Costa and Head]] filed for bankruptcy.  The Alabama Chapter, concerned about the future of the organ and the Alabama, began a fund-raising campaign to buy the Alabama.  The group was successful and assumed the mortgage on the Alabama in [[1987]].  It was later decided to form a special corporation to maintain the Alabama, so [[Birmingham Landmarks]] was founded, largely made up of ATOS members, and assumed the mortgage.


Today, the Alabama Chapter continues to work closely with Birmingham Landmarks to maintain the Alabama Theatre's Wurlitzer.
Today, the Alabama Chapter continues to work closely with Birmingham Landmarks to maintain the Alabama Theatre's Wurlitzer.


==References==
==References==
* Whitmire, Cecil and Jeannie Hanks. ''The Alabama Theatre: Showplace of the South''. Birmingham Landmarks, 2002. ISBN 0310975124.
* Whitmire, Cecil and Jeannie Hanks. (2002).  ''The Alabama Theatre: Showplace of the South''. Birmingham Landmarks. ISBN 0310975124.
* Ron Rhode concert flyer.  Alabama Chapter of ATOS, 30 June 1991.
* Ron Rhode concert flyer.  (June 30, 1991).  Alabama Chapter of ATOS.


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.atos.org/ ATOS website]
*[http://www.alabamatheatreorgan.com/ Alabama Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society] website
*[http://www.atos.org/ ATOS] website
 
[[Category:Arts nonprofits]]
[[Category:1973 establishments]]
[[Category:Alabama Theatre]]
[[Category:Arts nonprofits]]

Latest revision as of 09:17, 26 October 2018

The American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the organs of the grand movie palaces and the music played on them. The Alabama Chapter of ATOS was founded in February 1973. The chapter makes its home at the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham, where it has maintained the building's Wurlitzer organ since its founding. As the name says, it is the only ATOS chapter in the state.

Members of what was then the Southeastern Chapter, based in Atlanta, first began repairs on the Alabama's Wurlitzer in the mid 1960s. The chapter later turned maintenance of the organ over to Jay Mitchell, an organ instructor at Forbes Piano Company, who brought together a crew of students and family to work on the organ. This organ crew would go on to found the Alabama Chapter.

In 1986 Alabama Theatre owner Costa and Head filed for bankruptcy. The Alabama Chapter, concerned about the future of the organ and the Alabama, began a fund-raising campaign to buy the Alabama. The group was successful and assumed the mortgage on the Alabama in 1987. It was later decided to form a special corporation to maintain the Alabama, so Birmingham Landmarks was founded, largely made up of ATOS members, and assumed the mortgage.

Today, the Alabama Chapter continues to work closely with Birmingham Landmarks to maintain the Alabama Theatre's Wurlitzer.

References

  • Whitmire, Cecil and Jeannie Hanks. (2002). The Alabama Theatre: Showplace of the South. Birmingham Landmarks. ISBN 0310975124.
  • Ron Rhode concert flyer. (June 30, 1991). Alabama Chapter of ATOS.

External links

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