Day 2 of the American Theatre Organ Society’s annual convention brought another day filled with great music and organs.   Our Strand still is the topic of conversations, but we are not alone.    We have friends in Georgia that are restoring their Strand Theatre.   Georgia board member Ron C. spoke at length about the similarities in our projects.    You can check out their progress on their VERY good website:  www.friendsofthestrand.com     

The first concert featured Scott Foppiano on the Hedback Theatre Page/Wurlitzer owned by CIC-ATOS.    Scott played a wide variety of music on this fine 11 rank instrument.    The audience had quite the surprise when Scott was joined by the Indy Pride Jazz Band for 3 numbers.    The Pride band had Strand friends Jason Y. and Cletus G. (sitting in for vacationing Strand Board Member Kurt S.)    The jazz band and organ sounded great.   We are working on booking the Indy Pride Jazz Band into the Strand…it will be fun.    Below is the Hedback Page Console:

After a short break all 525 conventioneers loaded up the busses and headed to Vigo County and the Indiana Theatre in Terre Haute.    The Indiana Theatre was designed by famed theatre architect John Eberson.    CIC-ATOS has a Wurlitzer scheduled to be installed in the Indiana, but it was not ready for the convention.    The Allen Organ Company brought in their brand new "Walt Strony" 4 manual instrument.    This digital instrument was played skillfully by Mr. Strony.    The Indiana is a beautiful theatre, and the Strand volunteers know all to well the work that it will take to restore it to its former glory.   The Indiana’s owner is committed to the success and survival of that beautiful venue.    Below is a console picture of the digital Allen: