The Dairyland Theatre Organ Society (DTOS) is committed to preserving and performing on theatre pipe organs in Wisconsin. Since 1969, we have celebrated the power and artistry of these remarkable instruments, which have a rich history that spans from their golden age accompanying silent films to their presence on contemporary concert stages.
Join us for an upcoming event and discover why audiences have been captivated by Wurlitzers, Bartons, and their cousins for nearly a century.
You don't need to play organ to be part of our community—just a love for great music! Become a member today!
Join us for an upcoming event and discover why audiences have been captivated by Wurlitzers, Bartons, and their cousins for nearly a century.
You don't need to play organ to be part of our community—just a love for great music! Become a member today!
Walt Strony performing at the Riverside Wurlitzer during the 2025 ATOS Convention. This organ is club-owned and an original installation.
Upcoming Events:
THIS WEEKEND! March 14, 2 pm: Carma Labs - Open to the Public
Mark Herman, Featured Artist
Carmex Warehouse, 9750 South Franklin Drive, Franklin, WI, 53132
March 29, 3 pm: Silent Film “King of Kings” 1927 at Carma Labs (Franklin) - Open to the Public
Mike Jacklin, Featured Artist
Carmex Warehouse, 9750 South Franklin Drive, Franklin, WI, 53132
May 31, 12 pm: Organ Piper Pizza, (Greenfield) - Open to the public
Dave Wickerham, Featured Artist
4353 S. 108th St, Greenfield, WI, 53228
Doors open for lunch at noon, and the concert starts at 1:00 pm.
The ticket price of $30 per person at the door includes pizza, soda, and the concert.
Mark Herman, Featured Artist
Carmex Warehouse, 9750 South Franklin Drive, Franklin, WI, 53132
March 29, 3 pm: Silent Film “King of Kings” 1927 at Carma Labs (Franklin) - Open to the Public
Mike Jacklin, Featured Artist
Carmex Warehouse, 9750 South Franklin Drive, Franklin, WI, 53132
May 31, 12 pm: Organ Piper Pizza, (Greenfield) - Open to the public
Dave Wickerham, Featured Artist
4353 S. 108th St, Greenfield, WI, 53228
Doors open for lunch at noon, and the concert starts at 1:00 pm.
The ticket price of $30 per person at the door includes pizza, soda, and the concert.
February: Jonas Residence | Jelani Eddington
Jelani brings life to the movie.
The aroma of popcorn filled the air as members of DTOS gathered at the Jonas home for a special event: a silent film screening with live organ accompaniment.
Jelani Eddington brought Harold Lloyd's 1925 comedy classic, The Freshman, to life on a historic 1928 Wurlitzer organ, which once entertained audiences at San Francisco's El Capitan Theatre.
As attendees listened to the sound rising through the brass grilles in the floor from the pipes below, they experienced silent cinema as it was meant to be both seen and heard.
Learn more about this exciting event!
Jelani Eddington brought Harold Lloyd's 1925 comedy classic, The Freshman, to life on a historic 1928 Wurlitzer organ, which once entertained audiences at San Francisco's El Capitan Theatre.
As attendees listened to the sound rising through the brass grilles in the floor from the pipes below, they experienced silent cinema as it was meant to be both seen and heard.
Learn more about this exciting event!
December: Jonas Residence | Donnie Rankin
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From a warehouse to a private residence, members of DTOS gathered at the home of Ryan and Lindsay Jonas for their annual Christmas Program with Donnie Rankin at the console.
Along with some festive holiday selections on the organ, Donnie used the record-and-playback system to play two duets for us on the piano as the organ played back previously recorded pieces he had recorded ahead of the program. |
November: Carma Labs | Alex Jones
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We were blown away by the response to our November program, with nearly 600 people in attendance!
Alex Jones did a wonderful job performing for us on the Carma Labs organ. As he mentioned in his remarks, the largest organ he has played for and the largest crowd! If you look closely at the photo, the club-owned Regal Barton is on the racks in the back. |
A great crowd came to see organist Alex Jones.
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October: Silent Film at the Oriental Theatre
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We were thrilled to partner with Milwaukee Film again to screen "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1923) at the Milwaukee Oriental Theatre. Organist Dennis Scott from Chicago accompanied the film.
This event provided a fantastic opportunity to experience the theatre pipe organ as it was originally intended—accompanying a silent film! |
September: Doors Open MKE & East Troy Railroad Museum
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We had a blast with Doors Open Milwaukee this year, showing off two instruments!
