The Good News is that the blower has finally been delivered and should be installed soon.
The two original blowers for the organ were removed in March to prepare for the installation of a larger, single blower having greater wind capacity. Originally, the rebuild of one of the existing blower and its reinstallation was supposed to be completed in three weeks; however, a work backlog and other issues at the Washington state firm doing the rebuild resulted in the five month delay in the completion of the work. The rebuilt blower was shipped back to Phoenix the last week of August and was delivered this past Tuesday.
Next is coordinating the re-installation date with the Orpheum management. Once the installation has been completed, the organ will regulated and tuned, something that has not been done since 2008. If all goes according to plan, the Orpheum's Mighty Wurlitzer, tuned and regulated with its improved wind supply and new Uniflex relay will make its public debut at Silent Sundays October 23rd. Ron Rhode will put it through its paces when he provides the accompaniment for Alfred Hitchcock's silent film thriller, The Lodger. You'll want to be there to hear it.
Chapter members will be receiving their Silent Sundays 25% ticket discount codes via email in the next several days. If you're not a chapter member, becoming one can more than pay for itself on discounted tickets to Silent Sundays, other chapter events, and on items in our store.