TOSDV – A Short History
First organized on July 31, 1955 under the name the “Eastern Chapter” of the American Association of Theater Organ Enthusiasts (now known as ATOS, the American Theatre Organ Society) the organization was the second chapter to be formed under the national organization. Throughout its 70-year history, our society, now officially designated as “TOSDV”, the “Theatre Organ Society of the Delaware Valley”, has engaged in numerous activities and projects aimed toward both the preservation and presentation of the theatre organ instrument, and its music.
In the early years, the chapter’s territory involved a vast area as its original name “Eastern Chapter” implies. As the national organization grew, the Chapter was unable to serve a membership that spread over such a very wide area. Consequently, the Chapter was instrumental in the birth of numerous new ATOS chapters in Southeast New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Due to the efforts of the Chapter and its offspring, many fine theatre organs have been rescued from destruction and are now being enjoyed by enthusiastic audiences. We all work to bring a nearly hundred-year-old musical instrument into the current listening scene. A pipe organ may have evolved, but it still is powered by air, exactly as it was hundreds of years ago.
With the preservation and restoration of these instruments, many of the world’s finest theatre organists have been able to keep this art alive. As a result, there has been a re-awakening of the musical art form among many younger musicians.
The Theatre Organ Society of the Delaware Valley currently owns and maintains two instruments. In the early 1960s it began to restore a three manual nineteen rank Moller theatre pipe organ at the Sedgwick Theatre in the Mount airy section of Philadelphia. When the theatre closed, the chapter purchased the instrument, and later installed it in the Keswick Theatre in Glenside , PA. In its present location the instrument has been used to present numerous concerts and programs through the years. As a result of its age and condition, however, the organ is presently going through a thorough restoration by TOSDV members, and is not currently being presented to the public.
In August 2003, TOSDV became the owner of a three manual, 23 rank Wurlitzer theater pipe organ. The organ was completely restored, increased to 24 ranks, and installed in the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, PA. It is kept in concert ready condition by TOSDV members.
Our annual programming schedule at the Colonial Wurlitzer presently includes three silent movies with organ accompaniment, three all music concerts featuring some of the finest organists on the circuit, and an end of year holiday concert.
The chapter is enthusiastically supported by both theatres and with the cooperation and the support of its members, TOSDV hopes to keep this art form alive and well into the future.