3/17 WURLITZER Style 260

Announced in the Sydney newspapers on December 17, 1927 was the fact that: "Union Theatres Ltd have purchased an orchestral organ in America for installation in the new Capitol Theatre now being erected in Sydney. It has been constructed by Wurlitzer and contains 173 orchestral and organ effects and cost $42 000."

The Capitol opened on Easter Saturday 1928, with american organist Fred Scholl at the console of Wurlitzer Opus 1813, a three manual, 15 rank Style 260. Ranks were Tuba Horn, Diaphonic Diapason, Clarinet, Viol d'Orchestre, Viol Celeste, Flute, Vox Humana, Brass Trumpet, Brass Saxophone, Tibia Clausa, Oboe Horn, Orchestral Oboe, Kinura, Solo String and Quintadena.

Scholl apparently had a liking for Krumet pipes, so the Saxophone rank was exchanged for the Krumet rank of the Adelaide Regent theatre sometime during the organ's early days, although the stop tabs were unchanged.

The organ was used until the middle of 1957 when it was closed down, and sat gathering dust. It was 'adopted' by TOSA members in 1963 who got it into playing condition again. Greater Union allowed TOSA to hold organ concerts to be presented early on Saturday mornings up until the Capitol was closed in 1972, when TOSA was given the first option to buy the organ.

Without having anywhere to put it, nevertheless TOSA made the purchase and removed the organ into storage where it remained for 16 years until the Orion Centre, a former Theatre in the Sydney suburb of Campsie was found to be a suitable venue. Headed by New Zealand Organ Builder John Parker, TOSA members restored and installed the organ, adding an English Post Horn and a Solo String Celeste to bring the ranks to 17.

The inaugural concert at the Orion was on October 1, 1988. Interestingly, when a Dennison Saxophone was acquired, the Krumet was removed and installed in the Marrickville Wurlitzer.

Main chamber ranks: Tuba Horn 16' - 8' ; Diaphonic Diapason 16' - 4' ; Concert Flute 16' - 2' ; Viol d'Orchestre 8' - 2' ;
Viol Celeste 8' -4' ; Clarinet 8' ; Vox Humana 8' ; Chrysoglott

Solo chamber ranks: Tibia Clausa 16' - 2' ; Solos String 8' - 2' ; Solo String Celeste 8' - 4' ; English Post Horn 8' ;
Brass Trumpet 8' ; Saxophone 8' ; Oboe Horn 8' ; Orchestral Oboe 8' ; Kinura 8' ; Quintadena 8' ; Marimba Harp ; Xylophone ;
Glockenspiel ; Cathedral Chimes ; Sleigh Bells ; Non-tonal Percussions, Traps and Effects

Unenclosed: Wurlitzer Piano

2/11 WURLITZER Style H Special

Installed in The Prince Edward Theatre in Sydney in November 1924, Opus 875 was used to accompany silent films until sound movies came along. It was was built as a ten-rank organ for three chambers. But only two chambers were constructed in the theatre. The ten ranks were Harmonic Tuba, Tibia Clausa, Orchestral Oboe, Kinura, Clarinet, Open Diapason, Salicional, Voix Celeste, Flute, and Vox Humana. The american organist Eddie Horton was engaged for the opening.

The organ was played constantly at movie sessions until the theatre closed in 1964 and TOSA bought the organ whilst seaching for a suitable venue in which a Theatre Pipe Organ could be installed. Marrickville Town Hall was deemed suitable, and TOSA members spent three years refurbishing and installing it. The Krumet which Fred Scholl had brought from the Adelaide Regent to the Capitol Theatre Wurlitzer was eventually installed into this organ, bringing the number of ranks to 11.

Whenever people talked about the 'Golden Days of Theatre Organ in Sydney' it was this very organ played by Noreen Hennessy that was mostly mentioned, and fondly remembered. And so it was deja vu when, on November 27, 1968, Noreen, together with well-known Australian organist Ian Davies played a grand reopening concert with the proceeds going to the Childrens' Medical Research Foundation.

This organ is world famous and very highly regarded as one of the best two manual Theatre Organs anywhere.

Main chamber ranks: Open Diapason 16' - 4' ; Concert Flute 16' - 2' ; Salicional 8' - 2' ; Voix Celeste 8' - 4' ; English Horn 8' ;
Clarinet 8' ; Chrysoglott

Solo chamber ranks: Harmonic Tuba 16' - 4' ; Tibia Clausa 16' - 2' ; Orchestral Oboe 8' ; Krumet 8' ; Vox Humana 8' ;
Marimba Harp ; Xylophone ; Glockenspiel ; Cathedral Chimes ; Sleigh Bells ; Non-tonal Percussions, Traps and Effects

Soon to be reonnected to this organ are a Beale piano, controlled from the console, and Vibraphone function to the Chrysoglott.