A Welcome Reprieve: An Afternoon of Organ Music with DTOS

The current Allen Console

After several days of severe weather across Wisconsin — rain, flooding, and tornadoes — it was a welcome reprieve to gather for an afternoon of live organ music. Kurt Schlieter graciously opened his "game room" to DTOS members, and the space itself was half the experience.

Guests arriving for the first time are greeted by a row of pinball machines, then turn to discover a stage set with a Hammond B3 and other instruments, and finally the organ console. Looking up, you'll see two-tone openings, one on each side of the stage, that evoke the faux balconies used by theatres of a bygone era — a charming detail that transports you back in time.
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The organ is a one-of-a-kind instrument. Kurt uses samples from the George Wright organ, played through an older 3-manual Allen theatre organ console. Each stop on the console plays true to its stop name, yet produces the other rich tones of the Wright Wurlitzer organ rather than those of the Allen. The original Wright organ has one more manual and nearly twice as many stops — stops not found on the Allen's rail can be accessed via the pistons. Each rank has its own amplifier and pair of speakers, and Kurt voiced the entire instrument to recreate the sound he remembered from his youth at the Avalon Theatre. 

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Kurt is setting up the afternoon and introducing Greg.

The artist of the day was Greg Owen, joining us from Nebraska. He opened the show with the Air Force March, dedicated to DTOS member and veteran Tom Gaulke — a thoughtful gesture that set the tone for the afternoon. Greg's program ranged widely and warmly — from the Beatles' "Yesterday" to "Un bel dì, vedremo" from Puccini's Madama Butterfly (1904), along with beloved theater organ standards and classical repertoire, including Percy Fletcher's delicate Fountain Reverie — given new life through the full resources of a theatre organ. For a few numbers, Greg stepped over to the Hammond B3 on stage, adding another dimension to the afternoon. His passion came through in every piece.

Greg Own at the Hammond B3Greg Own playing the Hammond B3.

Afterward, about fifteen members who enjoyed the show gathered for treats, snacks, free-play pinball, and conversation with fellow theatre-organ enthusiasts — an intimate group that made the afternoon feel even more special.
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Thanks to Kurt for hosting and to Greg for an enjoyable musical afternoon, free of the nasty weather we had the days before.