The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Association (ISOA) and the Central Indiana Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society (CICATOS) have announced their theatre organ fundraiser “Remember the Paramount – Then and Now.”
The event will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 in the Hilbert Circle Theatre. This concert – the fourth in a series of fundraisers highlighting the capabilities of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ – will feature Indianapolis theatre organist Justin Stahl and introduce guest ISO Side-by-Side student musicians and their mentors.
Tickets are $35 for adults and free for those aged 18 and under free (with appropriate ID). Click here to purchase tickets.
Paramount Music Palace (PMP) organist Ken Double will serve as master of ceremonies and demonstrate the original purpose of the “unit orchestra” as he accompanies the 1920 Buster Keaton silent film comedy One Week.
Featured artist Justin Stahl grew up going to the Paramount Music Palace listening and “learning” from the original organists Bill Vlasak, Donna Parker, Ken Double, and Dwight Thomas. This was after discovering a Bill Vlasak/Donna Parker album in his great-grandfather’s record collection and learning that the PMP was on the east side of Indianapolis.
Stahl was positively influenced by theatre organ icon Bill Vlasak who possessed a unique style of registering (setting stops) for the organ and was noted for his clever, entertaining arrangements. He also found inspiration, mentorship, and collaboration in the form of Hilbert Circle Theatre house organist Martin Ellis.
When asked about the artistic goal for this performance, Stahl said he hopes attendees will say, “I can’t believe you played that on the organ” or “you’ve gotten sounds out of that instrument I’ve never heard.” With Stahl’s love of jazz, he will rely on its timeless qualities to keep material for “Remember the Paramount – Then and Now” relevant and entertaining. He also intends to focus on more modern music than the traditional theatre organist since it highlights the instrument’s versatility.
Stahl, a professional keyboardist and theatre organist who has played the Mighty Wurlitzer for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration for 13 years, will treat attendees to theatre organ selections from Then and Now and collaborate with our guest ISO Side-by-Side student musicians to showcase their unique talents.
Proceeds from “Remember the Paramount – Then and Now” will support ISOA’s Side-by-Side educational program that offers high school students an opportunity to perform side-by-side with ISO counterparts during a featured concert. CIC-ATOS proceeds will help fund the continued superb functioning and upkeep of ISO’s Wurlitzer Theatre Organ.
The performance begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. For information regarding the safety and security policies of the Hilbert Circle Theatre, go to indianapolissymphony.org.
About Justin Stahl
Justin Stahl began playing piano and organ at age five with the encouragement of his great-grandfather, who noticed an early aptitude for picking out melodies by ear. His passion for music began self-taught and flourished into many avenues that have included teaching choral music, vocal and instrumental arranging/directing, and accompanying. In addition to his active civilian musical career, Justin has served in the Indiana Army National Guard’s 38th Infantry Division Band for over twenty-two years filling several roles such as rehearsal/guest conductor, arranger, jazz band and other small ensemble leader, senior instrumentalist, and drum major.
In the theatre organ scene, Justin has been active around the USA and Australia. He has had a long-standing engagement with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and their Wurlitzer Pipe Organ, which has included the last thirteen productions of the AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration; a Broadway-quality Christmas show where the pipe organ is prominently featured. Justin’s experiences as a collaborative musician have enabled him to further promote the cause of theatre organ by incorporating vocalists, instrumentalists, and full ensembles into performances, as well as stretch traditional boundaries with modern music. An Indiana native and long-time educator, Justin, currently serves as a choral director at Pike High School in Indianapolis.
About Ken Double
In the 1980s and 90s, Ken Double was a well-known sportscaster: WRTV 6, Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Ice, Purdue University basketball and the Indy 500 Radio Network. Organ lessons while growing up in Chicago helped develop a passion for the music of the theatre pipe organ. He was often found on the bench at the Paramount Music Palace; performing concerts at Long Center in Lafayette for more than 40 years; touring to play across the country; and for 10 years was the national President of the American Theatre Organ Society. Ken is thrilled to once again be a part of this special concert event.