 A Film Classic Meets Musical ArtistryOn a spring-like Palm Sunday afternoon, more than 200 people gathered at the Carma Labs Warehouse in Franklin, Wisconsin, for an event that combined cinema, concert, and community celebration. The occasion was a screening of Cecil B. DeMille's King of Kings — and thanks to the exceptional talents of organist Mike Jacklin, it was everything a silent film event should be. Mike Jacklin, DTOS Secretary and a talented musician with decades of experience in church and theatre organ music, sat at the console of the stunning 4/90 Symphonic Theatre Organ for the entire afternoon. True to his reputation, he bookended the event with top-tier musical selections. He started with Arthur Sullivan's beloved The Lost Chord, a piece whose longing, reflective quality set a perfect tone for the afternoon, and finished with the thunderous Toccata from Widor's 5th Organ Symphony — a triumphant and fitting ending that left the audience energized. At the heart of the program was the 1928 version of DeMille's 1927 classic, King of Kings. Inspired by the film's original 1928 soundtrack, Mike blended his own original compositions with a selection of beloved hymns to create a smooth and emotionally stirring accompaniment. One of the highlights was how he integrated the Palm Sunday hymn All Glory Laud and Honor as the film depicted Jesus entering Jerusalem. Throughout the film, Mike displayed the full expressive range of the Carma Labs organ. In quieter, tender moments, he used delicate, hushed stops so subtle that they required careful listening to fully appreciate. As the story built toward the Crucifixion, he unleashed the organ's full power — with rumbling 32' pedal stops and commanding reeds filling the warehouse with a sound that audiences didn't just hear but also felt. It served as a visceral reminder of why the theatre organ was designed to accompany silent films. The afternoon highlighted what DTOS excels at: uniting music, history, and community in a way that is both approachable and profoundly memorable. For many attendees, it might have been their first encounter with a silent film accompanied by live organ music — and if so, what an outstanding introduction. We are grateful to Paul Woelbing, one of the co-owners of Carmex, for providing this instrument and space for us. Want More Afternoons Like This One Events like this rely on the dedicated members of the Dairyland Theatre Organ Society. DTOS welcomes everyone who loves the theatre pipe organ—whether you're a player, enjoy restoration work, or simply love listening. For just $35 a year (or $65 for a family membership), you get our monthly newsletter The Bartola, invitations to chapter socials and events, and the opportunity to participate in projects like the ongoing Wurlitzer Opus 1224 Style H restoration. It's a fantastic community, and there's a place for you in it. Join DTOS today at dtoswi.org/membership.html
0 Comments
 What a wonderful afternoon it was! The Dairyland Theatre Organ Society was treated to a truly spectacular concert featuring the remarkable Mark Herman, who took the audience on an unforgettable musical journey spanning over a century of beloved repertoire. From the stately elegance of Arthur Sullivan to the sweeping cinematic grandeur of John Williams, and so much in between, Mark demonstrated why he is considered one of the most captivating theatre organists performing today.  Somewhere Over the Keys…One of the standout moments of the afternoon was a selection of music from The Wizard of Oz, which had both members and guests grinning from ear to ear. Mark showcased his remarkable ability to bring these timeless melodies to life, utilizing the organ’s extensive range of tones. Each piece in the medley felt both familiar and refreshing.  The Showstopper: “The Lost Chord”If there was one moment that left the entire audience breathless, it was Mark’s stunning recreation of Tom Hazleton’s legendary arrangement of Arthur Sullivan's “The Lost Chord.” He aimed to evoke the experience of hearing the Barton organ in Chicago Stadium during the 1985 American Theatre Organ Convention. Starting with the softest stops, Mark skillfully coaxed the organ through a breathtaking crescendo, building measure by measure until almost every rank was resonating in its full glory. The power and artistry on display were nothing short of magnificent, and the sustained applause that followed spoke volumes. The concert attracted an enthusiastic audience of about 325 DTOS members and guests, showcasing the enduring love for the theatre organ and the allure of a world-class performer. We want to thank Paul for sharing this space with us!  If You Missed The Concert...Not Yet a Member? Here’s Why You Should Join!If you attended as a guest and found yourself wishing the afternoon would never end, we have great news: it doesn’t have to! By becoming a member of the Dairyland Theatre Organ Society, you can enjoy a world of extraordinary music and connect with a welcoming community.