On Saturday, September 27th, we helped show off the world's largest symphonic theatre organ at Carma Labs to almost 2,000 people... in one day!! On Sunday, we visited the Riverside Theatre to showcase our club-owned Wurlitzer, the last original theatre organ installation in a Milwaukee theatre. Amid all the excitement, we also hosted a social event at the East Troy Railroad Museum, where member Gary K. showcased his Yamaha ELX-1 and played it before the departure of the Dinner Train. |
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August: Summer Picnic | Alex Swanson
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Perfect weather prevailed for the annual DTOS summer picnic this year. About 70 people came to Cornue’s shop in Lake Geneva. With grill master Mike Jacklin and helpers grilling burgers, the smell of good food wafted through the air.
Everything came together for a great afternoon. At John Cornue’s 4/31 organ this year was Alex Swanson, from Fargo, ND. Alex is an accomplished classical and theatre organist. Alex did a great job using all 31 available ranks, making good use of many of the colors, and, once in a while, tastefully showing off the power of this instrument, which it has plenty of! Especially with the organ console’s combination action not yet operational, Alex made his way around the console with ease, hand-registering all of his music. That’s no easy or low-stress job, especially when playing a program. But Alex made it look easy! Thank you, Alex, for playing a great program! |
July: ATOS Annual Convention
After 20 years, DTOS once again hosted the American Theatre Organ Society for their annual convention, here in Milwaukee.
Approximately 260 people from 4 countries enjoyed 2-3 concerts per day for an entire week of fun! Below is a sampling of photos taken throughout the week.
We want to extend our thanks to all who joined us, especially the committee that worked tirelessly for over 2 years to ensure the convention's success!
Approximately 260 people from 4 countries enjoyed 2-3 concerts per day for an entire week of fun! Below is a sampling of photos taken throughout the week.
We want to extend our thanks to all who joined us, especially the committee that worked tirelessly for over 2 years to ensure the convention's success!
June: Bieck Ice Cream Social | Ben Forsthoffer
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It was a wonderful Sunday afternoon at the home of Gary and Nancy Bieck, as around 70 DTOS members and guests enjoyed the warm weather and the sounds of their always-stunning 3/19 Wurlitzer.
Although it was quite warm outside, many guests toured Gary’s stunning flower gardens located behind the home before settling into the air-conditioned music room for the afternoon program. We were thrilled to welcome a new face to DTOS in the form of Ben Forsthoffer, coming to us from Pennsylvania. At only 18 years old, Ben’s playing displays the kind of technique, precision, musicality, and flair normally reserved for players much his senior. Thank you, Gary and Nancy, for hosting us once again! |
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May: Datz Social | Steve Datz / Open Console
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On Sunday, May 18th, it was well worth the drive to the home of Steve and Ellen Datz in Grafton for the May DTOS social, featuring an organ program played by Steve.
The setting for enjoying his music could not have been more lovely. Steve has three Yamaha instruments in his home. The CHX-1 console organ, HX-1 console organ, and Clavinova Piano. The music from Steve's Yamaha CHX-1 console organ was great as he performed for us. Thank you, Steve and Ellen, for hosting us! |
April: Organ Piper | Zach Frame
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We returned to Organ Piper Pizza in Greenfield for an all-you-can-eat pizza and soda buffet, coupled with a concert!
Members enjoyed Zach Frame's talents on the Wurlitzer for an afternoon of music. Thanks to the Paikowski family for their hospitality! |
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March: Carma Labs Social | Justin Stahl
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We sure had fun as Justin Stahl entertained a full house (167!) for the DTOS March social yesterday at Carma Labs.
Justin was particularly attentive to the many first-timers in the audience, demonstrating and explaining the tonal scope and the diverse array of effects this magnificent organ can deliver so capably. He then presented a varied and colorful program that fully exploited all of those resources. If you weren't there, you missed out on a particularly memorable performance. Make sure you follow us here and mark future events on your calendars! |
February: Oriental Theatre | Jelani Eddington
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Saturday evening, February 22nd, was a fun time at the Oriental Theatre on North Farwell Ave in Milwaukee.
More than 300 people gathered in the main auditorium to experience the screening of a classic silent comedy entitled “The Cameraman,” starring the legendary Buster Keaton. This showing was a part of Dairyland’s partnership with Milwaukee Film, which started last fall with the showing of the classic, “The Phantom of the Opera,” accompanied by organist Jay Warren. This time, the film was accompanied by Dairyland’s own Jelani Eddington. |
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Geneva Theatre ProjectWe are excited to install our club-owned original Style H Wurlitzer at the Geneva Theatre in downtown Lake Geneva, Wisconsin!
Click here for more information! |