2017-04-19 - Originally in Loew's Plaza Theatre, Corona, Queens, New York. Moved in 1978 to Chaminade High School by Bob Atkins, Bro. Robert Lahey, and Ken Ladner, who cleaned it up, and configured it to fit into the new chambers constructed in the balcony by Brother Bob's fellow Marianists. At this time they installed a Peterson Diode Matrix relay and eventually a solid-state combination action.<br> <br> The organ was dedicated in June of 1980, coinciding with the fiftieth anniversary of the school. Shortly thereafter, the crew decided that the "straight" church console that Austin had used was not proper for a true theatre organ; they acquired the console of the 1928 Robert Morton organ in the RKO Keith's Richmond Hill Theatre.<br> <br> The console required major rebuilding in order to facilitate additional stop tabs and some missing pieces. Over the years a number of ranks were either replaced or added, including a Wurlitzer Tibia Clausa, a Morton Post Horn, a 16' Morton wood Diaphone, and a solo scale Barton Tibia Clausa. A full battery of tuned and untuned percussions, as well as several additional tremulants, made the instrument much more complete. The most recent renovation included replacing the original 1927 Austin chests with new wind chests from Organ Supply Industries.<br> <br> Friends and family have come to expect the sound of the Chaminade organ before practically every event held in Darby Auditorium. Additionally, NYTOS has had many concerts at Chaminade featuring a long list of both well-known and up-and-coming artists. Silent films are especially successful because the theatre is well equipped with state-of-the-art projectors, sound, and lighting. -Database Manager
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