As a member, you’ll enjoy: • Exclusive social events for members only — intimate gatherings with fellow enthusiasts and performers. • A warm and welcoming community that shares your passion for the King of Instruments. Don't miss out on moments like "The Lost Chord." Join the Dairyland Theatre Organ Society today and be part of something truly special! Remember, you do not need to be an organist to join!  After sunset on February 13, 2026, members of the Dairyland Theatre Organ Society gathered at the Jonas home for a special event: a silent film accompanied by live organ music in a private residence. Jelani Eddington brought the 1925 comedy The Freshman to life on the home's historic theatre pipe organ, with sound resonating through the floor from the pipes below. This event brought together people from the Dairyland Theatre Organ Society and the Preserve Music Foundation. Ryan, our club president, and his wife are also part of the Preserve Music Foundation. Together, we had a great time! We walked into the home that smelled of popcorn, a great way to get in the movie mood. Before the event, we enjoyed popcorn, sweet treats, and good conversation. We want to thank our hosts, the Jonas family, for opening their home and sharing their hospitality with us. Jelani played a number to get us in the mood, then chatted about the film before heading right into it. He did a great job bringing this wonderful comedy to life. The organ, in capable hands, can draw people into the movie without stealing the show, and Jelani did that for those in attendance. About the Organ  Looking into Jonas' music room at the organ and piano. The Wurlitzer Style 230 SP is a 3-manual, 12-rank organ that began its remarkable journey as Opus 1871. It was shipped on April 20, 1928, and installed in San Francisco's El Capitan Theatre for the grand opening on June 29, 1928. There, it accompanied silent films and vaudeville acts in the 3,100-seat venue. After the theatre closed in 1957, the organ passed through several residences and theatres in California before being placed in storage in Indiana in 2005. The organ found its permanent home in rural Wisconsin in October 2021, when the Jonases installed it in a house built specifically for it. The instrument features 12 ranks of pipes totaling 888 pipes, seven percussion instruments (including xylophone, glockenspiel, and marimba), and 23 sound effects, ranging from a bird whistle to tuned beer bottles. The sound rises from the chamber below through brass grills salvaged from a historic Chicago Stop & Shop store, filling the music room with the rich tones that once entertained San Francisco moviegoers nearly a century ago. You can learn more about the organ's fascinating history and full specifications at jonaswurlitzer.com. About the Movie  The Freshman (1925) is a silent comedy starring Harold Lloyd as Harold Lamb, an earnest young man who heads to Tate University dreaming of campus popularity. Inspired by a movie character, he adopts the nickname "Speedy" and a signature greeting jig, convinced it will win friends. The "College Cad" makes Harold the butt of campus-wide pranks while Harold remains blissfully oblivious, with Peggy, his landlady's daughter, as his only real friend. Harold becomes the football team's water boy, believing he's actually on the squad. The film's most famous sequence features the Fall Frolic dance, in which Harold's suit—held together only by basting stitches—gradually falls apart as a tailor frantically repairs it from a side room. Harold ultimately finds redemption in the championship football game, scoring the winning touchdown and earning genuine popularity and Peggy's heart. Lloyd's biggest box-office hit of the 1920s, the film helped spark a wave of college comedies and was selected for the National Film Registry in 1990. About the Artist  Jelani is sharing with us information about the film and the upcoming experience. R. Jelani Eddington is a renowned concert organist and pianist celebrated for his performances on the theatre pipe organ. At 13, he became the youngest winner of the American Theatre Organ Society's Young Theatre Organist Competition. Eddington has produced over 30 albums and performed at numerous ATOS conventions. His rendition of John Williams' Star Wars Symphonic Suite has garnered over 3.4 million views on YouTube. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Indiana University. He earned a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School, and currently practices law in Wisconsin while continuing to perform and teach theatre organ worldwide.  Jelani Eddington dazzled the crowd with his outstanding film accompaniment. A few more photosAre you a member? The Dairyland Theatre Organ Society enjoys sharing the theatre organ with others, but a benefit of membership is attending special events like this one! Nothing compares to participating in these smaller gatherings.
Thank you for being a member! We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events. If you're not yet a member, you can join! You don't need to own or even play the organ to join our ranks. We don't even have a special handshake! All that's required is a love of these instruments, completing a form, and paying the membership fee. Join us online here / Discover more about membership options. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |
RSS Feed