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PPAC Announces Spring 2008 "Wonders of the Wurlitzer" Organ Concerts
PROVIDENCE, RI: The Providence Performing Arts Center is pleased to announce the Spring 2008 schedule for the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island Wonders of the Wurlitzer organ concerts this April, May, and June. The concerts run from Noon - 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 and rich 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
sponsors.
The Spring 2008 Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island Wonders of the
Wurlitzer Organ Concerts schedule, with organists, is as follows:
Monday, April 21, with Patrick Aiken
Monday, April 28, with Jack Cook
Monday, May 12, with Len Beyersdorfer
Monday, May 19, with Jim and Linda Duncan
Wednesday, May 28, with Alden Mitchell
Wednesday, June 4, with Robert Legon and Silent Film
The concerts are from Noon - 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 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. PPAC'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 in 1956, ending the era of organ music in the Theatre. On January
28th, 1982 the lost era was reborn when PPAC 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 only three of its type ever built.
The schedule for the Fall 2008 Wonders of the Wurlitzer organ concerts will be
announced at a later date.
Tickets for all shows can be purchased at PPAC's Box Office window, online at www.ppacri.org, or by calling (401) 421-ARTS. Discounted admission is available for groups of 20 or more; for more information, contact groups@ppacri.org or by calling (401) 574-3162.