The Thomaston Opera House, Thomaston, CT

Broadway Shows, Theatre Organ Pre-Shows, Theatre Organ Pop Concerts

Built in 1884, the Thomaston Opera House serves as a cultural and educational center for the Town of Thomaston and its surrounding communities. Once inside one cannot help but admire the beautiful craftsmanship found throughout the auditorium. These are not the only attributes of the Thomaston Opera House though. Many of its recent accolades are for the community and regional-based theatre presented throughout the year. 

Part of enjoying a special evening at the Thomaston Opera House is listening to House Organist, Juan Cardona Jr, play a pre-show concert for the audience prior to the stage show. Juan makes sure he blends a mix of music from the highlights both the golden era of the silent films with more popular Broadway tunes, all using the high-wind pressure pipe ranks and orchestra instruments pneumatically (and for the piano, digitally attached) controlled at the console.

The Connecticut Valley Theatre Organ Society (CVTOS), a member chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS), maintains this instrument, as well as an Austin Theatre Pipe Organ currently undergoing a console rebuild that is housed at the Shelton High School. A number of fine AGO Concert Organists also are Pops Theatre Organists. CVTOS holds Pops Concerts usually 2 times a year at its venues at the Thomaston Opera House and at the Shelton High School, in Shelton, CT. 

About Our Program

Demonstration of the Marr & Colton III/15 rank Theatre Organ, Accompany a Silent Film, Open Bench

We have asked Thomaston Opera House Juan Cardona Jr to give you a demonstration of the theatre pipe organ, go over the Marr & Colton stoplist and how the theatre pipe organ is different from its brother the church or classic pipe organ. Juan will also demonstrate the wide range of sounds and music you can get from an organ that has far less ranks then a classic pipe organ yet has a dramatic range of color, especially when using the many orchestra traps.

David Harris will then recreate for our POE audience the art of accompanying a 1920's silent film short. He'll give you an idea of how you register the organ for this favorite novelty and then you'll see him at work....all extemporaneous.

Finally, your chance. See how the big tremulants work. Try the many buttons and traps while playing. See how the "second touch" keyboard is used to "goose" your expression. CVTOS volunteers will be around to let your tour this instrument. Learn more about the Marr & Colton history and stoplist.

Help Maintain And Play The Theatre Organ

Connecticut Valley Theatre Organ Society, Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society

Similar in many ways to the American Guild of Organists, the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS), with local chapters throughout the United States, maintains for the enjoyment of fellow members and concert recitalists, theatre pipe organs. They too have a young organists summer camp. If you would like to learn more about membership in our local chapter of ATOS, the Connecticut Valley Theatre Organ Society (CVTOS), please speak with one of our CVTOS members Juan Cardona Jr, Juan Cardona Sr, David Harris, or John Polo.